Landfill
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
A landfill site – also be called a rubbish dump, dumping ground or tip – is a place that is used for the disposal of household and commercial waste (referred to as landfill if it cannot be re-used or recycled). The name derives from the final destination of the rubbish, which is burial, typically in a large hole, flowed by a covering layer, thereby filling the land. Landfill is the most traditional form of waste disposal and continues to be used in many parts of the world.
Many landfill sites are overwhelmed by the quantity of waste material deposited and the result is huge mountains of rubbish which can constitute a health hazard, in particular in countries were people are picking through the rubbish hoping to find something of value. Hazardous materials may also leach out of poorly controlled landfill sites, and when subject to earthquakes, they may suffer soil liquefaction if they are not suitably stabilised.
[edit] Sanitary landfills
The other end of the scale are landfills that are scientifically managed and involve sorting, treating and recycling whatever can be recycled. These are sometimes referred to as sanitary landfills where an engineered approach is adopted to separate, confine and treat the waste. Operated according to strict regulatory standards, they first came about in the 1960s and 1970s as a reaction to the untreated, open-dump-type of site. They rely on the aerobic decomposition of waste followed by decay in anaerobic stages involving the conversion of solid organic material into liquids and eventually a further change of state into components including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) gases.
[edit] Ground contamination
Landfills can have an adverse and deleterious effect on the landscape which can be minimised by limiting the landfill area and compacting to reduce the volume. When waste arrives at a site, it may, once unloaded, be spread by bulldozers to achieve a more compact, even distribution. Soil, woodchips or other green waste can also be used periodically as a covering medium.
However, rain falling on a landfill site can become contaminated as it passes through, dissolving soluble matter and picking-up insoluble particles. The resulting ‘leachate’ can cause pollution as it percolates through the ground. This can be prevented by the use of a continuous, impermeable barrier lining the ground, allowing the leachate to be collected and subjecting it to treatment.
[edit] Construction waste
Construction activities can generate large amounts of waste materials that then need to be disposed of. In addition, at the end of a building's life, it may be deconstructed or demolished, generating significant additional waste.
It is estimated that 32% of landfill waste comes from the construction and demolition of buildings, and 13% of products delivered to construction sites are sent directly to landfill without being used.
A study by Cardiff University found that 70–105 million tonnes of waste is created in the UK from demolishing buildings every year. An earlier estimate in 2008 suggested that the construction and demolition industry was responsible for 25 million tons of landfill waste – just in England.
In the UK, The 1996 Finance Act introduced a tax on waste disposal on all landfill sites registered in the UK. Exemption provisions for waste from contaminated land was phased out in April 2012.
See landfill tax for more information.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Bin blight.
- BREEAM Operational waste.
- Code for sustainable homes.
- Composting.
- Construction waste.
- Definition of waste: Code of practice.
- Disposal.
- Fill.
- Hire, reclaim and reuse scheme combats construction waste.
- Materials Management Plan (MMP).
- Mean lean green.
- Our waste, our resources: a strategy for England.
- Recyclable construction materials.
- Recycling.
- Site waste management plan.
Featured articles and news
Nominations sought for CIOB awards
Celebrating construction excellence in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
EPC consultation in context: NCM, SAP, SBEM and HEM
One week to respond to the consultation on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings framework.
CIAT Celebrates 60 years of Architectural Technology
Find out more #CIAT60 social media takeover.
The BPF urges Chancellor for additional BSR resources
To remove barriers and bottlenecks which delay projects.
Flexibility over requirements to boost apprentice numbers
English, maths and minimumun duration requirements reduced for a 10,000 gain.
A long term view on European heating markets
BSRIA HVAC 2032 Study.
Humidity resilience strategies for home design
Frequency of extreme humidity events is increasing.
National Apprenticeship Week 2025
Skills for life : 10-16 February
Update on the future of Grenfell Tower
Deputy Prime Minister decides for it be carefully taken down to the ground.
Ending decades of frustration, misinformation and distrust.
Essential tools in managing historically significant landscapes.
Classroom electrician courses a 'waste of money'
Say experts from the Electrical Contractors’ Association.
Wellbeing in Buildings TG 10/2025
BSRIA topic guide updates.
With brief background and WELL v2™.
From studies, to books to a new project, with founder Emma Walshaw.
Who, or What Does the Building Safety Act Apply To?
From compliance to competence in brief.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.