Landfills Management

Landfilling is one of the most widely employed methods for the disposal of municipal solid waste. It is applicable where enough land is available and costs are lower than other discharge methods. Depending on the capabilities of the community/city (financial, knowledge), we help design a very basic landfill or a high-tech bioreactor landfill. However, it must always be lined properly at the bottom to prevent groundwater pollution and a cover is needed to protect from insect breeding or wind erosion.

Health Aspects

A landfill protects community health only if it is well managed. We always emphasize good management including training and support for landfill workers and working together with resource recovery centers, toxic waste collectors, and local government.

Working Principle	Municipal solid waste (MSW) and faecal sludge are discharged in a lined and sealed landfill. At the end of each day it must be covered with soil. It is a pit in which trash is buried in layers, compacted and covered.
Capacity/Adequacy	It can be applied for small communities and big cities. As long as it is constructed and operated correctly, the risks to human health and the environment are low.
Performance	Bad if just a basic landfill, good if an engineered landfill.
Costs	A landfill is not the perfect solution but still one of the cheapest for developing countries and rural areas.
Self-help Compatibility	Engineered landfills need expert design and skilled operators.
O&M	A landfill must be managed properly to reduce any risks to the environment. Therefore skilled workers are required.
Reliability	Mostly reliable, but risks of leaching remain.
Main strength	An effective disposal method if managed well.
Main weakness	Mismanagement can lead to environmental pollution.