Landfills are specialized structures designed to minimize the effects of trash on human health and the environment by reducing contamination of the surrounding soil or water. Due to updated regulations and better understanding of science, modern landfills have come a long way in the last few decades!
While there are several types of landfills. The garbage picked up at your curb each week is destined for the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) in Winnebago County, IL. MSWLF landfills are specifically designed to receive nonhazardous household and commercial waste.
How are these landfills created and managed?
Landfills are mostly compressed layers of trash and soil. According to the EPA, modern landfills are completely sealed to reduce contamination of the nearby groundwater. To do this, first, the ground is lined with clay then a thin layer of flexible plastic is placed on top of the clay layer. As trash is dumped, creating a pile, it is compacted into a dense mound. Each day a layer of soil is used to cover the garbage. This helps to prevent odor and rodent problems. The flexible plastic layer of the landfill allows the collection of leachate, the liquid that passes through the landfill that may draw toxins from the trash. The leachate is collected though a drainage system that leads to a pool where it can be treated to remove the toxins before being released back into the environment. When a landfill is full and needs to be closed, it is sealed with another layer of clay and thin plastic. Then it is covered with several feet of soil so that plants can grow on top.
Last year SWANCC member communities contributed approximately 250,000 tons of garbage to the Winnebago Landfill. This is a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill that opened in 1972. The Winnebago landfill uses gas-to-energy processing. This allows the conversion of naturally occurring landfill gas into clean renewable energy. In addition, the liquids that are collected from the drainage system are treated at our modern wastewater treatment facility in Rockford.
For addition information, please use the following links:
EPA: Basic Information about Landfills
EPA: Information About Landfill Gas
EPA: Municipal Solid Waste Landfills