Landfills: How We Got Here and Where We Are Going

Garbage Storage.

Landfills are sites designed to store garbage. They are designed to minimize the effects of the trash on human health and the environment. But how did landfills come to be and what are their impacts on our planet?

The Origins of Landfills.

Landfills have existed for over 5,000 years. Archaeological evidence of landfills dates back to 3000 BC in Crete, where waste was deposited in pits that were subsequently covered up with earth when full¹. Ancient civilizations such as the Romans, Greeks, and Chinese also practiced landfilling as a way of disposing of their waste.

However, these early landfills were not very sanitary or safe. They often attracted pests and diseases, emitted foul odors and gases, and contaminated the soil and water. They also posed fire hazards and contributed to air pollution.

The Evolution of Landfills.

Landfill is the oldest and most common form of waste disposal, although the systematic burial of the waste with daily, intermediate and final covers only began in the 1940s³. In the past, refuse was simply left in piles or thrown into pits; in archeology this is known as a midden³.

The term landfill is usually shorthand for a municipal landfill or sanitary landfill. These facilities were first introduced early in the 20th century, but gained wide use in the 1960s and 1970s, in an effort to eliminate open dumps and other \"unsanitary\" waste disposal practices³.

Modern landfills are completely sealed to reduce contamination of the nearby groundwater. First, the ground is lined with clay. A thin layer of flexible plastic is placed on top of the clay layer. That allows the collection of leachate, the liquid that passes through the landfill and may draw out toxins from the trash. The leachate is collected though a drainage system that passes this contaminated water through pipes to a pool where it can be treated to remove the toxins before being released back into the environment².

As trash is laid down into the growing pile, it is compacted into a tightly packed mound. Each day a layer of soil is hauled into cover the garbage to prevent odors and rodent problems. Therefore, the landfill is mostly made up of compressed layers of trash and soil². A completed landfill is sealed with another layer of clay and thin plastic. Then it is covered with several feet of dirt so that plants can grow on top².

Although landfills are designed simply to contain the trash, some of it will decompose over time. The decomposition process produces methane, a dangerous and flammable gas. In modern landfills, the methane is collected in pipes so that it can be vented, burned, or even used as an energy source².

The Challenges of Landfills.

Although modern landfills are designed to keep toxic trash contained, leaks do happen. Therefore, landfills are still dangerous to the environment and human health. The methane that is released due to the decomposing waste is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change². The air pollutants escaping from the landfill can also cause respiratory problems in people who live close to the landfill². And if the leachate leaks from landfills, it can bring toxins from the landfill into nearby groundwater supplies².

Studies have shown that landfills are more often constructed near low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. Due to this injustice, these people are more likely to experience the health risks associated with landfills².

The damages caused by landfills can be decreased by simply reducing our reliance on landfills. Recycling and composting reduce the amount of waste that has to be transported to landfills². 

The Future of Landfills.

Landfills are not a sustainable solution for waste management. They take up valuable land space, generate harmful emissions, and pose long-term risks for human health and environmental quality. As our population grows and our consumption increases, we need to find better ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle our waste.

Some alternatives to landfills include:

• Waste-to-energy: This process involves burning waste at high temperatures to produce electricity or heat. This reduces the volume of waste by up to 90% and prevents methane emissions from landfills. However, waste-to-energy also produces air pollutants and ash that need to be disposed of safely.
• Bioreactor landfills: These are landfills that are designed to enhance the biological decomposition of organic waste by adding moisture and oxygen. This accelerates the production and capture of methane, which can be used as a renewable energy source. Bioreactor landfills also reduce the leachate generation and the landfill lifespan. However, bioreactor landfills require more monitoring and maintenance than conventional landfills.
• Zero waste: This is a philosophy and a goal that aims to eliminate waste by designing products and systems that are durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable. Zero waste advocates for a circular economy, where materials are kept in use for as long as possible and then returned to nature or the production cycle. Zero waste requires a shift in consumer behavior, producer responsibility, and policy support.

Landfills have a long history, but they should not have a long future. We need to rethink our relationship with waste and adopt more sustainable practices that protect our planet and our health.

Source: 

(1) Landfills | Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/energy-government-and-defense-magazines/landfills.

(2) Landfill - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill.

(3) Landfills - National Geographic Society. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/landfills/.

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