A landfill is a place where waste is stacked and covered in an area to protect it from the environment and prevent the spread of odours and pests. Landfilling is a method of disposing of waste that is usually taken as a last resort when other methods such as recycling or recovery are not possible.

Landfills can be divided into:

• Leachate collection pits (for toxic waste)
• Non-leachate collection pits (for non-toxic waste)

A landfill usually consists of several layers, including a soil layer, a layer of waste and a layer of a covering material such as soil or asphalt to shield the waste from the environment. Landfills must be monitored regularly to ensure that they are functioning properly and do not pose a risk to the environment or human health.

Possible negative effects on the environment and health include the release of greenhouse gases, contamination of soil and water and the destruction of natural habitats. This is why landfill is increasingly being replaced by alternative methods such as waste prevention, reuse, recycling and recovery.

What are the alternatives to landfill?

There are several alternative methods of waste disposal that can be used instead of landfill, some of which include

• Waste prevention: by using sustainable materials and production methods and encouraging reuse and repair, the amount of waste that is generated can be reduced.
• Recycling: Waste and waste materials can be sorted, processed and transformed into new materials or products.
• Utilisation: Waste can be used as a source of energy, for example by incinerating it or converting it into biogas.
• Composting: Biological waste such as plant residues can be decomposed by microorganisms to convert it into fertiliser.
• Thermal utilisation: Waste is incinerated at high temperatures, the resulting energy is used and the remaining residues are landfilled.
• Biorecycling: The process of using biological waste, such as plant residues, as raw materials for biofuels, fertilisers and other products.

It is important to note that each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of method therefore depends on various factors such as the type of waste, local circumstances and technical possibilities.

A combination of different methods can in many cases be the best solution to manage waste effectively. It is important to develop a comprehensive waste strategy that combines waste prevention, reuse, recycling and other methods to minimise environmental impact and maximise resource efficiency.