Landfill
Landfill is the disposal of waste into or onto
land. Today, landfill sites are constructed and operated to strict
technical standards in order to reduce environmental effects. In
2005 there were 190 landfill sites in operation in Scotland.
Most types of waste may be disposed of via
landfill; however the EU Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC1 requires
that Landfill sites must now be classified as either hazardous,
nonhazardous, or inert. Reducing the amount of waste to landfill is
currently being encouraged by the Landfill Directive to recover
value from waste and develop more sustainable waste management.
When waste is received it is weighed and checked
to ensure it is compliant with its landfill operating licence. It
is then tipped into the landfill, compacted and covered to prevent
odour, litter, and pest infestations. The waste will then be
gradually decomposed by microbes. This decomposition process, mixed
with rainwater creates leachates and gas, which are both taken out
of the landfill through a system of pipes. The leachates are then
usually taken for treatment, while the gas, mainly a mix of carbon
dioxide and methane, may be burnt off or used in an on-site energy
generation plant which contributes energy to the national grid.
When landfill has reached maximum capacity it is covered completely
with an engineered cap, e.g. using clay and restored using soils or
other covering materials so that the sites can be used for
agriculture, amenities or nature conservation.
Application Forms:
Technical Guidance:
Landfill Gas Management:
Monitoring:
Engineering (Lining and Capping):
Hydrogeological Risk Assessment:
Financial Provision:
Waste Acceptance and Disposal:
Habitats Guidance :