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 :