Landfills are the common destination for non recyclable or non reusable garbage. Quarrying can leave a void that can be filled with a landfill site, or a landfill site might be part of a land reclamation project. When it comes to disposing of trash, a landfill is the most common method, and it’s the oldest method as well. 

Landfills have long been the most frequent way to dispose of organised trash, and they still are in many parts of the world. As a waste management facility, some landfills are often used to store waste material for short periods of time, consolidate and move the waste, or treat it (for example, composting). 

Empty land is often turned into a landfill by excavating a huge pit and filling it in. To keep the trash from seeping into the earth, the hole is normally sealed with several layers of plastic, steel, or concrete.

Why is it necessary to have a landfill?

Landfills fill a major infrastructural void by handling the garbage generated by commercial and residential establishments. As the population grows, so does the amount of waste that is generated. General garbage still needs to be handled securely and effectively, despite increased recycling rates.

Landfills in Arizona

Republic Services Cactus Landfill

Waste is buried behind layers of earth or other cover materials at the Republic Services Cactus Landfill in Florence, Arizona, a solid waste disposal plant. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Arizona environmental departments regulate Florence’s landfills, dump sites, and rubbish dump. 

Trash disposal facilities must also be permitted by Arizona. Design, operations, and permitted waste streams of the Republic Services Cactus Landfill are determined by permit restrictions.

Deer Valley Landfill

Communities, businesses, and industries in the Phoenix metro region and the neighbouring cities can safely and conveniently dispose of construction and green waste at Deer Valley Landfill. In order to comply with government laws, this facility has been designed with environmental protection systems that meet or surpass those set by the government.

What are the environmental consequences of landfills?

Sites that house garbage dumps are unappealing. Furthermore, landfills are a major source of pollution and are related with a number of negative consequences in addition to the visual sore of growing piles of rubbish. Slow decay of garbage in landfills means it will be a concern for future generations.

The main problems with landfills are that they release toxins, leachate, and greenhouse gases. Bacteria in organic garbage cause garbage to break down. Leachate and landfill gas are created when weak acidic compounds produced by rotting garbage interact with waste liquids. Additionally, rat and seagull infestations cause their own waste concerns due to the scents, unattractive sights, and rat populations.

Toxins

Toxic chemicals can be found in many waste products. One such example is electronic garbage. There is a large list of harmful compounds in electronic waste such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium and PVC as well as solvents, acids and lead. As these pollutants accumulate in our soil and groundwater, they pose a long-term threat to the environment.

Leachate

When waste decomposes in the landfill and water passes through it, a liquid called leachate is generated. If consumed, this liquid can harm land, groundwater, and streams. Landfills are a major source of environmentally hazardous pollutants. As they decompose, plastics such as PVC and other materials emit harmful compounds.

In the developed world, electronic trash is the fastest-growing waste category. Despite the fact that it is the most dangerous form of household trash, the majority of it is disposed of in landfills. Heavy metals, solvents, and acids are found in electronic trash.

During the time it takes to fill a landfill cell, the contents are exposed to rain. A foul-smelling liquid known as leachate is created when rainwater filters through the landfill, dissolving and flushing off 5-7 percent of the poison residue.

Leachate from a single dump site can fill multiple Olympic-sized swimming pools per year, depending on the amount of rain that falls. In order to prevent contamination of land, groundwater, and waterways, leachate is collected and recirculated into the landfill cells. When leachate is returned to landfill, some of the toxins are reabsorbed, but the remainder filters through again, accumulating more toxins over time.

Greenhouse gas

Landfills pose a significant hazard to the environment through the creation of greenhouse gases. Organic trash, like food scraps and green garbage, is typically compacted and covered when it is placed in a landfill. Anaerobic digestion occurs as a result of this process, which removes the oxygen. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is more powerful than carbon dioxide and will be released as a result of this process. 

Methane and carbon dioxide make up 35-55 percent of landfill gas, while the remaining 30 to 44 percent is made up of other gases. A buildup of methane, another combustible gas, can be hazardous if not dealt with promptly. Huge repercussions for global warming and climate change. Many of these issues can be alleviated by using a compost bin to compost your food leftovers and green waste.

Methane’s greenhouse effect is between 84 and 100 times stronger than carbon dioxide’s within the first 20 years after release. What matters most in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade or two decades is the trajectory we’re on.

Conclusion

According to theory, properly constructed and maintained landfills may be able to contain dangerous chemical and leachate wastes for hundreds of years if no earthquakes or subsurface methane gas explosions occur. However, landfill gases cannot be contained in this manner.

Prior to the burning of methane, landfills produce almost as much raw carbon dioxide as methane. A typical landfill site emits hundreds of metric tonnes of carbon dioxide each month after accounting for methane emissions.

Dumpster Center Mesa must do everything in our power to eliminate landfill waste if we are to make our organisations and waste management more sustainable.