Landfill: Difference between revisions

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Whilst Landfill is the ultimate destination for waste, ideally after all forms of [[Reuse]], [[Recycling]], and [[Recovery]] have been undertaken, there will always be a small element of waste that will need to be landfilled in a safe and secure way (under the [[Landfill Directive]] no more than 10% of [[MSW]] generated by weight is to be landfilled by 2035). In developing countries, with limited infrastructure, the delivery of Sanitary Landfill would represent a huge step forwards in protecting water resources and human health.

The key legal requirements for managing landfill have been implemented in the UK through the [[Landfill (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2005|Landfill Regulations 2005]] which implemented the [[Landfill Directive]] and defined 3 types of Landfill:

The key legal requirements for managing landfill have been implemented in the UK through the [[Landfill (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2005|Landfill Regulations 2005]] which implemented the [[Landfill Directive]] and defined three types of Landfill:

*'''[[Inert Landfill]]'''

*'''[[Non-Hazardous Landfill]]''' (and those with a '''[[Stabilised Non-Reactive Hazardous Waste]] cell''')

*'''[[Hazardous Landfill]]'''

*'''[[Inert Landfill]]'''

and the standards are set out for the key stages of landfill in regards to:

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*To provide an effective growing medium and afteruse for the site

Commonly, the capping layer will consist of a compacted clay layer of 1 metre thickness, placed on the last levels of the waste (which is often a thicker layer of final cover to provide a uniform level for placement of the material). This capping layer can be replaced or supplemented by '''flexible membranes''' such as LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) or GCL (Geo-synthetic Clay) in varying combinations. Flexible membranes can be welded together (or fused) similar to engineering lining systems or laid over-lapped with no fused joints.

Commonly, the capping layer will consist of a compacted clay layer of 1 metre thickness, placed on the last levels of the waste (which is often a thicker layer of final cover to provide a uniform level for placement of the material). This capping layer can be replaced or supplemented by '''flexible membranes''' such as LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) or GCL (Geo-synthetic Clay) in varying combinations. Flexible membranes can be welded together (or fused) similar to engineering lining systems or laid over-lapped with no fused joints. Guidance on landfill capping was published by the Engineering Sub-group of the EA/industry Landfill Regulation Group in 2018.

Soil thickness will depend upon the proposed afteruse of the site; uses involving deep-rooted plants will require thicker soils to protect the engineered capping layer from root-penetration.

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Landfill sites where all tipping has ceased and the all infrastructure for '''post-closure''' management has been installed are deemed "closed" following agreement with the [[EA]].

The landfill operator is required to continue to ~~maintain monitoring~~ and ~~management of~~ the site post-closure until it can be shown to the satisfaction of the [[EA]] that the active management of the site by the operator is no longer required. Assessment of such a state is measured against criteria identified in WMP26A<ref name="refA" /> and subsequent [[EA]] guidance. It is generally accepted for non-hazardous landfill sites that this is unlikely to be ~~able to shown~~ for at least 60 years post-closure~~, probably somewhat~~ longer. This period is known as the '''aftercare''' period.

The landfill operator is required to continue to monitor and manage the site post-closure until it can be shown to the satisfaction of the [[EA]] that the active management of the site by the operator is no longer required. Assessment of such a state is measured against criteria identified in WMP26A<ref name="refA" /> and subsequent [[EA]] guidance. It is generally accepted for non-hazardous landfill sites that this is unlikely to be demonstrated for at least 60 years post-closure or possibly longer. This period is known as the '''aftercare''' period.

There is published guidance on landfill permit surrender available from the [[EA]]<ref>Additional guidance for Landfill (EPR 5.02) and other permanent deposits of waste - How to surrender your environmental permit</ref>and guidance was updated in March 2022<ref>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/landfill-epr-502-and-other-permanent-deposits-of-waste-how-to-surrender-your-environmental-permit?</ref>.

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 Whilst Landfill is the ultimate destination for waste, ideally after all forms of [[Reuse]], [[Recycling]], and [[Recovery]] have been undertaken, there will always be a small element of waste that will need to be landfilled in a safe and secure way (under the [[Landfill Directive]] no more than 10% of [[MSW]] generated by weight is to be landfilled by 2035). In developing countries, with limited infrastructure, the delivery of Sanitary Landfill would represent a huge step forwards in protecting water resources and human health.
-The key legal requirements for managing landfill have been implemented in the UK through the [[Landfill (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2005|Landfill Regulations 2005]] which implemented the [[Landfill Directive]] and defined 3 types of Landfill:
+The key legal requirements for managing landfill have been implemented in the UK through the [[Landfill (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2005|Landfill Regulations 2005]] which implemented the [[Landfill Directive]] and defined three types of Landfill:
+*'''[[Inert Landfill]]'''
 *'''[[Non-Hazardous Landfill]]''' (and those with a '''[[Stabilised Non-Reactive Hazardous Waste]] cell''')
 *'''[[Hazardous Landfill]]'''
-*'''[[Inert Landfill]]'''
 and the standards are set out for the key stages of landfill in regards to:
@@ Line 215: / Line 216: @@
 *To provide an effective growing medium and afteruse for the site
-Commonly, the capping layer will consist of a compacted clay layer of 1 metre thickness, placed on the last levels of the waste (which is often a thicker layer of final cover to provide a uniform level for placement of the material). This capping layer can be replaced or supplemented by '''flexible membranes''' such as LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) or GCL (Geo-synthetic Clay) in varying combinations. Flexible membranes can be  welded together (or fused) similar to engineering lining systems or laid over-lapped with no fused joints.
+Commonly, the capping layer will consist of a compacted clay layer of 1 metre thickness, placed on the last levels of the waste (which is often a thicker layer of final cover to provide a uniform level for placement of the material). This capping layer can be replaced or supplemented by '''flexible membranes''' such as LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) or GCL (Geo-synthetic Clay) in varying combinations. Flexible membranes can be  welded together (or fused) similar to engineering lining systems or laid over-lapped with no fused joints. Guidance on landfill capping was published by the Engineering Sub-group of the EA/industry Landfill Regulation Group in 2018.
 Soil thickness will depend upon the proposed afteruse of the site; uses involving deep-rooted plants will require thicker soils to protect the engineered capping layer from root-penetration.
@@ Line 223: / Line 224: @@
 Landfill sites where all tipping has ceased and the all infrastructure for '''post-closure''' management has been installed are deemed "closed" following agreement with the [[EA]].
-The landfill operator is required to continue to maintain monitoring and management of the site post-closure until it can be shown to the satisfaction of the [[EA]] that the active management of the site by the operator is no longer required. Assessment of such a state is measured against criteria identified in WMP26A<ref name="refA" /> and subsequent [[EA]] guidance. It is generally accepted for non-hazardous landfill sites that this is unlikely to be able to shown for at least 60 years post-closure, probably somewhat longer. This period is known as the '''aftercare''' period.
+The landfill operator is required to continue to monitor and manage the site post-closure until it can be shown to the satisfaction of the [[EA]] that the active management of the site by the operator is no longer required. Assessment of such a state is measured against criteria identified in WMP26A<ref name="refA" /> and subsequent [[EA]] guidance. It is generally accepted for non-hazardous landfill sites that this is unlikely to be demonstrated for at least 60 years post-closure or possibly longer. This period is known as the '''aftercare''' period.
 There is published guidance on landfill permit surrender available from the [[EA]]<ref>Additional guidance for Landfill (EPR 5.02) and other permanent deposits of waste - How to surrender your environmental permit</ref>and guidance was updated in March 2022<ref>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/landfill-epr-502-and-other-permanent-deposits-of-waste-how-to-surrender-your-environmental-permit?</ref>.