Solid Waste Management
Consider yourself as the local municipal solid waste landfill operator, and you are presenting to a community group to educate them on landfills. Your presentation should address the following topics:
evolution of waste disposal from dumps to landfills,
types of solid waste materials that are disposed of in landfills,
landfill location criteria,
landfill liner requirements,
landfill operational requirements,
air quality and groundwater monitoring requirements,
landfill closure, and
other items that would interest the audience.
Sample Answer
Evolution of waste disposal from dumps to landfills
Open dumps were once the primary method of waste disposal. Dumps were simply areas where waste was piled up without any controls. Dumps were often located near bodies of water and could pollute the air and groundwater.
Landfills were developed in the mid-20th century as a more sanitary and environmentally friendly method of waste disposal. Landfills are constructed with engineered liners and other features to protect the environment.
Types of solid waste materials that are disposed of in landfills
A variety of solid waste materials are disposed of in landfills, including:
- Municipal solid waste (MSW): MSW is the waste that is generated by households and businesses. It includes items such as food scraps, paper, plastic, metal, and glass.
- Construction and demolition waste (C&D waste): C&D waste is the waste that is generated from construction and demolition projects. It includes items such as concrete, wood, and metal.