What are the three main problems or environmental concerns associated with landfills?
Methane Gas, leachate, and loose waste are the three main challenges for landfills today. Methane gas is produced in a landfill by anaerobic decomposition. It can be collected using current technology and then used to generate electricity, or it can be purified and used as a power-generating fuel. Leachate is a thick liquid that forms when garbage decomposes. At its best, it is similar to very strong sewage water; at its worst, it carries hazardous materials with it that were dissolved from the waste. Newer landfills have synthetic liners above a clay-like soil that help to prevent the leachate from leaking into the groundwater, causing contamination. Older landfills do not utilize this type of liner, and are therefore a threat to our groundwater especially to nearby neighborhoods. Loose waste is another problem. It attracts disease carrying vermin of all types, and it can fly away in the breeze. At the end of every working day, a “daily cover” must be applied to minimize these problem
