Decision maker`s guide to issues effecting post-closure reutilization of municipal solid waste landfills. Master`s thesis
Municipal solid waste landfills serve as society`s primary waste handling mechanism and have promising potential to continue as a community asset well after their capacity has been reached. This guide aims to familiarize the reader with landfills and the issues that can effect their potential after closure. Landfills have evolved into technologically advanced facilities that are designed, constructed, and operated with strict environmental controls. When a landfill reaches capacity, it must be formally and properly closed, ensuring that the environment and public health will continue to be protected. To establish a baseline, the guide will discuss the landfill`s evolution, its life-cycle, and closure/post-closure requirements. The acreage of a closed landfill site offers wonderful opportunities for beneficial re-use. There are, however, several imperative issues that must be appreciated and considered when evaluating options for a closed, or soon to close, landfill: socioeconomics, landfill gas, settlement, and revegetation. Each of these issues is a potential obstacle to successful re-use. Conversely, if their associated hazards are known and mitigating methods are selectively applied, the issues can breed innovation and opportunity. The focus of this guide is to address these issues and present techniques that can lead to a fruitful re-use effort. Although post-closure re-use is a logical goal, this guide will also introduce developments and research in landfill mining and accelerated waste decomposition that offer promise for extending the life of landfills. Extending the life of a landfill complements a proactive re-use strategy. Accounting for the issues discussed in this guide and exercising foresight will facilitate the smooth transition of a closed landfill into a symbol of community pride.
- Research Organization:
- Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 415885
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-313453/3/XAB; TRN: 63310266
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: TH: Master`s thesis; PBD: 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Stakeholder Involvement in the Revegetation of the 92-Acre Area - 17152
The Little Engine That Could: No Project is too Small for Sustainable Remediation Moab Uranium Mill Tailings Removal Project - 16427