The presented diagram gives information about how a modern landfill for household waste works.
Overall, the diagram includes three main phases, including construction, use, and closure. Notably, the design is used to collect water and gases for reusing purposes.
Looking first at the construction stage, to begin with, a huge area is dug out where the trash will be thrown. This hole has a depth that nearly reaches the underground natural rock layer. Then, a thin layer of clay is filled in, and another layer of synthetic material covers the whole area of the hole to avoid any leakage. The hole’s bed is subsequently equipped with a drainage system, consisting of several drainage pipes and a drainage tank, to collect wastewater. This drainage system is connected to water treatment plants by an external pipe to channel wastewater for further processing.
Once ready, domestic waste is filled into the hole, which may take a few years for the hole to be full. After the landfill is full, it is covered with another layer of clay to prevent harmful substances from being released into the surrounding environment. Another pipe system can be installed to collect natural gas produced from the decomposition of trash. This system can be directly linked with either households or factories for burning purposes.