The diagrams illustrate the process by which household waste is disposed of. There are three main stages, starting with the design and engineering of a modern landfill, followed by the actual usage. In the final stage, the cavity is sealed. Moreover, the process is done in such a way that does not contaminate the surroundings.
In the construction stage, a man-made hole is excavated in natural rock. The base and the sides are covered with a thick layer of clay, followed by a synthetic lining to prevent leakage. At the bottom, a system of drainage pipes is installed to gather waste liquid, which is then directed to a dedicated tank.
During the use phase, household waste is transported by trucks and deposited into the landfill. As the waste is accumulated, a waste liquid, known as leachate, forms and goes through drainage pipes to a special tank in order not to spread around and contaminate the ground.
Once the landfill reaches its capacity, it is then closed. A vertical pipe is installed to release the gas safely produced by the decomposed waste, after which the site is sealed with a clay cover to ensure a long-term environmental protection.