The diagram illustrates the progress to design a modern landfill for household waste.
Overall, the process comprises a number of steps, beginning with the excavation of a large hole in natural rock and ending with the sealing of the landfill and the extraction of gases.
At the beginning of the process, a large man-made hole is dug into natural rock, after which it is lined with a synthetic material and a layer of clay. This structure is then transported to a stage where a drainage tank and several pipes are installed at the base of the pit. Subsequently, the foundation is completed before being ready for use. After the construction is finished, trucks begin to bring household waste to the site. Once the lining system has been properly set up, the actual waste deposition starts.
The process continues with household waste being dumped into the landfill by trucks. During this usage phase, the waste liquid filters down into the drainage pipes and is collected in the tank below. The pit is then filled with layers of waste, which is followed by a thick clay cover being placed on top of the accumulation. Next, a vertical pipe is inserted into the waste pile. At the final stage of the process, the gases generated from the decomposing waste are extracted through this pipe, meaning that the landfill is safely managed and closed.