Impacts
of Landfills
A number of
problems can occur from landfill operations. These impacts can vary: fatal accidents (e.g., scavengers buried under waste
piles), infrastructure damage (e.g., damage to access roads by heavy vehicles), pollution of the local environment (such as contamination of groundwater and/or aquifers by leachate and residual soil contamination after landfill closure), injuries to wildlife [3] and simple nuisance problems (e.g., dust, odour, vermin, or noise pollution).
Environmental noise and dust are generated from vehicles accessing a landfill as well as from working face operations. These impacts are best to intercept at the planning stage where access
routes and landfill geometrics can be used to mitigate such issues. Vector control is also important, but can be managed reasonably
well with the daily cover protocols.
Most modern
landfills are operated with controls to manage problems such as these. Analysis of common landfill operational problems are
available in [1].
Some local authorities have found it difficult to locate new landfills. These authorities may charge a fee or levy
in order to discourage waste and/or recover the costs of site operations. Some landfills are operated for profit as commercial
businesses. Many landfills, however, are publicly operated and funded. For many areas, a well-run landfill is a hygienic,
inexpensive solution to garbage disposal.
