Open Landfills vs. Sanitary Landfills
Abstract
This study seeks to understand the affects of open and sanitary landfills on the decomposition of
different solid waste outputs. Waste was deposited in two jars, with equal amounts of hydration, at
room temperature. The jars were observed for 4 weeks, and results were quantified with a 1-10 scale to
observe decomposition. The results showed…
Introduction
Most of the waste produced in the US is municipal solid waste from households, institutions and small
businesses. We have options on how to dispose of waste outputs. First, there is compost – decayed
organic material that can be used to fertilize or recondition soil.
Second, we can reuse objects and materials again, usually for their original purpose, reducing the
necessity for new products. We can also recycle. Paper, cardboard, plastics, metals (aluminum and tin),
and glass can all be recycled. They can be made into the same products (closed loop recycling) or new
ones (open loop recycling).
Finally, any waste that cannot be composted, reused or recycled is disposed of in a landfill. Some
landfills involve incineration to reduce volume. These are carefully regulated to ensure the reduction of
air pollution that they tend to emit. There are open landfills and sanitary landfills.
Open landfills and literally piles of trash exposed to the open air. They are more common in developed
countries because they are extremely cheap to operate. Other benefits include the ability to retrieve
recyclables and other objects from the dump, aerobic respiration is allowed to talk place and
Sanitary Landfills are landfills that are the waste is covered with soil, compacted down and covered with
a clay or plastic lining to reduce leachate. Sometimes they have methane or gas pipes that allow gas to
escape and be captured. They may also have hazardous waste disposal instruments, like deep well
disposal incorporated into them.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of open landfills vs. sanitary landfills?
MATERIALS:
_ large glass or plastic jars, or aquarium
_ various pieces of garbage to bury (small food scraps, bones, metals, cardboard, paper, plastic)
_ soil from garden or other outdoor area (not sterilized potting soil)
_ water
_ plastic wrap
Procedures:
1.
2.
3.
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5.
6.
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8.
9.
Fill the 2 jars about half full of soil.
Dig a hole for the open landfill and add waste.
Add waste to the sanitary landfill jar.
Cover the waste in the sanitary jar with more soil.
Compact the soil in the sanitary landfill jar down.
Add an airtight layer of plastic wrap over the compacted soil in the landfill jar.
Add a small amount of water to each jar.
Set aside in a warm place for a week.
Cover the garbage with more soil. Sprinkle the soil with water and cover the
top of the jar with plastic wrap.
10. Place the jar in a warm place for about ten days.
11. Observe the contents of the jar, and rank the smell (1= no smell, 10= terrible)
and appearance of decomposition (1 = totally intact, 10= decomposed into soil)
12. Repeat several times to record changes.
Data
Week 1, Date:_____________
Smell – food,
plastic, paper (110)
Appearance – food, plastic,
paper (1-10)
Open Landfill
Sanitary Landfill
Week 2, Date:_____________
Smell – food,
plastic, paper (110)
Appearance – food, plastic,
paper (1-10)
Open Landfill
Sanitary Landfill
Week 3, Date:_____________
Smell – food,
Appearance – food, plastic,
plastic, paper (110)
paper (1-10)
Open Landfill
Sanitary Landfill
Results (Data Analysis):
Graph the results of your observations for smell and decomposition.
Discussion/Conclusion:
What did you observe, and did it answer your question about the difference between sanitary and open
landfills? What did you learn? How does it apply to the different outputs of the waste stream?