Making a Mini-Landfill
Kenya Smith
December 5, 2008
C - Hour
Table of Contents
• Introduction
– Purpose of Project
– Definition of Landfill
pg. 3
pg. 4
• Research on Michigan Landfills
–
–
–
–
–
Map of Landfill Locations
Method of Leachate Collection/Treatment
Contamination Problems and Control
Geological Features Surrounding the Landfill
Uses of Methane Produced
pg. 5
pg. 6
pg. 7
pg. 8
pg. 9
• Mini-Landfill
–
–
–
–
Data Table
Summary of Observations and Picture
Analysis/Conclusions
Purpose Revisited
• Bibliography
pg. 10
pg. 11
pg. 12-13
pg. 14
pg. 15
Introduction: Purpose of Project
• To simulate what happens to trash/ debris
that end up as solid waste
• To learn about the operation of a landfills
Introduction: Definition of Landfill
A landfill is a site used for solid waste
disposal in which refuse is buried
between layers of dirt so as to fill in or
reclaim low-lying ground.
Research of
Michigan
Landfills:
Map of MI Landfill
Locations
Research: Method of Leachate
Collection/ Treatment
• Michigan landfills, like that of Richfield Landfill.
Inc, are required to have a system that keeps
leachate from entering the soil and underground
structures (e.g. aquifers).
• An impermeable barrier below the waste disposal
site amongst geological fractures. A gel solution is
entered into the fractures about the barrier.
• The leachate joins with the gel and situates on the
impermeable barrier becoming part of the
subterranean formation.
Research: Contamination Problems
and Controls
• Soil contamination can result from leaching of wastes
into the soil from landfills.
• Contaminants can cause health risks from direct
contact with the soil or contaminated groundwater.
• Cleanup can consist of using microorganisms that
“eat” toxins or by digging up the contaminated soil.
• Air stripping is a technique that can be used to purify
contaminated groundwater or wastewater. It forces
air into a tower-like system at high pressure as
contaminated water enters from the top. The water
then passes through areas of plastic packing which
pick up the contaminants.
Research: Geological Features
Surrounding Landfill
• Richfield Landfill in Genesee
County is located above a
water table that resulted
from glacial movement over
the region.
• The water table has a depth
between 600 and 800 feet.
• No other prominent
geological features like
hills, steep slopes, etc.
Research: Uses of Methane Produced
• Methane gas is collected by drilling "wells" into the
landfills, and collecting the gases through pipes.
• Once the landfill gas is processed, it can be
combined with natural gas to add to the natural gas
supply or can be burned in an internal combustion
engine or a generator to create electricity.
Mini-Landfill: Data Table
Total Weight
of Contents
10/22/08
12/29/08
11/12/08
11/19/08
102.0 g
101.8 g
101.0
102.3
Observations
of Trash
A
(Blank Paper)
Paper is torn in
neat pieces. No
changes.
Appears slightly Appears moister,
moist; slight
almost transparent.
brown tinge.
B
(Toxic Waste)
Green seeds
aren’t visible
below layers.
Plants sprout,
approx. 6
sprouts. Long,
thin green
leaves; straight.
C
(Newspaper)
Newspaper is
ripped; no
changes.
Some plant spouts are
unable to penetrate
waste layers, bending.
Last week’s are taller,
Same as
11/12/08.
Plants begin
to brown at
tips of some
leaves.
standing around 4 in.
Appears slightly Appears moister,
moist.
almost transparent;
ink still present.
Same as
11/12/08.
D
Paper is ripped Appears slightly Appears moister,
almost transparent.
(Paper w/ ink) into pieces, with moist; slight
font visible.
brown tinge.
Same as
11/12/08.
Mini-Landfill: Summary of Observations
and Picture
• In the mini-landfill, waste
(i.e. paper) was not visibly
broken down by any
biological processes. Aside
from moistening, it
remained in relatively the
same state.
• The toxic waste (i.e. the
plants) grew if it could
penetrate the other levels of
waste and by the final
week, began to turn brown.
Mini-Landfill: Analysis/Conclusions
1.
What happens at a landfill?
In a landfill, solid waste materials are dumped in cells, lined to prevent
contamination of leachate. As some the garbage breaks down over time,
gas is released (esp. methane), but much of the waste isn’t biodegradable
and waste continues to fill the landfill cells until it reaches capacity. The
volume of the waste is constantly compacted to take up less space and
covered with layers of soil.
2.
What happens to the trash when it’s buried?
When trash is buried, non-biodegradable waste simply takes up
space, while degradable, organic waste breaks down and releases
methane gas which is highly flammable. Once wet, a leachate forms a
can contain hazardous toxins from waste that adversely affect
surroundings.
3.
What changes did you observe in your landfill over the 2 months?
There were no major changes aside from the growth of the “toxic waste”/
plant. Two months was not an adequate amount of time for the paper waste
to break down through biological processes.
Mini-Landfill: Analysis/Conclusions
4.
How is this like an actual landfill?
Like an actual landfill, not much benefit comes from this form of waste
management, at least not as not enough to cancel out its negatives.
The only thing that really prospered in the landfill was the toxic waste,
while the biodegradable waste takes a very long period to break down.
Ultimately, waste placed in landfills that have the ability to be recycled
or reused are wasted and aren’t nearly as beneficial as these green
options.
5.
What changes will you make in your household as a result of this
experiment?
Seeing just how tedious the process of paper breaking down in a
landfill is, I truly understand how recycling is a much more beneficial
option to the environment and more effective. I will reduce usage of
non-biodegradable goods if they don’t have a long life span. I will be more
proactive about buying “green” items with recyclable packaging.
Mini-Landfill: Purpose Revisited
• The purpose of the mini-landfill project was
fulfilled, since I was able to simulate what happens
to trash that ends up in actual landfills.
• Also, the operation of landfill was also learned from
this project.
• Ultimately, something greater comes from this
project though, and it is insight to just how much we
need to invest in “green” methods because landfills
less than environmentally sound and the earth merits
better treatment.
Bibliography
• http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-whm-stswmapoflandfillsinLP.pdf
• http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4790688.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_contamination
• http://www.ncgreenpower.org/types/landfill_methane.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill
• http://mi.water.usgs.gov/pubs/WRIR/WRIR98-4039/images/fig5.jpg
• http://www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/downloads/ROP/pub_ntce/N7762/N7
762%20Staff%20Report%207-16-08.doc
• http://www.thedavisonindex.com/moxie/news/deq-gives-ok-forlandfill.shtml