Print this page An Introduction to Sanitary Landfills
J. Paul Guyer, P.E., R.A., Fellow ASCE, Fellow AEI
Course Outline
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Laws and Regulations
B. Solid Waste Characteristics
C. Alternate Disposal Methods
D. Solid Waste Stabilization in a Sanitary Landfill
II. PLANNING
A. Feasibility Investigation
B. Operational Data for Planning
C. Site Selection
III. DESIGN
A. Site Development Plans
B. Additional Plans and Narratives
C. Health and Safety
D. Volume Minimization
E. Site Layout
F. Trench Design
G. Leachate Control
H. Gas Control
I. Runoff Control
J. Support Facilities
K. Closure
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Learn about the applications and characteristics of dry and wet landfills;
- earn about the two most commonly used methods of operating a landfill;
- Learn about landfill site selection issues associated with nearby airports, wetlands, seismic impact zones, unstable areas, cover, existing site utilities and access;
- Learn what features must be incorporated into landfill site development plans, and accompanying plans and narratives required to fully characterize the landfill site’s planning, design, operation and closure;
- Learn the fundamentals of landfill trench design;
- Learn the fundamentals of landfill cover requirements to minimize infiltration and erosion; and
- Learn about leachate, runoff, and gas control and sanitary landfills.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for engineers, other construction professionals, and solid waste operational and management personnel who want an introduction to sanitary landfill planning and design. The course will give you the basic terminology and technical considerations needed to help you address sanitary landfill projects in your agency or company.
Benefit for Attendee
This course will give engineers, construction and solid waste management personnel an introduction to planning, design, operation and closure of sanitary landfills.
Course Introduction
Options available to eliminate the quantity and specific types of refuse in sanitary landfills include incineration, recycling, composting yard wastes and landfills designed for a specific waste requiring permits (e.g. hazardous waste landfills, asbestos landfills, etc.). So there might be less transport of refuse, placement of landfills close to the center of population would be the most desirable situation for the designer. Adverse public sentiment and the cost and availability of land usually are the deciding factors for locating a landfill, which make transporting the refuse to a more advantageous location the preferred option for many authorities. New technologies that can produce a closed landfill system, a self contained system resulting in very little impact on the surrounding environment, have resulted in more restrictive legislation and regulations for sanitary landfills. Therefore, site selection and proper landfill design are considered the most important factors in the refuse disposal process.
About Course Author
Paul Guyer is a registered mechanical engineer, civil engineer, fire protection engineer and architect with over 35 years experience in the design of buildings and related infrastructure. For an additional 9 years he was a senior-level advisor to the California Legislature on infrastructure and capital outlay issues. He has designed and supervised the design of hundreds of construction projects requiring the preparation of detailed working drawings and specifications for federal, state and local public agencies and private companies. He is a graduate of Stanford University and has held numerous national, state and local positions with the American Society of Civil Engineers and National Society of Professional Engineers.
Course Content
The course content is contained in the following PDF file:
An Introduction to Sanitary Landfills
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Course Summary
The main advantage of a sanitary landfill is that handling and processing of refuse is kept to a minimum. Handling is limited to the pickup and transport of the waste, the spreading of refuse, and covering with a suitable cover material. After the material is collected, it may go through various changes and processes, at a substantial expenditure of energy, before it results in a reusable form. Recyclable materials include paper, plastics, glass, metals, batteries, and automobile tires. Incineration with energy recovery has been used for some time, but has come under increased scrutiny because of new laws and regulations aimed at reducing air pollution and the resulting products of incineration may be even more dangerous than originally thought. Clean air laws, and negative public sentiment may require additional expense and waste treatment that can make incineration the least favored alternative. Ash residue and bulky refuse which are not burned during incineration will still require disposal.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
