Landfill has long had a bad reputation. Massive swathes of land in most countries are dedicated to receiving the junk which can’t be processed in any other way.
Not all rubbish is classed as recyclable materials – plenty is toxic waste, or it’s waste which breaks down organically yet cannot be used to make compost because it is contaminated.
What goes into landfill?
Anything that you throw into your general rubbish bins goes into landfill. That might consist of food, certain types of plastic, packaging, clothing and dust.
Of course, that’s not all of the rubbish which goes into landfill. There are in fact, three different types of landfill site – they are as follows.
Industrial Waste Landfills
These are the landfills where most types of waste are dumped. They’re also commonly used for building waste.
That means they see a lot of asphalt, concrete, various metals and bricks.
Hazardous Waste Landfills
Hazardous waste landfills are very busy. Modern landfills have to cope with a lot of dangerous items which might otherwise cause fires or pose health risks.
They’re used for hazardous chemicals, for batteries, computer monitors, laptops, mobile phones, radios, oil, paint, varnish, chemical toiled and septic waste, various liquids and medical waste.
These things are very tricky for the average person to dispose of. They cannot go into bins as they are a fire hazard.
They are also unsuitable for skip bins because of the same fire risk.
Local councils often have public disposal units meant specifically for batteries and mobile phones.
You can ask your local council where your closest one is and use it regularly.
Hazardous waste disposal
These are the sorts of rubbish that nobody wants to deal with. Hazardous waste management is complex and highly regulated because harmful chemicals must be controlled.
Again, check with your local council about your local centres for recycling and whether they accept any of the hazardous waste materials you need to dispose of.
Most councils are very proactive about this and are happy to help and advise.
Landfills and liners
Landfills which contain the above, must have double-liners to stop the hazardous materials leeching into the surrounding environment. They must also have a leak detection system in place so that dangerous fumes and waste does not escape into the soil or environment causing air pollution.
These landfills are a sensible way to manage waste but they must be regularly inspected so that maintenance is kept to high standards.
Green Waste Landfills
Green waste management is often dealt with effectively by green waste landfills. They are suitable for weeds, branches and tree stumps, leaves and basically any garden waste.
Green waste isn’t difficult to dispose of generally unless you produce a large amount. Your council bins are usually collected regularly and include a receptacle for green waste.
Ensure your green waste is chopped up if possible and do not include very large tree stumps.
Make sure it is not contaminated with pesticide or oil.
Pros of Landfills (advantages)
Some people believe there are no pros to landfills but that’s not quite true. Whilst they do potentially cause an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, they also help council’s effectively manage and keep our towns and cities clean.
Keeping wildlife safe
Without an easy to access space for waste, it would quickly build up and be disposed of in places where it could cause devastating harm to wildlife.
Birds, mammals and marine life are all vulnerable to rubbish in their habitats. These can cause injury or death and we all need to do all we can to ensure the safety of our animal population.
Litter pickers are inexpensive and it’ is a good idea to purchase one for your own personal use. Take it along when you walk your dog – it’s a good habit to get into.
Properly managed landfill sites are a necessary tool for well-populated areas.
Gases produced at landfill sites can actually be harvested and used in energy production.
Potential Cons Of Landfills (Disadvantages)
Leachate is produced as waste breaks down in landfill sites and water passes through the rubbish.
It’s highly toxic and can cause very real damage to surrounding countryside. It’s because of Leachate that liners are needed in landfill and also Leachate collection systems.
Greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions are of course another bad side to landfills. The effects of greenhouse gases are far-reaching and negative in the extreme.
If we are to avoid the negative effects of greenhouse gases, then it is to recycling that we must turn – and as much as possible.
Nobody wants landfill sites near their home and that tells you a lot about how they smell! The smell from landfill sites can be extreme.
A wealth of options
Although waste management is never simple, we do have many options today for recycling and it’s made much simpler with packaging designs which support this.
If we are to manage waste in a more sensible and careful manner, we must all recycle as much as possible.
An unnatural process
Landfill is not a natural state of being for waste. The problem is that when rubbish such as food scraps or green garden waste is covered up, there’s no oxygen available to help it break down in a natural fashion.
So it’s forced to break down in an anaerobic process.
This means that methane is generated in large amounts. Methane is one of the greenhouse gasses and this adds to global warming.
Harvesting and filtering the methane is the best way to manage the issue currently and it’s one of the better waste management strategies we have today.
What about incineration?
Whilst incineration may seem like a very quick, clean and affordable way to manage rubbish, it is still not particularly good for the environment.
One of the worst aspects of incineration is that it has a heavy impact on health for those in the area.
Incineration has been associated with many health conditions and illnesses.
Incineration plants can cause noxious fumes to escape into the environment and this can be very dangerous and unpleasant for residents.
Waste management systems for home, organisation and business
Whether you own a home, run an organisation or business, waste management is something you have to deal with.
Waste disposal is a big issue for larger businesses and organisations in particular. It’s important for them to stay on the right side of the law with regards to waste materials.
Providing a proper waste management system for employees and stakeholders is vital for any successful business.
Separating waste
Therefore, ensuring that there are proper waste management systems in place.
This could include ensuring that bins are separated into green, recycling and general containers and in the case of bigger orgs, perhaps using skip bin hire.
Permanent skip bin hire is often a feature of schools, shops, hospitals and restaurants.
This is because these organisations produce a lot of waste on weekly basis.
Skip bins are cost effective and keeps the environment clean.
They are affordable and you can choose which day you would like your skip bin to be delivered.
Customers also get to select how many days they want their skip bin for. Perhaps one or two days or for a number of weeks.
It’s your choice and it’s meant to be convenient. Ask questions if you’re unsure about the process.
Get others on board
Getting your family or your staff on-board with recycling isn’t difficult but might necessitate a few changes in habits!
If you’re dealing with a large team, ensure you send out a reminder for everyone about recycling and waste rules.
Some might have complaints but the advantages and disadvantages of recycling are imbalanced in the favour of recycling!
Ensure all containers are clearly marked so that people know what to put in which.
There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a lot of waste in green and recycling bins and hardly anything in general waste.
That’s what we’re all aiming for. Encourage staff to take their rubbish home with them – this is called a “Zero Waste Policy” and is a good cost-saving measure too.
Avoiding landfill
Landfill effects wildlife can lower property values and of course, cause water pollution and contaminate soil.
This is all without even mentioning the issue of at-risk wildlife, landfill gas or the smell of decomposing waste.
If at all possible, it is best to avoid landfill.
While it’s true that modern landfills go the extra mile to ensure the safety of the environment, there are still many negative effects we all want to avoid.
Some of the best ways to avoid using landfills are to recycle and only to use what is necessary.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
This is a mantra introduced by the Australian Government. It is designed to help us all stop and think.
What does it mean though? Here’s a breakdown –
Reduce – this simple means reduce your use of non-recyclable materials and materials which eat a lot of energy in production or disposal.
Plastic bags and cutlery, plastic toys, plastic straws – these all fall under the umbrella of things which we need to stop using.
Reuse – this is simple and we can all change our habits to reuse things more.
Perhaps it means refilling your water bottle instead of buying another? Or maybe it means buying second hand clothing?
Recycle – turn those empty milk containers into seedling planters or watering jugs. Tin cans can also be repurposed in a similar way.
Look for ways in which you can reduce, reuse and recycle.
Whether at home, work or elsewhere, there are constant opportunities for us all to help the environment in this way.
Skip bins and how they help reduce environmental issues
Skip bins are an ideal alternative to using your local dump. They’re suited to all sorts of projects – not just building.
Moving house, clearing a home, DIY and gardening projects can all benefit from a skip bin.
There are many different types of rubbish suitable for skip bins.
This includes bricks, stone, concrete, old furniture and timber, glass, metal, toys and textiles.
Of course, the list is much longer than that! Check with your local skip bin provider to see what can and cannot be placed in a skip bin.
Some examples include asbestos, batteries, oils, paints and animal waste.
These are not suitable for skip bins and you should contact your local council to learn more about where to put them.
Are skip bins environmentally friendly?
Yes! One of the best things about skip bins is that they come in different types. Each type is suited to a different waste type.
Types of skip bin
So, there are skip bins for green waste, for building waste or general waste. This helps skip companies to sort through the rubbish and recycle more.
One skip bin truck making a return journey with a lot of waste is far more eco-friendly than a car and trailer making multiple journeys to the dump.
Skip suppliers are extremely careful about how they deliver and collect skip bins.
When they collect a full skip bin, they will usually sweep your driveway afterwards and make sure no waste escapes.
Avoiding climate change
Avoiding climate change is something we all care about.
The advantages and disadvantages of landfills might seem complex to some people so it’s important to remember the main issues at hand.
Landfill use is generally on the up – which of course is a bad thing.
Yes, we must keep our districts clean but we must also fight the use of landfill.
Statistics are worrying
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia generated 75.8 million tonnes of solid waste in 2018-19.
This was an increase following the previous two years of 10%. Over half of all waste was sent for recycling (38.5 million tonnes), while 27% was sent to landfill for disposal (20.5 million tonnes)
That’s a big increase and a LOT of waste going into landfill.
Whilst it may not seem as though an individual can make a lot of difference, if everyone makes changes, it will have a big impact on pollution, wildlife, marine life and so much more.
Conclusion
All in all, there is a place in Australia for landfill sites.
However, the use of them needs to be reduced significantly in order for us to make headway with an eco-friendlier society.
If people make a big effort to reduce, reuse and recycle, we will be much closer to where we need to be in terms of using landfill sites less often.
What you can do
Help organise litter collections in your local town, encourage community groups to join in.
Making this a regular event can be a great way of ensuring your town stays beautiful and keeps local wildlife happy.
If your place of work doesn’t currently have a recycling program in place, consider approaching management about it.
A good system can make a huge difference. This is especially true for larger organisations.
Check that packaging your company uses is recyclable – avoiding single use plastics is super important.
Above all, manage your own waste as well as possible. Taking personal responsibility is the best step we can all take.