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A '''Landfill''' Site is the ultimate destination for waste, ideally after all forms of [[Reuse]], [[Recycling]], and [[Recovery]] have been undertaken and as such it is at the bottom of the [[Waste Hierarchy]].
A [[Landfill]] Site is the ultimate destination for waste, ideally after all forms of [[Reuse]], [[Recycling]], and [[Recovery]] have been undertaken and as such it is at the bottom of the [[Waste Hierarchy]].
[[Category:Technologies & Solutions]]
[[Category:Technologies & Solutions]]
[[File:General Landfill Pic.png|500px|left|General Picture of Landfill Compactor compacting MSW Waste]]__TOC__
[[File:General Landfill Pic.png|500px|left|General Picture of Landfill Compactor compacting MSW Waste]]__TOC__
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Whilst Landfill is the ultimate destination for waste, ideally after all forms of [[Reuse]], [[Recycling]], and [[Recovery]] have been undertaken, there will always be a small element of waste that will need to be landfilled in a safe and secure way (under the [[Landfill Directive]] no more than 10% of [[MSW]] generated by weight is to be landfilled by 2035). In developing countries, with limited infrastructure, the delivery of Sanitary Landfill would represent a huge step forwards in protecting water resources and human health.
Whilst Landfill is the ultimate destination for waste, ideally after all forms of [[Reuse]], [[Recycling]], and [[Recovery]] have been undertaken, there will always be a small element of waste that will need to be landfilled in a safe and secure way (under the [[Landfill Directive]] no more than 10% of [[MSW]] generated by weight is to be landfilled by 2035). In developing countries, with limited infrastructure, the delivery of Sanitary Landfill would represent a huge step forwards in protecting water resources and human health.


The key legal requirements for managing landfill have been implemented in the UK through the [[Landfill (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2005|Landfill Regulations 2005]] which implemented the [[Landfill Directive]] and defined 3 types of Landfill:
The key legal requirements for managing landfill have been implemented in the UK through the [[Landfill (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2005|Landfill Regulations 2005]] which implemented the [[Landfill Directive]] and defined three types of Landfill:
*[[Non-Hazardous Landfill]] (the link goes to a page listing sites in England, Wales and Scotland and includes those site with a [[Stabilised Non-Reactive Hazardous Waste]] cell))
*'''[[Inert Landfill]]'''
*[[Hazardous Landfill]]
*'''[[Non-Hazardous Landfill]]''' (and those with a '''[[Stabilised Non-Reactive Hazardous Waste]] cell''')
*[[Inert Landfill]]
*'''[[Hazardous Landfill]]'''
 
 
and the standards are set out for the key stages of landfill in regards to:
and the standards are set out for the key stages of landfill in regards to:
*initial choice of location
*initial choice of location
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==Landfill Capacity==
==Landfill Capacity==
The [[EA]] reported<ref>[https://data.gov.uk/dataset/237825cb-dc10-4c53-8446-1bcd35614c12/remaining-landfill-capacity EA Remaining Landfill Capacity]</ref> the following remaining Landfill Capacity for England in 2019:
===England===
All data 2020<ref>[https://data.gov.uk/dataset/237825cb-dc10-4c53-8446-1bcd35614c12/remaining-landfill-capacity EA Remaining Landfill Capacity]</ref>.
 
{{#clear_external_data:}}{{#get_db_data:
db=engy
|from=lfvoidtbl
|where=year=2020 and cntry='England'
|data=type=type, num=num, void=void, avgvoid=avgvoid
|order by=type
|suppress error
}}
{| class="wikitable"
  ! Type of [[Landfill]] !! Number of Sites !! Total Void (m<sup>3</sup>) !! Average Void per site (m<sup>3</sup>){{#for_external_table:<nowiki/>
  {{!}}-
  {{!}} [[{{{type}}}]]
  {{!}} {{{num}}}
  {{!}} {{{void}}}
  {{!}} {{{avgvoid}}}
  }}
|}
===Scotland===
All Data for 2019, owning to a cyber attack at [[SEPA]] there is currently no 2020 data.
 
{{#clear_external_data:}}{{#get_db_data:
db=engy
|from=lfvoidtbl
|where=year=2019 and cntry='Scotland'
|data=type=type, num=num, void=void, avgvoid=avgvoid
|order by=type
|suppress error
}}
{| class="wikitable"
  ! Type of [[Landfill]] !! Number of Sites !! Total Void (tonnes) !! Average Void per site (tonnes){{#for_external_table:<nowiki/>
  {{!}}-
  {{!}} [[{{{type}}}]]
  {{!}} {{{num}}}
  {{!}} {{{void}}}
  {{!}} {{{avgvoid}}}
  }}
|}
===Wales===
Void data for 2018 for wales, Site Count Data is 2020.


{{#clear_external_data:}}{{#get_db_data:
db=engy
|from=lfvoidtbl
|where=year=2018 and cntry='Wales'
|data=type=type, num=num, void=void, avgvoid=avgvoid
|order by=type
|suppress error
}}
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
  ! Type of [[Landfill]] !! Number of Sites !! Total Void (m<sup>3</sup>) !! Average Void per site (m<sup>3</sup>){{#for_external_table:<nowiki/>
! EA Code !! Landfill Type !! Remaining Capacity (2019) (Cubic metres) !! % Split by Remaining Capacity !! Number of Sites !! Average Capacity per Site (Cubic metres)
  {{!}}-
|-
  {{!}} [[{{{type}}}]]
| L02||[[Non-Hazardous Landfill]] with [[Stabilised Non-Reactive Hazardous Waste]] cell || 69,446,709 || 5.0% || 50 || 1,388,934
  {{!}} {{{num}}}
|-
  {{!}} {{{void}}}
| L04|| [[Non-Hazardous Landfill]] || 160,160,458 || 18.7% || 204 || 785,100
  {{!}} {{{avgvoid}}}
|-
  }}
| L01||[[Hazardous Landfill]] || 18,443,160 || 43.1% || 17 || 1,084,892
|-
| L05||[[Inert Landfill]] || 122,375,212 || 33.0% || 259 || 472,491
|-
| L06||Hazardous Restricted Landfill || 832,407 || 0.2% || 6 || 138,735
|-
| || Total || 371,257,946 ||100% || 536 || 692,645
|}
|}
The capacity of Non-Hazardous Landfill (with and without [[SNRHW]]) has been reducing at around 18 to 20 million cubic metres per year since 2015. At this continued rate of consumption, this landfill capacity would be filled within 10 years, unless further capacity is consented/bought into operation (although the rate of consumption of Non-Hazardous Landfill with SNRHW is being consumed slightly slower). A report for [[DEFRA]] published in August 2020<ref>[http://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=More&Location=None&ProjectID=20309&FromSearch=Y&Status=3&Publisher=1&SearchText=Landfill&GridPage=3&SortString=ProjectCode&SortOrder=Asc&Paging=10#Description WR1922 Future Economics of Landfill]</ref> considers void consumption in Non-Hazardous Landfill at current rates of infill and over future input scenarios based on different recycling and growth rates and concludes:
* Overall inputs between 2013 to 2018 were at 27 million tonnes+/- 1 million tonnes
* 75% of the capacity for Non-Hazardous Waste in England is held at 36 sites.
* Just 15 operational sites hold 50% of the capacity
* At 2018 input rates, new void would be required nationally by 2024, but with significant regional variation.
* This extends to 2028 with their assumptions of [[Residual Waste EFW]] coming on stream and potentially extends to 2029 and 2030 depending on future recycling scenarios


The capacity of Non-Hazardous Landfill (with and without [[SNRHW]]) has been reducing at around 18 to 20 million cubic metres per year since 2015. At this continued rate of consumption, this landfill capacity would be filled within 10 years, unless further capacity was consented/bought into operation.
==Landfill Overview==
==Landfill Overview==
The placement of waste in a landfill will slowly degrade over time, and in the case of the presence of [[Organic Waste]] within the [[Residual Waste]] going to landfill, it will breakdown to produce '''[[Landfill Gas]]''' and '''[[Leachate]]''' which have the potential to cause environmental pollution. As a result the selection of the site and the engineering and containment design to protect the environment, and specifically underlying groundwater, is critical to the successful delivery of a modern landfill.  
The placement of waste in a landfill will slowly degrade over time, and in the case of the presence of [[Organic Waste]] within the [[Residual Waste]] going to landfill, it will breakdown to produce '''[[Landfill Gas]]''' and '''[[Leachate]]''' which have the potential to cause environmental pollution. As a result the selection of the site and the engineering and containment design to protect the environment, and specifically underlying groundwater, is critical to the successful delivery of a modern landfill.  
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*To provide an effective growing medium and afteruse for the site
*To provide an effective growing medium and afteruse for the site


Commonly, the capping layer will consist of a compacted clay layer of 1 metre thickness, placed on the last levels of the waste (which is often a thicker layer of final cover to provide a uniform level for placement of the material). This capping layer can be replaced or supplemented by '''flexible membranes''' such as LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) or GCL (Geo-synthetic Clay) in varying combinations. Flexible membranes can be  welded together (or fused) similar to engineering lining systems or laid over-lapped with no fused joints.
Commonly, the capping layer will consist of a compacted clay layer of 1 metre thickness, placed on the last levels of the waste (which is often a thicker layer of final cover to provide a uniform level for placement of the material). This capping layer can be replaced or supplemented by '''flexible membranes''' such as LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) or GCL (Geo-synthetic Clay) in varying combinations. Flexible membranes can be  welded together (or fused) similar to engineering lining systems or laid over-lapped with no fused joints. Guidance on landfill capping was published by the Engineering Sub-group of the EA/industry Landfill Regulation Group in 2018.


Soil thickness will depend upon the proposed afteruse of the site; uses involving deep-rooted plants will require thicker soils to protect the engineered capping layer from root-penetration.
Soil thickness will depend upon the proposed afteruse of the site; uses involving deep-rooted plants will require thicker soils to protect the engineered capping layer from root-penetration.
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Landfill sites where all tipping has ceased and the all infrastructure for '''post-closure''' management has been installed are deemed "closed" following agreement with the [[EA]].
Landfill sites where all tipping has ceased and the all infrastructure for '''post-closure''' management has been installed are deemed "closed" following agreement with the [[EA]].


The landfill operator is required to continue to maintain monitoring and management of the site post-closure until it can be shown to the satisfaction of the [[EA]] that the active management of the site by the operator is no longer required. Assessment of such a state is measured against criteria identified in WMP26A<ref name="refA" /> and subsequent [[EA]] guidance. It is generally accepted for non-hazardous landfill sites that this is unlikely to be able to shown for at least 60 years post-closure, probably somewhat longer. This period is known as the '''aftercare''' period.
The landfill operator is required to continue to monitor and manage the site post-closure until it can be shown to the satisfaction of the [[EA]] that the active management of the site by the operator is no longer required. Assessment of such a state is measured against criteria identified in WMP26A<ref name="refA" /> and subsequent [[EA]] guidance. It is generally accepted for non-hazardous landfill sites that this is unlikely to be demonstrated for at least 60 years post-closure or possibly longer. This period is known as the '''aftercare''' period.


There is published guidance on landfill permit surrender available from the [[EA]]<ref>Additional guidance for Landfill (EPR 5.02) and other permanent deposits of waste - How to surrender your environmental permit</ref>.
There is published guidance on landfill permit surrender available from the [[EA]]<ref>Additional guidance for Landfill (EPR 5.02) and other permanent deposits of waste - How to surrender your environmental permit</ref>and guidance was updated in March 2022<ref>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/landfill-epr-502-and-other-permanent-deposits-of-waste-how-to-surrender-your-environmental-permit?</ref>.


===Settlement and Surcharge===
===Settlement and Surcharge===
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