How can landfills be made more sustainable?
Landfills are sites for waste disposal, also referred to as trash dumps or garbage dumps. Landfills are the most traditional and widely used method of waste disposal, with systematic rubbish burial methods using daily, intermediate, and ultimate covers introduced in the 1940s. Landfills are crucial for solid waste management as they keep communities clean, reduce environmental pollution, and prevent disease transmission.
Among the well-known landfills in India are:
- Bhalswa Landfill, Delhi: Bhalswa Landfill in northwest Delhi rises 53 meters above the surrounding areas, including the Bhalswa Resettlement Colony, Bhalswa Dairy, and Shraddhanand Colony. It causes severe pollution and poses health hazards to communities in the vicinity.
- Ghazipur Landfill, Delhi: One of the largest landfills in Delhi, it stands at 65 metres (213 feet) and has been a significant source of environmental and health concerns due to its size and the release of harmful gases and leachate. Strata Geosystems implemented a solution using StrataGrid geogrids and StrataWeb geocells to address landfill challenges. Our products improve local living conditions by capping the landfill, beautifying the area, and minimizing foul odors.
- Okhla Landfill, Delhi: This is another major landfill in Delhi that has been a cause of environmental and health issues due to the unscientific disposal of waste.
- Deonar Landfill, Mumbai: This is the largest and oldest landfill in Mumbai, receiving a substantial amount of waste daily and causing pollution in its surrounding areas.
- Kodungaiyur Landfill, Chennai: This landfill has been a significant concern due to its impact on the environment and the health of nearby communities.
Strata Geosystems is operational worldwide. We have successfully completed Villena’s landfill project. It included designing and delivering rainwater drainage systems and gas collection using Strata’s comprehensive StrataDrain drainage composite range and other geosynthetic products.
Today landfill management is a far more environmentally sensitive process through the use of the right materials to address the hazards of waste. Landfills can be sustainable, and waste management itself doesn’t have to be an unsolved problem. At Strata Geosystems, we have partnered with local authorities to provide solutions which are at an early stage such as leachate management, mid-stage such as landfill expansion through vertical expansion or end-stage oriented applications such as landfill capping.
What happens when landfills are not dealt with properly?
Improper landfill management can severely harm both the environment and human health. Improperly managed landfills discharge leachate, contaminating water supplies and degrading ecosystems. They also release methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Certain types of waste release additional harmful gases that pollute air and harm nearby residents. In addition to releasing unpleasant odors, the breakdown of garbage in landfills can draw bugs. Most landfills were constructed before surrounding areas became heavily populated, but they are now located in dense urban zones. Landfills require large areas of land and, if poorly managed, lower property values, deter residents, and pose governance challenges.
Strata Geosystems has spearheaded environmentally friendly projects, including the world’s first vertical landfill in Vapi, Gujarat, India. Located in a densely populated area, the landfill required innovative containment techniques and StrataGrid geosynthetic materials to expand its storage capacity. For vertical landfill expansion projects, Strata Geosystems uses geogrids, geocells, and reinforced soil structures as landfill construction options. Our knowledge and products are designed to offer effective and long-lasting solutions for land development and waste containment. We have participated in the development of contemporary landfills, like the one in Model City, New York, where high-pressure gas lines were circumvented using their techniques.
What are geosynthetic landfills?
The use of geosynthetic materials in landfill construction and closure to improve stability, stop erosion, and manage environmental effects is known as a geosynthetic landfill. As barriers to liquids and gases, drainage paths, liner system protection, geosynthetics like drainage geocomposites, geomembranes, geogrids, and geotextiles are very useful. These components are essential to the design of landfills in order to regulate waste cover applications, control odours, and stop water infiltration. On the other hand, poor geosynthetic system design or construction can cause stability problems and, in the worst case, even landfill collapses.
Here, geosynthetics are essential to landfill design because they act as drainage systems to gather liquids and stop leaks, as well as liners to stop liquid migration. Sturdy barriers that prevent the spread of fluids, geomembrane liners require rigorous construction standards to prevent damage. Geosynthetic drainage systems like StrataDrain lower hydrostatic stresses, drain accumulated liquids, and reinforce landfill veneers to improve stability without harming the soil. Errors in lined landfills highlight how crucial it is to use appropriate design and construction techniques when using geosynthetic materials. They are an obvious solution for any business trying to enhance its waste management procedures because of these advantages.
Environmental benefits of using geosynthetics in landfills:
The value of using geosynthetics are many for agencies seeking improved operations and updated solutions. Geosynthetic helps in-
- Preventing contamination: Geomembranes in geosynthetic liners prevent leachate leakage, reducing the risk of groundwater contamination from waste. At Strata Geosystems, we have also introduced a leak detection layer to ensure any compromise in the structure is immediately addressed.
- Improving Durability and stability: Geosynthetics resist chemical degradation, ensuring long-term durability and stability under various environmental conditions.
- Controlling odour and erosion: Geosynthetic covers offer flexibility in landfill design by controlling odors and erosion while enhancing functionality.
- Reducing Environmental Impact: By reducing the need for natural materials and minimizing disturbance to existing soil during installation, geosynthetics help lower the environmental impact of landfill construction and maintenance.
Geosynthetics improve landfill efficiency and cost-effectiveness while protecting the environment by reducing contamination risks and minimizing disturbances during construction.
We offer innovative solutions for landfill construction, such as geosynthetic drainage composites like StrataDrain, which works to improve landfill performance and maintenance efficiency. In the design of lined landfills, geosynthetic components are essential for creating liners to prevent vertical liquid migration and drainage fields to collect liquids and prevent leaks. Geomembrane liners act as stable barriers against liquid spread but require high construction standards to avoid damage.
Strata Geosystems provides a range of geotechnical products and comprehensive solutions for various applications, including landfills, mining operations, railways, container yards, and commercial and residential development projects. Our products like StrataWeb and StrataGrid offer cost-effective and sustainable solutions for soil reinforcement, erosion prevention, and waste containment in landfills and mining operations. By utilizing geosynthetics effectively, landfills can be built taller, allowing for higher waste storage capacity within the same land area.