What is a landfill?

A landfill is a constructed space on the ground to store waste.  Landfills can be built in valleys, quarries, or on top of the land to form hills.  Waste needs to be kept separate from the outside environment by barriers.  Barriers on the base, sides and top of the landfill are built of clay and sometimes plastic.

A large landfill will have 1000 tonnes of waste delivered by 150 trucks each day.  This is the amount of waste generated from homes, workplaces and the construction and demolition activities of a community of half a million people.

A landfill is broken up into cells.  Once the cell is full, tipping activity moves to the next cell.  It takes approximately two years (at the rate of one Olympic size swimming pool every two days) to fill a cell that is 100m wide and 350m long and holds on average 700,000 cubic metres of waste.

What can we do to reduce landfill?

Reduce Waste -

• Use your own reusable boxes or bags when shopping;
• Buy loose vegetables rather than pre-packed;
• Use both sides of paper for printing;
• Ensure that your household waste is separated and that any recyclable material is placed in the recycle bin;
• Utilise skip bins for household cleanups - remember that, on average, 90% of this waste can be recycled;
• Use empty bottles and jars for storage;
• Take unwanted clothes to charity shops or place them in charity bins;
• Speak to your children about recycling - you'll be surprised how much they already know!

As individuals, we have the choice to make a difference.  Waste is a problem - waste management is the solution.  Recycling is an easy way to get active and make an impact.  The chief benefit of recycling is in knowing that you are doing your part to save our environment - an end result from which we will all benefit.

For an insight into national waste management and other topics, go to www.insidewaste.com.au.