Landfill diversion
Encyclopedia
Waste diversion or landfill diversion is the process of diverting waste from landfill
. The success of landfill diversion can be measured by comparison of the size of the landfill from one year to the next. If the landfill grows minimally or remains the same, then policies covering landfill diversion are successful. For example, currently in the United States there are 3000 landfills. A measure of the success of landfill diversion would be if that number remains the same or is reduced.
Landfill diversion can occur through recycling
. Recycling refers to taking used materials and creating new products in order to prevent the disposal of these products in landfills. Recycling material can include glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics.
In addition to reusing materials waste products can go through biological treatment. There are two types of biological treatments anaerobic digestion
or composting. Simply stated, biological treatment is the breaking down of material through the action of micro-organisms. Materials are broken down to carbon dioxide, water and biomass. Some materials easily break down, others do not. The environment in which the material is placed determines the speed of breakdown.
Another method of landfill diversion is thermal treatment
(such as Incineration
). Approximately sixteen percent (16%) of waste is incinerated yearly in the United States. One-fifth (1/5) of municipal solid waste is recycled into usable fuel. Incineration, however, can lead to other environmental issues that may have positive or negative results.
European waste legislation focuses upon the diversion of biodegradable waste
from landfill, due to its potential to add to the effects of climate change
.
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
. The success of landfill diversion can be measured by comparison of the size of the landfill from one year to the next. If the landfill grows minimally or remains the same, then policies covering landfill diversion are successful. For example, currently in the United States there are 3000 landfills. A measure of the success of landfill diversion would be if that number remains the same or is reduced.
Landfill diversion can occur through recycling
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
. Recycling refers to taking used materials and creating new products in order to prevent the disposal of these products in landfills. Recycling material can include glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics.
In addition to reusing materials waste products can go through biological treatment. There are two types of biological treatments anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a series of processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. It is used for industrial or domestic purposes to manage waste and/or to release energy....
or composting. Simply stated, biological treatment is the breaking down of material through the action of micro-organisms. Materials are broken down to carbon dioxide, water and biomass. Some materials easily break down, others do not. The environment in which the material is placed determines the speed of breakdown.
Another method of landfill diversion is thermal treatment
Thermal treatment
Thermal treatment is a term given to any waste treatment technology that involves high temperatures in the processing of the waste feedstock. This commonly, although not exclusively involves the combustion of waste materials....
(such as Incineration
Incineration
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incineration and other high temperature waste treatment systems are described as "thermal treatment". Incineration of waste materials converts the waste into ash, flue gas, and...
). Approximately sixteen percent (16%) of waste is incinerated yearly in the United States. One-fifth (1/5) of municipal solid waste is recycled into usable fuel. Incineration, however, can lead to other environmental issues that may have positive or negative results.
European waste legislation focuses upon the diversion of biodegradable waste
Biodegradable waste
Biodegradable waste is a type of waste, typically originating from plant or animal sources, which may be degraded by other living organisms. Waste that cannot be broken down by other living organisms are called non-biodegradable....
from landfill, due to its potential to add to the effects of climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
.
See also
- Landfill Allowance Trading SchemeLandfill Allowance Trading SchemeThe Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme, LATS, is an initiative by the UK government, through DEFRA to help reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill.-How does it work?:...
- Landfill taxLandfill taxA landfill tax or levy is a form of tax that is applied in some countries to increase the cost of landfill. The tax is typically levied in units of currency per unit of weight or volume...