To Extend Useful Life of Toa Baja Municipal Solid Waste Landfill

Abstract

The objective of this project is to identify the main issues affecting Toa Baja Municipal Solid Waste Landfill and the reasons it is in the Environmental Protection Agency list for closure; and to provide some suggestions to extend the useful life of this landfill. This research is qualitative not quantitative; data was obtained from interviews, documents, field visits observations, online information and audiovisual materials. It is also retrospective because it relies on information already present. The analysis for this study will be examining the data available and trying to organize it in a logical sequence. A landfill is one of few systems for non-hazardous solid waste disposal in which the waste is buried between layers of earth to build up low-lying land, also called sanitary landfill. This method is the most common method of waste disposal but can create other issues like methane gas; liquefaction (condition where saturated or partially saturated soil substantially loses strength and stiffness) and soil and ground water contamination. Solid waste means any garbage and other discarded materials, including solid, liquids, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, construction, mining, agricultural operations and household. The solid waste could be divided into two areas; toxic or hazardous materials, and non-hazardous materials; and according to these two big classifications there are specific areas for final disposition and management. Leachate is the fluids from garbage placed on a specific area for a long time, which if percolate to the subsoil could contaminate the soils and ground water. Key Terms - Compost, Composting, Landfill, Leachate treatment, Recycling, Solid Waste Management.