Observations of solid waste landfills in developing countries : Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Johannessen, Lars Mikkel | Boyer, Gabriela
This study identifies emerging features, practices, and necessary improvements, in the final disposal of solid waste, based on observations from visits in 1997-98, to Africa, East Asia and Pacific, and, Latin America and the Caribbean regions. It discusses trends in the regulatory area, private sector involvement, and, trends concerning the impact on sanitary landfills. Through cross-regional findings in waste disposal, the study identified three important - though negative - issues: an extensive use of daily soil cover on newly deposited, or compacted waste; very little management of landfill gas; and, problematic, often inadequate, unproductive management measures. The report observes that the application of daily cover in landfills, accounts in some cases, for fifty percent of operating costs, while this practice, also causes waste bio-degradation, which hinders unproductive re-circulation. The study provides an overall background on the subject, and introduces the types of landfills explored, considering perceptions, costs, and impacts, of main environmental concern associated with landfill management, in each region. Recommendations include, institutional strengthening, gas recovery or re-assessment of passive gas-ventilation, and introduction of tipping fees.
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