Diagram of Building a Landfill

OBJECTIVE:

To learn the structure and function of a landfill.

MATERIALS:

• plastic cups
• clay
• trash
• metric rulers
• plastic trash bags
• soil
• straws

INTRODUCTION:

A landfill is an area used to store trash. A hole is dug out, lined with protective coverings, filled with trash, and then covered by soil. When the landfill is full, a final covering of clay and soil is placed over the trash. To remove methane gas (a by-product of decomposition) pipes are placed into each level of trash.

PROCEDURE:

1. Line a plastic cup with approximately 2 mm of clay. Be sure to leave a 5 cm x 5cm window covered by clay.
2. Cut a piece of the trash bag to fit over the clay (leave the window uncovered).
3. Place about 4 cm of trash in the cup.
4. Insert a straw, straight up and down, inside the trash layer.
5. Cover the layer of trash with 1 cm of soil and compact.
6. Make a second layer of trash repeating steps 4, 5, and 6.
7. Cover the upper layer of soil with 2 mm of clay.
8. Cover the clay with 2 mm of soil.