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Chapter 21: Problem 3

What are the major problems with placing waste in landfills? How can these problems be managed?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The main problems associated with landfill waste include leaching, landfill gas generation, waste volume, and contamination of water sources. These issues can be mitigated through improved landfill design, applying reduce-reuse-recycle principles, and initiating waste-to-energy programs.

Step by step solution

01

- Identify Problems

To answer this question, first, list the major environmental and health problems that occur due to the placement of waste in landfills. These issues might include leaching, generation of landfill gas, waste volume and decomposition rate, and contamination of water sources to name a few.
02

- Elaborate on each problem

Each problem identified should be explained in detail. For example, describe how leaching can contaminate groundwater with heavy metals and toxins from waste decomposition in landfill sites. Similarly, explain the generation of landfill gas including methane and CO2 and their impact on global warming.
03

- Suggest Solutions

Having identified the problems, it's important the second part of the question is answered by suggesting solutions or management strategies to mitigate each problem. These may include improved landfill design, application of waste management hierarchies (reduce, reuse, recycle), waste-to-energy programs etc.

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