SANITARY LANDFILL...
An Ansvoerz to a
Community Problem
A Route to a
Community Asset
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Americans are discarding solid wastes at the rate of 360 million tons annually—and the rate may
double in the next decade. Disposing of these wastes is a growing problem in many communities.
The citizens of Los Angeles County are solving their problem by using sanitary landfills, such as
the one at the Mission Canyon Site (cover) in the Santa Monica mountains of west Los Angeles. Two
years after full-scale filling operations began in the large canyon, residential development began on the
adjacent ridges. Today numerous houses, none valued at less than $75,000, surround the 500-acre site.
Small parks have been built on the land that has already been filled in. When the site is completely
filled in, Los Angeles citizens will enjoy a large regional park that will include several golf courses.
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a saoffaR Landfill is - - and is not
A complete solid waste handling system— storage, collection, disposal— is a basic need in every
community. Sanitary landfill is a clean, practical and economical answer to a community's need to
dispose of its solid wastes without creating a nuisance or hazard to public health and safety. A sanitary
landfill is a far cry from the old-fashioned dump, which is a breeding ground for disease-carrying rats
and insects, a polluter of air and water, a source of unpleasant odors, and a community eyesore. A
competently planned and engineered sanitary landfill has none of these disadvantages.
In a sanitary landfill, the wastes are spread, compacted, and then covered with a 6-inch
compacted layer of earth at the end of every day— or more frequently if necessary. When a site is
completely filled, it is sealed over with at least 2 feet of clean earth. In this way, communities across
the country have reclaimed land, frequently of marginal value, converting it to parks, playgrounds,
golf courses, botanical gardens, and other recreational areas.
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Land Can Be FiLLed by a
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NumbeR of Methoos, f
Depending on the
Natural or man-made depressions
such as deep ravines, canyons, or
quarries can be filled by the ramp
method.
SOI,ID WASH.
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Flat or gently
sloping land
generally calls
for the trench
method.
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' ORIGINAL
MPACTED
SOLID WASTE
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DAILY EARTH
COVER (6-IM.)
.. FROM SIDES OR HAULED IN
' ORIGINAL
GROUND
Low areas, as
well as natural or
man-made
depressions, can
be filled by the
area method.
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equipment needs
One crawler tractor can handle all the solid wastes from a community of up to 60,000 people. An
additional piece of equipment is generally needed for each additional 75,000 people.
cost
The cost of operating a sanitary landfill averages between $1.00 to $2.00 per person per year,
depending on the population served. Larger operations are more efficient and economical, so small
communities should consider banding together to minimize costs.
GPO : 1970 O - 408-879
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A sanitary landfill is an economical and acceptable method of solid waste disposal. It is the
choice of an ever-increasing number of U.S. communities—and it may be the answer to your
community's solid waste disposal problem. Your State solid waste agency or local government can
provide additional information.
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE PUBLICATION NO. 1012
1st printing 1963
2d printing 1966
Revised 1970
U.S. DEPARTMENT QF.HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
Public Health Service
Environmental Health Service
Bureau of Solid Waste Management
1970
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 1 0 cents; $7.50 per 1 00
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