Briefing: Urban-mining of landfills

The proposed approach for the recirculation of land used as waste disposal sites will increase landfill lifespan, allow for greater access to recyclable materials and save land resources. Previous study of old landfills and dumping sites in the Perm region, Russia has shown that older landfills primarily consist of the remains of the municipal solid waste component and unsorted friable materials possessing low organic carbon content and high mineralisation. This composition allows for the classification of old landfill bodies as a mix of either soil materials or inert fractions. Using a biodegradable municipal solid waste components weight change analysis and assuming that biodegradation processes have completed, the maximum loss of biodegradable components is estimated at 75%. Earlier research revealed a volume loss of 45–61% over a 20-year period.