Green Deal: “Sustainable Landfill Management” (SLM)
About this good practice
The usual method for landfills in the Netherlands is that the operator of the landfill first ensures a good under seal, followed by sealing with a top layer. The deposited waste is then completely isolated. This means that the waste materials are always retained and that the soil protection provisions must in principle be managed and controlled perpetually. An effective but expensive solution, that requires everlasting aftercare.
The SLM investigates the possibilities for speeding up the processes of degrading, stabilizing or otherwise rendering harmless the contaminants in a landfill. It is a strictly supervised research programme by the Dutch Government. It focuses on creating more sustainable landfills with a less complex (and less expensive) system of final sealing and aftercare activities.
By adding water and air to a landfill, the biodegradation processes in the landfill are stimulated. To eliminate the risks for the environment the quality of the remaining stable waste must meet the normal environmental standards.
Final goal of SLM is to reduce aftercare costs and environmental risks for future generations. The area of the landfill can be reused for other valuable purposes.
Main stakeholders:
• the Dutch waste management industry;
• Universities and research institutes;
• National and regional (Provinces) governments.
Expert opinion
From 2030 onward, all materials suitable for recycling will be restricted from ending up in a landfill. In line with the EU Landfill Directive, Member States must reduce the amount of municipal waste sent to landfill to 10% or less of the total amount of municipal waste generated by 2035. The concept of Sustainable Landfill Management (SLM) is often discussed within the context of the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. SLM focuses on minimizing the environmental impact of landfills while maximizing resource recovery and promoting sustainable practices. The initiative aims to improve landfill aftercare and reduce usually high costs. It is organised under a green deal arrangement whereby different stakeholders agree to work for a common goal. The good practice can be of interest to countries that have recently gone through a process of landfill closure.
Resources needed
Evidence of success
Potential for learning or transfer
Performing the principles of processing landfills will increase the possibilities for area development and reduce costs for aftercare. Other regions can take advantage of the pilots in the Netherlands. If the Green Deal SLM will be a success, the Netherlands expect financial savings of at least 66 million Euro for the 15 allocated SLM landfills in the Netherlands (In the Regulation implementing landfill decision soil protection (17 mei 2016, nr. IENM/BSK-2016/93326) is a saving on aftercare costs of 20€/m2 calculated).
The practice contributes to the following articles and annexes in the EU Directive 31/1999 on the landfill of waste, of applicability to landfills throughout the EU.
- Article 12: Control and monitoring procedures in the operational phase;
- Article 13: Closure and after care procedures.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Rijkswaterstaat