Environmental Risks of Landfilling and Land Raising

Landfilling and land raising of municipal waste are at the bottom of the waste management hierarchy and they are usually the least sustainable waste management option. Particular issues associated with these methods include the risk of release of methane gas into the air and adjoining ground or leachate into the soil, groundwater and surface water. Compliance with the siting, engineering and operational requirements of the Landfill Directive is an essential pre-requisite and strict controls will be applied under waste management licensing and IPPC permitting.