Landfilling and land raising – justification

Landfilling is the disposal of waste into void spaces in the land often left as a result of mineral extraction. Land raising is the disposal of waste by depositing on land thereby raising its level. 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 the 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