The Largest Landfill in the World Is More Than 2.5 Times Bigger than Central Park

Introduction

Humans produce a staggering amount of waste every year, but where does it all go? Some waste is recycled, and some are reused. However, most garbage and solid waste go to landfills. While landfills might have been a good solution to the trash problem in the past, scientists are encountering ways in which landfills contribute to serious environmental problems.

Although, some landfills are moving toward sustainability. Despite its massive size, the largest landfill in the world has come up with solutions to decrease waste deposited into landfills. It has also utilized its waste in incredible ways to help the environment. Discover where the largest landfill in the world is located and find out what steps it’s taking toward sustainability.

Waste in the United States

Every day, a single American produces 4.9 pounds of trash on average. If every citizen’s waste contribution is combined, it adds up to around 600 billion pounds of trash produced per year! Below list some fascinating facts about landfills and waste production in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

• In 1960, 88.1 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) were produced. In 2018, 292.4 million tons of MSW were produced.
• 146.1 million tons of MSW ended up in landfills in 2018.
• Food makes up the largest amount of MSW landfilled, at 24.14%.
• 18% of MSW that ends up in landfills is plastic waste.
• 94% of MSW was landfilled in 1960; 50% of MSW was landfilled in 2018.
• In 1960, Americans produced 2.68 pounds of trash per person per day.

What are Landfills?

Landfills are open, barren sites in which solid waste and garbage are deposited. Waste in landfills is gradually compacted and covered by soil. A landfill begins with a wide base, where garbage is deposited. Over time, the base grows smaller as waste accumulates vertically, forming a pseudo-mountain of garbage buried beneath the soil. Four main types of landfills exist, which are Municipal solid waste, industrial waste, green waste, and hazardous waste landfills.

Landfills are monitored by the government, and they are made to comply with federal rules and regulations. While landfills comply with these rules, they are not necessarily environmentally friendly. Landfills release methane gas into the atmosphere, and methane gas absorbs the sun’s heat to an extent far greater than the absorption of other greenhouse gases.

Heat absorption by greenhouse gases contributes to climate change, which occurs when emissions capture the sun’s heat and trap it close to Earth’s surface. Trapped heat causes a rise in global temperatures, which results in climate change. Climate change is harmful to animals, the environment, and humans. For instance, a rise in global temperatures can increase the likelihood and force of natural disasters, which often leave habitats destroyed and animals and humans displaced.

Landfills also release carbon dioxide and trace amounts of elements, such as nitrogen or hydrogen, into the atmosphere. These elements and compounds contribute to global warming and climate change in a similar way that methane does. They can also create smog. Smog is a type of air pollution common to large cities. Smog reduces visibility and decreases air quality, which is harmful to the health of wildlife and humans.

Creating landfills also causes habitat loss and habitat fragmentation. The average landfill covers 600 acres of land. When landfills are constructed, plant and animal life must be removed or relocated. Thus, animals lose their habitats to the creation of landfills. Habitat loss and fragmentation can cause some animal populations to decrease. Furthermore, other species may become endangered or even extinct due to habitat loss.

The federal government requires that landfills incorporate a lining into their structure. This lining is meant to keep any waste leakage out of the soil or nearby water systems. However, these liners can break or tear, resulting in leakage. Waste leakage, also called leachate, can contaminate bodies of water, which decreases human health and has the potential to kill aquatic animal species.

Finally, leachate that makes its way into bodies of water can result in irreversible negative effects. Leachate contains ammonia, and ammonia transforms into nitrate when it reaches certain ecosystems. Nitrate causes eutrophication. Eutrophication refers to decreased oxygen levels in water sources. When oxygen levels decrease in bodies of water, aquatic animals cannot survive.

Thus, these animals die, and their bodies will decompose to create organic matter. Organic matter contains ammonia, which turns to nitrate once over and, as a result, kills more aquatic species. Thus, leachate can result in a positive feedback cycle that completely disrupts and halts life in ecosystems. When ecosystems experience eutrophication in this way, they are referred to as “dead zones” because life cannot and will not survive.

The Largest Landfill in the World

Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the largest landfill in the world is Apex Regional Landfill. Apex Regional Landfill opened in 1993, and the landfill takes in waste from the greater Las Vegas area. The landfill covers around 2,200 acres of land and holds about 50 million tons of garbage and waste. It is estimated that Apex Regional Landfill has a lifespan of 250 years, and the landfill operates 24/7, 365 days per year. By comparison, New York City’s Central Park covers 843 acres of land. Thus, Apex Regional Landfill is approximately 2.61 times larger than Central Park.

Apex Regional Landfill operates in an area known as the “working face.” The working face is the plateau of Apex Regional Landfill that measures between two to three acres. Every truck that dumps garbage onto the working face brings with it around 30 tons of waste. After the truck dumps the garbage, compactors spread the trash and mash it down. Compacting trash on the working face helps to extend the lifespan of the landfill.

At the same time, compacting trash on the working face does not mean that the trash pile won’t grow. As tons upon tons of trash are brought to Apex Regional Landfill every day, the working face begins to grow upwards. One worker describes it as a pyramid: the landfill must have a wide base so that the garbage can accumulate vertically. Apex Regional Landfill stretches approximately 500 feet tall.

However, the landfill’s sole purpose is not solely to pile up garbage. In fact, the Apex Regional Landfill works to give back to the environment. Methane gas produced by landfills can be used to create renewable energy, which powers homes and businesses. Landfill gas can be collected, processed, and transformed into electricity.

This process reduces odors associated with landfills, decreases the occurrences of landfill-related hazards, and reduces methane released into the atmosphere, which helps prevent smog and climate change. Apex Regional Landfill engages in this renewable energy process to power around 11,000 homes, as of 2021.

While one might believe that Apex Regional Landfill will run out of room soon, it is estimated to continue operations for the next 250 to 300 years. While Apex Regional Landfill operates, a mining company digs out the surrounding landscape. This action creates a wider base for the landfill to utilize in the future when the mining company finishes pulling resources from the land.

Furthermore, Apex Regional Landfill is likely to have a longer lifespan due to the expansive recycling industry in Las Vegas. The city contains the largest residential recycling center on the North American continent. As recycling expands, people produce less waste that is sent to the landfill. Less garbage in the landfill increases Apex Regional Landfill’s longevity.

In addition, Apex Regional Landfill is minimizing the food waste that is dumped on their working face. Las Vegas creates an incredible amount of food waste due to its tourism and buffet-style restaurants. Rather than allocating all food waste to Apex Regional Landfill, residents have discovered another solution. One livestock owner in the area receives a maximum of 40,000 pounds of food waste every day from Las Vegas casinos. The food waste is processed and turned into slop for pigs to consume.

Overall, Apex Regional Landfill makes considerable efforts to minimize the amount of waste it receives. While this might seem contradictory, it’s a viable business strategy. By minimizing waste, the landfill creates long-term goals that allow it to stay in operation for hundreds of years to come. Apex Regional Landfill may still have a ways to go in achieving sustainability, but their efforts thus far are an example to other large landfills across the world.

Where Is Las Vegas Located on a Map?

Las Vegas is the 25th-most populous city in the United States and the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. It is often referred to simply as Vegas. It is internationally renowned and is a major resort city, known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife.  

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