Rubbish and Waste Removal in Loughton
What Happens When Landfill Sites are Full?

Capping

Capping involves placing a cover landfill waste to isolate contaminants, keep them in place and prevent contamination.

This is the most traditional form of landfill closure and is widely used where there is minimal risk of contamination from the waste products on-site. Caps are usually made from concrete or asphalt. But, occasionally, soil with fresh turf is positioned over the landfill to create a green space. Venting systems will also be included to avoid gases building up underneath.

There are a number of reasons why landfills are capped:

• To prevent rainwater or melting snow seeping into the waste and carrying pollutants into water systems around Loughton or other areas

• To stop rubbish being strewn around in high winds or extreme weather conditions

• To eliminate the chances of foul odours or noxious gases escaping into the atmosphere

• To make sure people or animals don’t come into contact with dangerous materials or hazardous waste

It can take several decades for a landfill to reach full capacity and, once it’s suitably capped, the site is maintained and monitored for approximately 30 years. This is to ensure the cap doesn’t crack, erode or suffer unexpected damage due to environmental issues, plant life, or human and wildlife intervention. The groundwater will also be closely observed to guarantee there are no leakages from the waste below.

Did you know there are more than 20,000 closed landfill sites in the UK? Many are forgotten until the area in question is zoned for civil works or building. This can be beneficial as the groundworks will include sifting through the buried rubbish to recycle and reuse various materials discovered – a testament to the importance of responsible rubbish removal and recycling practices.

Alternative Waste Management Solutions

While landfills have been the primary method of waste disposal for many years, there is a growing need for alternative waste management solutions (beyond services like skip hire and local collections). As society becomes more aware of the environmental impact of landfills, efforts are being made to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in these sites.

Here are a few alternative rubbish clearance solutions that are gaining traction:

Recycling

Recycling is a crucial aspect of waste management that aims to convert waste materials into reusable resources. By sorting and processing recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass and metal, we can reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill. Recycling not only conserves natural resources but also helps reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. To recycle as much as possible, people in the Loughton area can make use of local recycling schemes and centres for everyday waste, and professional rubbish clearance and skip hire companies for larger amounts.

Composting

Composting is the natural decomposition of organic waste materials, such as food scraps and garden waste, into nutrient-rich soil. Instead of sending these materials to landfill via rubbish removal schemes, where they produce harmful greenhouse gases, composting allows for their transformation into a valuable resource for gardening and agriculture. Composting also helps improve soil quality and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers.

Waste-to-Energy

Waste-to-energy technologies involve converting non-recyclable waste into electricity, heat or fuel through various processes such as incineration, gasification or anaerobic digestion. These technologies can help reduce the volume of rubbish from waste removals going to landfill, while simultaneously generating renewable energy. However, it's important to ensure that proper emission control measures are in place to minimise environmental impact.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

EPR is a policy approach that holds manufacturers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, including the management of waste generated by those products. By shifting the burden of waste management onto producers, EPR encourages the design of more sustainable and recyclable products, as well as the establishment of collection and recycling systems.

Waste Reduction and Reuse

One of the most effective ways to minimise waste is to reduce consumption and encourage reuse. This can be achieved through practices such as promoting durable and repairable products, implementing packaging reductions, and supporting initiatives like charity shops and sharing platforms before rubbish clearance. By focusing on waste prevention, we can significantly reduce the amount of waste that needs to be managed.

Rubbish Removal with G&S Waste Management

Located in Rainham, G&S Waste Management is committed to reducing the amount of rubbish dumped in landfills. We focus on recycling as much as possible from our waste removals, including waste collected as part of our skip hire service. Our experienced team ensures the waste we collect is properly sorted and processed, diverting materials from landfill and promoting a more sustainable approach to rubbish removal.

For further information about our WEEE waste disposal and site waste management systems in Loughton and the surrounding localities, please contact us.