Such a facility used earth or an inert material as daily cover for compacted waste. A commonly used classification system for landfills reflects the type of waste which each receives. There are landfills for hazardous wastes, municipal wastes and inert wastes. In practice, these are not exclusive definitions. Total containment Virtually all movement of water through the landfill is prevented.
Total containment imposes a long-term responsibility for monitoring and supervision.
This is the most widespread MSW management strategy in developed countries. While leachate sumps for collection and removal of leachate are sometimes provided, leachate levels are permitted to rise within the body of the waste, enhancing slow movement of leachates down through the liner and into the local ground environment. There, the leachates may be further attenuated by a range of processes. Naturally, this approach is not suited to every site location and geological setting, and full risk and environmental impact assessment approaches should be carried out with field data obtained before such a site is approved. Before constructing a landfill, detailed preparations are required by licensing authorities.