Typical Anatomy of a Landfill
- Cover Vegetation: Native grasses and shrubs that are planted on landfill parts that are completed
- Top Soil: Supports growth of the vegetation
- Protective Cover Soil: Protects the landfill cap system also providing support for the vegetation
- Drainage Layer: Layers of sand and gravel that enhance stability and keep water from getting through
- Geomembrane: Prevents Precipitation from getting through and makes a leachate
- Compacted Clay: Forms the cap when the landfill reaches permitted height
- Daily Cover: Reduces odors, keeps litter from scattering, and deters scavengers
- Leachate Collected layer: Collects leachate and allows it to drain to a pipe system
- Filter Geotextile: Separates solid particles from liquid preventive clogging
- Leachate collection pipe system: Pipes that transport leachate out of the landfill into the leachate treatment facilities
- Geomembrane: Keeps leachate from leaving the landfill and entering the environment
- Compacted Clay: Another barrier for leachate and prevents the escape of landfill gas
- Prepared subgrade: Native soils required to construct a landfill.