Analysis of Case Studies on Landfill Failures—Lessons Learnt

The safety and serviceability of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are directly linked to environmental and public health. They are usually achieved by proper design and meticulous monitoring. However, even after adequate design and diligent monitoring, certain circumstances could result in landfill failures. This paper presents and analyzes major landfill failures relying on documented case studies for different landfill components like liner, side slope, final cover, and leachate collection system. The various factors affecting their failure include elevated leachate level, erosion of soil cover, overbuilt waste slopes, poor installation of geotextiles, poor soil foundation, freeze/thaw condition, movement of heavy equipment during operation stages, etc. In most cases, these landfill failures are triggered by one of these variables or a combination of them affecting the natural environment, human health, and safety duly discussed in this article. The documented remedial works, including a survey of a landfill, method of installation of liner system, avoiding construction activities near the landfill, regular monitoring and maintenance of leachate and gas collection system in landfill, are delineated in this article. This article will assist practicing engineers in better designing landfills and will prepare them to overcome or handle such catastrophic failures.