Landfill Lifespan Estimation: A Case Study

Abstract

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management is one of the most serious environmental challenges facing the world at large due to the decomposing effect from the toxic gases being released into the environment by the MSW. The siting of landfill in any environment is a vital consideration that must be looked at due to the many factors such as the lifespan of the landfill, site selection, design, construction, operation and management. For this reason, it is important to estimate the lifespan of landfill accurately so as to explore the risk involved in acquiring new lands for landfills. Moreover, it is also necessary to consider proper methodology for estimating the lifespan of landfills. Based on these factors enumerated, various researchers have performed several laboratory tests in order to conclude on appropriate model that could be used to predict the lifespan of modern landfills. Mathematical models or expressions have also been suggested in the literature as an alternative approach to the estimation of landfills lifespan. This research used the future value of money equation to estimate the lifespan of the Aboso landfill in Tarkwa, Ghana. The result showed that the landfill could operate for the next twelve years before it could exhaust its usefulness.