[land-fil] 
| 1. | a low area of land that is built up from deposits of solid refuse in layers covered by soil. |
| 2. | the solid refuse itself. |
| 3. | to create more usable land by this means. |
| 4. | to make (an area of land) by means of a landfill. |
| 5. | to use in a landfill: to landfill millions of tons of garbage each year. |
| sanitary landfill n. Rehabilitated land in which garbage and trash have been buried; a landfill. |
| landfill (lānd'fĭl') Pronunciation Key
A disposal site where solid waste, such as paper, glass, and metal, is buried between layers of dirt and other materials in such a way as to reduce contamination of the surrounding land. Modern landfills are often lined with layers of absorbent material and sheets of plastic to keep pollutants from leaking into the soil and water. Also called sanitary landfill. |
| sanitary landfill (sān'ĭ-těr'ē) Pronunciation Key
See landfill. |
sanitary landfill
method of controlled disposal of refuse on land. The method was introduced in England in 1912 (where it is called controlled tipping) and involves natural fermentation brought about by microorganisms. Usually the refuse is deposited in shallow layers, compacted, and covered within 24 hours with earth or other chemically inert material to form an effective seal. Mechanical equipment such as a bulldozer is used to grade, compact, and cover the refuse. The method often is employed to reclaim otherwise useless land, i.e., to fill declivities to levels convenient for building or park and other public purposes.
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