Landfill mining

Landfill mining and reclamation (LFMR) is a process whereby solid wastes which have previously been landfilled are excavated and processed ^[1]. The concept of landfill mining was introduced as early as 1953 when the landfill operated by the City of Tel Aviv, Israel^[2]. Waste contains many resources with high value. The most notable of which are non-ferrous metals such as aluminium cans and metal scrap. The concentration of aluminium in many landfills is higher than the concentration of aluminium in bauxite from which the metal is derived.

Landfill mining is also possible in countries where land is not available for new landfill sites. In this instance landfill space can be reclaimed by the extraction of biodegradable waste and other substances then refilled with wastes requiring disposal.

References

^ Landfill Mining Landfill Mining, Preserving Resources through Integrated Sustainable Management of Waste, Technical Brief from the World Resource Foundation
^ Landfill Mining Paper D.J. van der Zee, et al (2003?) Assessing the Opportunities of Landfill Mining

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[1] Landfill Mining Landfill Mining, Preserving Resources through Integrated Sustainable Management of Waste, Technical Brief from the World Resource Foundation

[2] Landfill Mining Paper D.J. van der Zee, et al (2003?) Assessing the Opportunities of Landfill Mining

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See also

References