In developing countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, landfilling remains the most common method of waste disposal. However, this practice poses a host of environmental, social, and logistical challenges. From groundwater contamination to land scarcity and public health risks, the repercussions of unscientific landfilling are significant and far-reaching.
Distinctive Challenges of Landfills in Developing Countries
Unlike engineered landfills in many nations, several landfills in developing countries are open dumpsites lacking any form of leachate treatment, gas recovery, or structural containment. These sites often receive mixed waste without prior segregation, leading to:
- Rapid filling of landfill space
- Spread of disease through vectors like rodents and flies
- Spontaneous fires due to methane accumulation
- Toxic leachate seeping into groundwater
- Displacement of informal waste pickers and local communities
In countries like India, Brazil, Nigeria, and Indonesia, large cities face massive legacy waste issues. Sites like Bhalswa in Delhi, Olusosun in Lagos, and Jardim Gramacho in Rio de Janeiro are towering landfills that have reached hazardous levels of accumulation, some dating back several decades.
Clearing Landfills: The Urgent Need
With urban land becoming increasingly scarce and waste generation rising steadily, clearing landfills is no longer an option but a necessity. Governments across developing countries are realizing the need for scientific interventions to manage legacy waste. This is where landfill mining comes in.
What is Landfill Mining?
Landfill mining is the process of excavating waste from old landfills and treating, segregating, and recovering usable materials from it. The goal is to:
- Reclaim valuable urban land
- Recover of recyclable materials like plastics and metals
- Extract inert material for use in construction
- Compost organic matter or prepare Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)
For more on landfill mining, see: https://youtu.be/DOQL5uoagPQ?si=ifHJY8rQYiDo1T07
Alfa Therm Limited: Revolutionizing Landfill Mining
As a leading environmental engineering company, Alfa Therm Limited has developed an integrated, scalable, and efficient approach to landfill mining tailored for conditions in developing nations. Our process includes:
- Scientific Profiling & Survey: Understanding the composition and structure of the legacy waste
- Excavation of Legacy Waste: Mechanical unearthing of decades-old municipal solid waste
- Primary Segregation: Initial segregation of waste into organic, recyclable, and inert fractions.
- Trommel Screening: High-capacity rotary screens to separate fine and bulky waste.
- Air Density Separation: Lightweight materials like plastics and thermocol are separated from heavier materials.
- Refuse Handling & Transportation: Proper routing of each fraction to appropriate recycling, co-processing, or disposal units.
Impact of Landfill Mining
- Land Reclamation: Several acres of land can be reclaimed and repurposed for parks, housing, and civic infrastructure
- Reduced Pollution: Lower leachate, methane emission, and fire incidents
- Resource Recovery: Extraction of compost, RDF, and recyclables boosts the circular economy
- Employment Generation: Skilled and semi-skilled jobs created in waste processing
Progress Till Date
Alfa Therm has successfully contributed to the clearing of millions of tons of legacy waste across multiple regions, delivering measurable environmental and spatial recovery.
As developing countries push forward with sustainable development goals, Alfa Therm continues to support urban authorities with technology-driven landfill mining solutions.
FAQs on Landfill Mining in Developing Countries
Legacy waste refers to old, decomposed municipal solid waste lying untreated in landfills for years or decades.
Yes, when done scientifically with proper screening, dust suppression, and safety measures.
It depends on the volume and nature of the waste. Some large landfills take months or years to clear completely.
Urban local bodies or municipal governments are primarily responsible, often supported by private solution providers like Alfa Therm Limited.
It is segregated into recyclables, RDF, compostable material, and inert material. Each is processed or reused accordingly.
Yes, once environmentally stabilized, reclaimed land can be used for public parks, housing, or infrastructure development.
