What is the purpose of maintaining daily cover on a landfill?

Maintaining daily cover on a landfill serves multiple important purposes, and one of the primary reasons is to reduce odors, pests, and windblown debris. By covering the waste with soil or other materials on a daily basis, these covers effectively contain the smells associated with decomposing waste. This minimizes odor dispersion into the surrounding environment, making the area more pleasant for nearby communities.

Additionally, the cover acts as a barrier against pests, such as rodents and insects, which are attracted to exposed waste. By limiting access to the waste, the cover helps to control pest populations. The use of daily cover also prevents windblown debris, which can lead to littering in surrounding areas and further environmental concerns.

While there are other benefits associated with daily cover, such as promoting vegetation growth over time or potentially aiding in landfill capacity management, the primary role of daily cover focuses on immediate odor control, pest reduction, and managing debris, making it a fundamental practice in landfill operations.