What type of waste can typically be handled at sanitary landfills?

Sanitary landfills are specifically designed to handle non-hazardous solid waste, which includes everyday garbage from households and businesses, such as food scraps, paper, plastics, and other materials that are not toxic or harmful to the environment. The main purpose of a sanitary landfill is to safely contain this type of waste while minimizing its impact on the surrounding environment and public health.

By employing techniques such as compaction and covering the waste with soil, sanitary landfills can effectively reduce odor, control pests, and prevent leachate from contaminating the surrounding soil and groundwater. The waste is strategically layered and compacted to optimize space and ensure a stable structure within the landfill.

In contrast, hazardous waste, liquid waste, and radioactive waste require specialized handling, treatment, and disposal due to their potential risks to health and the environment. These types of waste cannot be managed in sanitary landfills because they pose significant safety and environmental hazards that necessitate different disposal methods that comply with stringent regulations and guidelines. Therefore, the handling of non-hazardous solid waste is what makes sanitary landfills an appropriate and safe option for waste management.