Landfill: meaning, definitions and examples

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landfill

[ˈlændˌfɪl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

waste disposal site

A landfill is a designated area where waste is disposed of by burying it under the ground. Landfills are commonly used for municipal solid waste disposal.

Synonyms

dump, garbage dump, rubbish tip.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
landfill	This is a regulated and controlled site where waste materials are buried and managed by authorities. It is often a formal and technical term used in environmental and waste management contexts. The city's landfill is nearly full, and they need to find a new site soon. Landfills are designed to minimize the impact of waste on the environment.
dump	Informal term that can refer to a place where waste is thrown away carelessly or an unregulated disposal area. It can also have a negative connotation, implying disorganization or neglect. He threw his old mattress in the dump on the outskirts of town. That place looks like a dump; no one has cleaned it in years.
rubbish tip	Predominantly used in British English to refer to a site where waste and discarded items are taken. It might be used informally but does not necessarily carry a negative tone. We took our old furniture to the rubbish tip at the weekend. The community rubbish tip is managed by the local council.
garbage dump	Commonly used to refer to a place where everyday household waste is disposed of, often in both informal and negative tones. It can imply mess and a lack of proper waste management. The garbage dump near the highway is causing a terrible smell in the area. People often illegally throw their trash in the old garbage dump behind the factory.

Examples of usage

The city's landfill is almost at full capacity.
The landfill is properly managed to prevent environmental pollution.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

area of land used for waste disposal

A landfill can also refer to the actual area of land where waste is disposed of. This area is usually divided into sections for different types of waste.

Synonyms

dumping ground, garbage disposal area, waste site.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
landfill	Commonly used in formal and technical contexts related to waste management. It refers to a site where waste is buried under the ground. The city plans to open a new landfill to accommodate increasing waste.
dumping ground	Often used in a negative or critical context to describe an area where waste is carelessly discarded. The riverbank has turned into an unauthorized dumping ground for local businesses.
waste site	A general term used in both formal and informal settings to refer to any location where waste materials are disposed of or managed. The new regulations will affect how waste sites operate.
garbage disposal area	This phrase is typically used in residential or community contexts to describe a designated place for residents to dispose of their household garbage. Residents should take their trash to the nearest garbage disposal area.

Examples of usage

The landfill expanded to accommodate the increasing amount of waste.
The landfill site was carefully selected to minimize impact on the environment.

Interesting Facts

Environmental Science

Landfills are carefully designed sites that contain waste, preventing harmful materials from polluting the air and groundwater.
Methane gas, a byproduct of decomposing waste in landfills, can be captured and used to generate energy.
Modern landfills are lined with materials to protect the environment, unlike older ones that used to be just open pits.

History

The practice of burying waste dates back thousands of years, with the oldest known landfill discovered in ancient Greece.
As cities grew in the 19th century, the volume of waste increased, leading to the development of designated landfill sites in urban areas.
In the 1970s, the U.S. introduced regulations to ensure safer landfill construction and operation, responding to growing environmental concerns.

Culture

Landfills have become symbols of consumerism and waste, prompting art installations that focus on environmental awareness.
In popular media, landfills often represent neglect and decay, serving as backdrops in films that explore human impact on nature.
Some communities hold events to clean up local landfills, turning them into parks or recreational spaces, promoting positive environmental change.

Waste Management Technology

Innovative technologies are being developed to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, such as recycling and composting programs.
Landfill mining is a new process where old landfills are excavated to reclaim valuable materials and reduce existing waste.
Modern landfills often employ automated systems for monitoring waste decomposition and managing environmental impacts.

Translations

Translations of the word "landfill" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aterro sanitário

🇮🇳 लैंडफिल

🇩🇪 Mülldeponie

🇮🇩 tempat pembuangan sampah

🇺🇦 сміттєзвалище

🇵🇱 składowisko odpadów

🇯🇵 埋立地

🇫🇷 décharge

🇪🇸 vertedero

🇹🇷 çöp sahası

🇰🇷 쓰레기 매립지

🇸🇦 مكب نفايات

🇨🇿 skládka

🇸🇰 skládka

🇨🇳 垃圾填埋场

🇸🇮 odlagališče odpadkov

🇮🇸 ruslahaugur

🇰🇿 қоқыс полигоны

🇬🇪 ნაგავსაყრელი

🇦🇿 zibilxana

🇲🇽 vertedero