Barrier: An obstacle that prevents movement or access.
Cap: When a landfill reaches its permitted height, or amount of trash accepted, a final layer of clay is installed. Prevents precipitation from entering the landfill, escape of methane gas, and reduces odor.
Clay Soil: Used as a bottom and top layer during landfill construction. Forms a barrier to prevent leachate from contaminating groundwater.
Closed Landfill: A landfill no longer accepting trash.
Closure: The period of time after a landfill has reached its permitted capacity. The landfill has not received certification of closure from a state regulatory agency (IDEM). During the closure the landfill is capped and landscaping is completed.
Contaminated: To make unfit for use by adding something harmful.
Daily Cover: The material used to cover the working face of a landfill at the close of each day. Trash is covered with six to 12 inches of soil or other material. Helps reduce odor and trash from blowing around.
Dump: An open pit people used in the past to get rid of trash.
Environment: All the physical surroundings on earth, including everything living and nonliving.
Garbage: Everyday items discarded by households, businesses, and organizations. Commonly referred to as trash or solid waste.
Groundwater: Water located beneath the surface of the earth.
Habitat: A place that provides food, water, shelter, and space for plants and animals.
Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM): State agency tasked with protecting the environment and human health.
Landfill: Engineered structure in which trash is isolated from the surrounding environment. Landfills use a series of layers and barriers to keep trash inside the landfill.
Layer: Thickness of a material laid on or spread over a surface.
Leachate: Liquids, such as rain and snow, which have come in contact with trash. The liquid oozes through the trash in a landfill.
Liner: A thick plastic layer on the top and bottom of a landfill. It keeps leachate and methane gas within the landfill. Protects groundwater and the environment.
Methane Gas Pipes: Decomposing trash in landfills produce methane gas. Methane gas pipes vent landfill gas into the environment.
Municipal Solid Waste: Garbage, aka trash, from residential homes, restaurants, retail centers, and office buildings.
Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Regulation: A law, rule, or directive made and maintained by an authority.
Solid Waste: Commonly known as trash or garbage, is a waste type consisting of everyday items that are discarded by households, businesses, and organizations. Stream: A body of running water flowing on the earth.
Topsoil: The rich upper layer of soil, where most plant roots grow. Trash: Everyday items discarded by households, businesses, and organizations. Trash is commonly referred to as garbage or solid waste.
