Chapter 13 - Status of landfilling in developing and developed nations: A literature review

Abstract

A major issue for society and government is the rising problem of solid waste due to urbanization and population growth. It was predicted that by 2100, the daily amount of waste produced worldwide would reach 11 million tons. Since the dawn of time, landfills have been viewed as the simplest solution to managing this waste, even though they have been linked to catastrophic events on more than one occasion. Many nations use landfills, as it is the most common and efficient waste management option. It is extensively utilized in developing nations since it is the least expensive option for waste management. Waste management in the developing countries is more problematic than in developed ones since dumpsites and scientific landfills are viewed as the most convenient and economical solutions for disposing of solid waste. However, nowadays many developing countries are taking steps to improve solid waste management. Developed countries have also successfully implemented various treatments and re-use procedures for generated municipal solid waste, such as recycling, composting, and energy recovery, in addition to disposing of the waste in appropriately engineered landfills. This chapter compares and contrasts landfilling practices in developed countries and developing countries, focusing on the most important characteristics by showing the comparison between various developed and developing countries around the globe for this study.