Sitting on top of the Dane County landfill, looking over mountains of compressed trash, my biggest surprise wasn’t the smell, it was the incredible behind-the-scenes work that goes into ensuring that our community stays clean.
Before visiting, landfilling was a very out-of-sight, out-of-mind process. However after going and actually being on the ground, it completely changed my mindset and understanding of what waste management truly entails. We tend to picture a landfill as a stagnant pile of trash when in reality it is incredibly dynamic and intentional, operating on an endlessly evolving scale.
My major takeaways
The Constant Battle for Capacity
As our local population grows and unexpected events like climate-related disasters generate sudden spikes in debris, managing landfill capacity is an urgent, growing concern. A great example of this at the Dane County landfill is how old roof shingles, which were brought in an extreme influx after recent storms (like truly this pile seemed to be taller than a three-story building), became a material of note. Landfills aren't infinite spaces and every cubic foot matters, so strategic compaction, and ensuring that certain materials are diverted is essential to keeping as much space available for as long as possible.
Adapting to Evolving Materials
As the materials we produce and consume change over time, our methods for recovering and recycling them have to evolve, too. Excess materials, like the shingles, forced landfill management to pivot. In this case responding by separating and repurposing them directly into local asphalt projects rather than just sitting uselessly underground.
Turning Waste into Resources
A key sentiment that rang through every action at the landfill was the desire to mitigate impact and waste, meaning when things could be given a new life that was of utmost priority. For example, donated surplus latex paint that’s collected at the site's alternative recycling facility, Clean Sweep, is repurposed and applied as an "alternative daily cover" to layer over the compacted waste each day, suppressing odors and pests without wasting virgin materials.
Energy and Self Sustaining Structure
Along with waste collection and management, the landfill also has a deep commitment to energy recovery and emissions reduction.
Through underground wells, about 50-55% of the methane produced by the landfill is captured. This works to first, divert their greenhouse gas footprint while simultaneously recovering wasted energy by refining said methane into pipeline grade natural gas that can be sold into the market, making the project itself completely self-sustaining.
Reclaiming Space for the Future
One of the most inspiring aspects of modern landfill design is the end game. Closed landfill sites aren't just abandoned; they are frequently capped, safely monitored, and reclaimed as public parkland where the community can gather, recreate, and enjoy nature. Some notable examples of this in the Madison area are Mineral Point Park and Quann Park!
Take Action: Get to Know Your Waste Stream!
Finally, and most importantly, this experience woke something of a fire in me. It was a good reminder that our choices directly impact the lifespan and efficiency of our local infrastructure. Here are small actions you can incorporate into your daily life:
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Rethink Before You Toss: Check out the Dane County Zero Waste Resource Map for drop-off options for hard-to-recycle items, like extra latex paint, construction debris, or electronics, so they can be reused or repurposed instead of taking up valuable landfill space.
- Tour or Explore Local Facilities: Curiosity is the best motivator for sustainability. Make sure to check out local municipal waste and recycling programs to see how your local municipality handles its resource recovery. Visit Dane Co Eventbrite to sign up for their September 10th tour!
- Practice Conscious Consumerism: Small shifts in reducing daily single-use waste eases the pressure on our local capacity and help protect our community's future green spaces.
