Landfill

Landfilling is the technical term to describe filling large holes in the ground with waste. These holes may be specially excavated for the purpose, or may be old quarries, mine shafts and even railway cuttings.

More recently the term has been expanded to cover the creation of waste mountains, such as the Nantygwyddon tip in the Rhondda, even though there is no filling as such. This process is also known as land-raising.

Landfill sites produce climate changing gases.

Friends of the Earth Cymru opposes landfill because:

• it wastes valuable resources
• research has suggested a link between landfill and ill health
• it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change
• it can lead to the contamination of land
• it gives rise to various nuisances including increased traffic, noise, odours, smoke, dust, litter and pests.

Friends of the Earth Cymru worked to support residents campaigning for the closure of the Nantygwyddon tip in the Rhondda and commissioned expert evidence to the Assembly's investigation into the operation of the site.

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Main image © Ian Homer