Alternative daily covers such as tarps, films, spray-on, foams, and various waste derived materials have become a common solution to the shortcomings of soil cover. Determine your specific needs for ADC performance then work backwards to understand how adjusting your operations will improve daily cover performance.
By J.D. Mohr
Way back in 1993, one of my favorite movies, 鈥淭he Sandlot鈥�, was released. Bill Clinton was sworn into the Presidential Office, and, most significantly in our industry, the EPA 鈥淪ubtitle D鈥� regulations became effective to align the federal, state, and local governments with a common framework to manage non-hazardous solid waste.
The mandate for 6 inches of daily cover soil at the end of the operational day was part of these rules. Unfortunately, landfills need to use substantially more than 6 inches to comply with complete coverage of the waste.
For the past 31 years, landfill operators have experimented with numerous alternatives to daily soil cover. Alternative daily covers (ADC) such as tarps, films, spray-on, foams, and various waste derived materials have become a common solution to the shortcomings of soil cover. What have we learned about ADC? How can managers use their experience to streamline and improve cover operations? Let鈥檚 discuss several steps and visualize a landfill operation without soil.
Step 1: Soil Out 鈥� ADC In
There is a classic line in The Sandlot where the character 鈥淗am鈥� says in frustration to another character 鈥淵ou鈥檙e killin me Smalls!鈥� Whenever I visit a landfill and see soil still used for primary daily cover, this quote comes to mind. However, I respectfully understand there are extenuating circumstances when using soil probably makes sense 鈥� but not very often. So, my first step would simply be to make the commitment to stop using soil for cover. Pick a transition date ASAP, then start doing some homework on ADC options.
Step 2: ADC Implementation
Write a list of all the operational changes that will be made if soil is no longer used (i.e., parked five haul trucks, parked 1 excavator). Now, make a list of all the operational changes you would need to accommodate your ADC of choice. Meet with your team and ask for their input regarding proposed changes to accommodate ADC. These operational changes can then be defined, planned, and delegated. These changes may impact company policies, procedures, or health and safety provisions, so your plan should be reviewed by all key stakeholders.
Step 3: ADC Implementation, ADC Adoption
Once the ADC is implemented, the 鈥渉ow to鈥� will need to be communicated in the form of training or posted communication to the crew. Most ADC companies will offer onsite demonstrations and trial programs. Moreover, once a commitment is made to purchase, the manufacturer should remain onsite until the proper application is achieved. After the new method of cover is rolled out, it is important to know if the new ADC method is working as it should. Take pictures, establish metrics, and follow up on complaints. Engage your ADC salesperson and ask if they are willing to provide several days of hands-on training with your team. This will shorten the learning curve and make it more likely for the team in the field to 鈥渂uy in鈥�.
Step 4: From Adoption of ADC to Execution
Tracking ADC consumption is also very helpful after the roll-out of changes are completed. Tracking the execution will help managers detect a drift away from the standard, allowing managers to act early. If an excessive amount of ADC is being used, then it could erroneously flag the ADC as too expensive. Analyze how much is being consumed relative to the square footage of the working face, manufacturers should be able to help you estimate usage for your needs. If your operation is exceeding the standard ADC consumption for a facility your size, it may be time to examine other areas of your operations for inefficiencies.
Photos courtesy of EPI Enviro Cover.
Get ADC in Harmony
Each step involved in the process of handling waste at a landfill can influence the next. The process of pushing/placing and compaction can greatly impact the performance of an ADC. Long flat runs typically provide a better surface for ADC deployments. Tighter working faces will greatly reduce the amount of ADC consumed by lowering the square footage to be covered. If you are not getting proper compaction, there could be waste poking up from underneath the ADC. During my training I always encourage the compactor operators to focus on good compaction so the ADC deployment equipment can deploy more efficiently. Large hills or voids can cause uneven application of the ADC. The composition of the ADC can also factor in based on rainfall, etc.
Recap
I encourage all landfill operators to move away from soil as daily cover. We have had 31 years for the ADC market to shake out, good options are available. It is not just your choice of ADC, but also the implementation and application follow up that can determine its long-term success. Watch your team as they place waste and understand what they can do better to accommodate a smooth ADC application. Talk with ADC sales professionals so you can learn about successes at other facilities. Determine your specific needs for ADC performance then work backwards to understand how adjusting your operations will improve daily cover performance. | WA
J.D. Mohr is Business Development Executive for EPI Enviro Cover. He has more than 16 years in the waste industry as a business owner and waste industry consultant. J.D. can be reached at (317) 316-2922, e-mail [email protected], or visit
.