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Containment research examines hydraulic barriers associated with waste fills and contaminated soil or sediment. For waste facilities, containment can manifest itself in several ways: (1) bottom containment, (2) caps and covers, and (3) perimeter containment/treatment walls. EPA supports the use of an integrated approach to waste management, such that waste destined for waste containment facilities is minimized utilizing other waste management measures such as reuse, waste minimization, recycling, composting and incineration. While these processes can reduce volume, containment is necessary for materials that cannot be reasonably processed via an integrated practice. Containment is a key aspect of EPA regulation of waste disposal practice in the USA. The primary goal of waste containment is to isolate waste from man. To accomplish this, it is common for a barrier to be constructed around the waste mass, such that leachate escape is minimized and infiltration (and the formation of new leachate) is minimized. Successfully isolating the waste is a fundamental step to waste disposal. If this system operates correctly, waste will remain intact for long periods of time with minimal impact on human health or the environment. Actively managed landfill can advance beyond containment, and purposefully degrade the waste inside the containment facility. Such systems are sometimes known as bioreactors. For more information on this research, visit the website at http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/rcb/containb.htm. To access directly from this website, click on downloads on the navigation bar.

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