Landfill safety starts with monitoring: what you need to know

Landfill sites play a critical role in waste management, but they also present long-term environmental and safety challenges if not properly managed. Decomposing waste produces gas and leachate that must be carefully controlled to prevent harm to the surrounding environment and public health. In the UK, strict landfill regulations are in place to manage these risks, and ongoing monitoring is essential to ensure environmental protection.

What are the rules? The UK’s landfill regulations

Landfill sites in the UK are subject to strict regulatory controls and must be formally classified as hazardous, non-hazardous, or inert waste. Each classification comes with its own set of regulatory requirements and operational standards.

Operators must secure environmental permits, submit detailed management plans, and adhere to regulatory standards for:

• Waste acceptance criteria – only certain types of waste can go to certain sites. For example, hazardous landfills must limit organic carbon content
• Gas management – gases released by decomposing waste must be captured, treated, or used to generate energy where possible, or flared to minimise environmental impact
• Leachate control – leachate, the liquid that drains through waste, must be contained and treated to avoid polluting local soil or water sources
• Security and stability – landfill sites must be physically secure, structurally stable and regularly monitored to prevent accident, illegal dumping or environmental damage

Landfill gas monitoring

When organic waste breaks down, it produces gas like methane and carbon dioxide, which are not only greenhouse gases, but also potential safety hazards.

Monitoring landfill gas is a legal requirement, and helps operators:

• Prevent dangerous build-up of explosive gases
• Capture and convert methane into energy
• Comply with environmental emissions targets
• Protect nearby communities from odours and health risks

Ashtead Technology’s advanced landfill gas analysers provide real-time data that empowers operators to effectively monitor gas levels, such as our GA5000 range and GFM units.

Water quality monitoring

Gas isn’t the only concern. Leachate, the liquid that drains through waste material, can carry harmful chemicals, bacteria, and heavy metals. If this liquid leaks into the ground or waterways, it can cause serious environmental damage. That’s why water monitoring is equally critical and required by regulation.

By using our water quality meters such as our YSI range, operators can:

• Monitor pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and more
• Ensure groundwater and surface water are not being polluted
• Track leachate quality over time and manage treatment systems effectively
• Prove compliance during audits and environmental inspections

The result

Effective landfill monitoring leads to a safer and more sustainable environment. By carefully observing gas emissions and water quality, operators can identify potential problems early, prevent contamination, and remain in compliance with environmental standards. This proactive approach helps safeguard public health and local ecosystems.