Engineered sites where solid waste is disposed of by burial and compaction under layers of soil. Modern landfills include environmental protections like liners and gas collection systems to prevent contamination.
Compound word from 'land' (Old English 'land' meaning ground or territory) and 'fill' (Old English 'fyllan' meaning to make full). The term emerged in the early 20th century as organized waste disposal became necessary in growing urban areas. Originally called 'sanitary landfills' to distinguish them from simple dumps.
Modern landfills can actually generate electricity from the methane gas produced by decomposing organic waste, with some facilities powering thousands of homes. Interestingly, paper in landfills can remain readable for decades because the anaerobic conditions actually slow down decomposition rather than speed it up.
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