Protecting the environment through the control of hazardous leachates generated by the decomposing waste is primary function of the landfill. Todays landfills are designed to achieve this result by utilising a range of geosynthetic products that provide advantages over traditional materials in terms of performance, design efficiency and cost. Both geomembranes and geosynthetic clay liners are used as barriers to movement of leachates from the base of landfills to barriers to prevent additional water from penetrating in from the surface. In addition geocomposite drains and protection geotextiles are used in conjunction with barriers to form the lining system.

Geosynthetic Clay Liners
In the past, thick compacted clay layers (CCL) up to 1m have been used to create the impermeable layer for landfills. ELCOSEAL Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) can in many cases completely replace or significantly reduce the thickness of the compacted clay layer. In a typical composite lining system, GCLs work synergistically with other geomembrane materials to maximise liner system efficiency.

Geomembranes
Geomembranes are synthetic liners used as an impermeable layer for containment system. Different usage requires different material properties to suit. Common polymers for geomembranes supplied by Maccaferri are HDPE and PP.

Drainage & Gas Collection
Landfill containment produce long term leachate problems. If not properly treated, this could cause serious contamination and pollution problems to the environment. Drainage geocomposites are usually used in collaboration with other geomembranes/GCL to provide high transmissivity of leachate and methane gas collection.