Landfill
/ˈlændfɪl/
Definitions
2 meaningsA site where waste is disposed of by burying it.
/ˈlændfɪl/
A site for the disposal of waste materials by burying them.
The city is planning to close the old landfill.
💡 Simply: Imagine a giant hole in the ground where we put all our trash! It's like a big, smelly garbage can for cities and towns. Trucks come and dump their loads, then the trash is covered up.
👶 For kids: A place where we put our trash underground.
More Examples
Recycling programs help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Methane gas is often produced in landfills.
How It's Used
"Many environmental concerns surround the construction and operation of landfills."
"Landfills are often monitored to prevent the leakage of harmful substances into the environment."
To dispose of (waste) in a landfill.
/ˈlændfɪl/
To dispose of waste materials by burying them.
They landfill the non-recyclable plastics.
💡 Simply: When a city or company 'landfills' something, it means they are putting it in a landfill to get rid of it. They bury it underground or in a specific area.
👶 For kids: To put trash in a landfill.
More Examples
The council decided to landfill the remaining construction debris.
Rather than incinerating the waste, they opted to landfill it.
How It's Used
"The company landfills all of its non-recyclable waste."
From land + fill. Originally referred to the practice of filling low-lying land with waste. The term gained prominence with the rise of organized waste disposal practices.
Historically, landfills were often open dumps. Modern landfills incorporate engineering practices to minimize environmental impact.
Memory tip
Think of land being 'filled' with waste.