What is meant by "compacting" waste in landfill cells?

The term "compacting" in the context of landfill cells primarily refers to physically compressing waste to reduce its volume. This process involves the use of heavy machinery to apply force to the waste material, which results in a denser packing of the waste. By compacting the waste, landfills can maximize the use of available space, allowing for the storage of more waste within a given area.

This process is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps to minimize the potential for gaps and pockets within the waste, which can lead to instability and potential structural problems within the landfill. Second, compacting waste can help to limit the amount of air trapped within the waste, potentially reducing odors and the risk of fires. Furthermore, minimized volume can lead to a decrease in the overall environmental footprint of a landfill and better management of the waste stream.

To differentiate from the other options, removing moisture from the waste is a separate process known as drying, which doesn’t directly relate to volume compression. Breaking down waste using chemical agents pertains to chemical decomposition methods rather than physical compression. Sorting waste is about classification, rather than the manipulation of volume in landfill cells. Thus, the focus on physically compressing waste to reduce its volume is central to the concept of compact