In the UK, landfill waste goes to landfill sites, which are specially engineered areas where waste is disposed of by burial. Here’s a breakdown of how the landfill process works and the current status of landfills in the UK:

1. Landfill Sites: Landfills are carefully designed to prevent environmental contamination. They typically consist of a base layer to prevent pollutants from reaching natural soil and groundwater, and a cover to reduce the risk of waste being carried away by the elements.
2. Waste Treatment Before Landfill: Before waste is sent to landfill, it generally undergoes some treatment. This can include compacting to reduce its volume and sometimes covering with layers of soil.
3. Landfill Gas Collection: As organic waste breaks down, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Many modern landfills in the UK are equipped with gas collection systems that capture and burn off this methane, or use it as an energy source.
4. Leachate Management: Leachate is the liquid that forms when water filters through landfill waste. It can contain pollutants. Modern landfills have systems to collect and treat leachate to prevent it from contaminating groundwater and local ecosystems.
5. Decreasing Dependence on Landfills: The UK has been working to reduce its reliance on landfills due to environmental concerns and EU directives. Recycling rates have increased, and there’s been more focus on waste reduction and recovery. As a result, the number of active landfills in the UK has decreased over the years.
6. Alternatives to Landfill: The drive to reduce landfill waste has led to the development and implementation of alternative waste management strategies such as:
   • Recycling: Segregating materials for reuse.
   • Composting: Breaking down organic waste to produce compost.
   • Anaerobic Digestion: Microbial breakdown of organic waste in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas.
   • Waste-to-Energy: Burning waste to generate electricity.
   • Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT): A combination of processes that segregates waste, with the organic fraction typically being composted or subjected to anaerobic digestion.
7. End-of-Life for Landfills: Once a landfill site is full, it is closed off. The area is then usually “capped” with a protective layer, often clay or plastic, to prevent rainwater ingress. It’s monitored for several years to ensure there are no environmental issues.
8. Repurposing Landfills: Old landfill sites that have been safely closed and monitored can be repurposed for various uses. They can be turned into parks, wildlife habitats, or even golf courses. However, building heavy structures on them is generally avoided due to the unstable nature of decomposing waste underneath.

In conclusion, while landfill has historically been a primary method of waste disposal in the UK, efforts are ongoing to reduce the volume of waste that ends up in landfills, both through waste reduction measures and alternative disposal or treatment methods.