AI Takes On Trash: Transforming Landfills For A Sustainable Future
Did you know methane is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide? Uncaptured methane is 84 times more harmful than carbon dioxide, making it a significant driver of climate change. Landfills are the U.S.'s third-largest source of human-related methane emissions, accounting for 15.1% of emissions, second only to agriculture and fossil fuels.
As we confront the climate crisis, addressing landfills' environmental impact is critical. Landfills not only warm our planet but also pollute water sources through underground leachate, expose the public to harmful substances, and rob us of crucial land that could be put to better use. Let's explore these challenges and understand how artificial intelligence can help tackle them.
What's The Problem With Landfills?Landfills pose four key challenges today:
Methane Emissions: Over 1,100 municipal landfills emitted at least 3.7 million metric tons of methane in 2021. This is equivalent to the emissions from 66 million gasoline-powered vehicles over a year. Apart from wrecking the planet, methane poses a significant fire hazard. "When you have a few weeks of dry weather over the summer, landfill cover materials such as wood chips could ignite pretty quickly with just a small spark," says Gregory Seher, director of solid waste of Atlantic County Utilities Authority . For example, a landfill in Alabama recently caught fire and burnt for four months non-stop.
Leachate Pollution: Leachate, the liquid that drains or leaches from a landfill, could enter nearby water bodies. This poses a severe threat to the environment and public health. In 2021, the president of Oil Chem, Inc. was sentenced for illegally discharging over 47 million gallons of landfill leachate into the sanitary sewer system in Flint, MI, for over eight and a half years. "The risk of leachate leaks into groundwater is extremely high in older landfills that lack protective liners or geomembranes, unlike newly built landfills," says Tyler Bandemer, solid waste management superintendent at the City of Loveland .
Exposure to Hazardous Substances: People living near landfills are vulnerable to exposure to hazardous substances. This is exceptionally high during inclement weather or other natural disasters that could slice open the toxic waste sites and spread contaminants into the neighborhoods. For example, 945 superfund landfill sites are vulnerable to severe weather events, potentially exposing about 21 million Americans to harmful chemicals like lead, arsenic, and mercury.
Space Constraints: With landfills averaging 600 acres, each landfill is created by destroying natural habitats of flora and fauna. The U.S. has over 3,000 active landfills and 10,000 closed ones. This has resulted in losing as much as 1,800,000 acres of habitat. As landfills reach capacity, finding new sites for waste disposal has become increasingly difficult. This is due to environmental regulations and resistance from adjoining communities. "No one wants a smelly landfill in their backyard," quips Tyler Bandemer.
Tackling Landfill Challenges With Artificial IntelligenceAddressing such systemic challenges requires innovative solutions. Companies have been turning to data and AI to tackle the problems.
Methane Monitoring And ManagementThe methane generated by landfills is managed by setting up gas wells on the waste mass. The wellhead allows monitoring and control of gas collection. "In automated wellheads, AI directly adjusts settings based on site-specific real-time data from systems including meteorological stations, air monitoring equipment, and pump stations," says Philip Carrillo, vice-president and national RMC director of SCS RMC . In the case of manual wellheads, technicians could receive AI-generated adjustment recommendations to ensure optimal performance.
Landfill methane can be captured and processed to convert it into renewable natural gas, a biogas that could be used for purposes such as transportation. Loci Controls has built a real-time data platform that collects landfill data and runs analytics. "Companies that add our system get 10-20% more gas from the same landfill," shares Melinda Sims, co-founder and director of product development of Loci Controls .
Today, methane emissions can be detected not just on land but also aerially. High-resolution satellite imagery can help pinpoint the locations of methane leaks, allowing for timely intervention. AI systems can analyze patterns and predict potential methane hotspots, enabling landfill operators to address emissions before they become significant problems.
Leachate Prevention And DetectionTo tackle leachate pollution, sensors are placed in and around landfills. "Sensors in the pumping stations can give you an idea of leachate levels in the landfill and trigger alerts when the waste is saturated with leachate," adds Gregory Seher. These sensors could also detect leakages and contamination of nearby and underground water bodies.
AI systems can analyze the sensor data to identify trends and anomalies, providing early warnings of leachate leakage. This allows for swift response and remediation, preventing extensive environmental damage. AI can help operators test the effectiveness of novel containment strategies by simulating various scenarios to predict leachate's movement and impact proactively.
Managing Exposure To Hazardous SubstancesBy running weather prediction models, AI can help forecast adverse conditions that might increase the risk of contaminants spreading from landfills. Such proactive alerts can help landfill operators take preventative measures, such as reinforcing containment systems or issuing timely warnings to protect nearby communities.
"Machine learning algorithms could be used in predictive tuning of landfill monitoring and control systems based on dynamic factors like environmental and operating conditions," says Melinda Sims.
Space Optimization Through RecyclingOne of the most promising applications of AI in waste management is sorting recyclable materials . AI robots equipped with advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms can efficiently sort recyclables from waste. This reduces the volume of waste reaching landfills, thereby extending their operational lifespan and preventing further ecological damage.
For example, an AI sorting system can identify and separate plastics, metals, and paper products, ensuring that more materials are recycled rather than buried. This not only conserves landfill space but also promotes recycling and resource conservation. AI could be used to detect and extract recyclables already present in landfills to extend the lifespan of existing landfills and salvage materials that might otherwise be lost forever," says Joseph C. Pantalone, vice-president of wastewater of Atlantic County Utilities Authority .
Engaging Communities And PolicymakersIn conclusion, the future of waste management hinges on integrating artificial intelligence to mitigate the environmental hazards of landfills. Apart from tackling these four challenges directly, we can engage communities and policymakers with data-driven insights on the environmental impact of waste management. AI not only enhances operational efficiencies but can empower a more holistic approach to waste management. We must accelerate the adoption of these technologies to not only preserve our environment but also enhance the quality of life for communities globally.
