What is the definition of a landfill in the USA?
In Mexico, we have what is called “Socavon” which is a site that has been exploited, usually with mining activities. Once the life of the mine expires then an enormous void/hole is left on the ground, known as a “Socavon”. This void, by law, can only be filled by excavation debris and/or CLEAN (not contaminated) construction or demolition debris.
This includes: demolished concrete, masonry units, bricks or similar materials.
And excludes: hazardous waste, municipal solid waste, organic waste, or any other not in the category above.
At the end of the process when the site reaches natural ground level, a minimum 8 inches of fertile organic soil material is placed and the site shall be strictly used (by law) for agriculture purposes only.
My question: Would this be considered a landfill for the purposes of LEED 2009 (MRc2)? or can it count as construction waste diversion?
Anything similar in other countries?
Thanks in advance
RETIRED
LEEDuser Expert
623 thumbs up
December 3, 2016 - 8:27 am
Adrian - I thought that the LEED Reference Guide would have a definition for landfill but it is does not. (Neither is landfill in the v4 glossary - http://www.usgbc.org/glossary.) Since there's no referenced standard for this credit, I'm not sure what the best resource would be to refer to but here is the definition from the US EPA - https://www.epa.gov/landfills/basic-information-about-landfills#whatis.
What you are describing seems similar to other posts related to mine rehabilitation. Have you read the posts on this forum regarding mine rehabilitation? Open http://www.leeduser.com/credit/NC-2009/MRc2?all-comments=true in your browser and then search for mine. One in particular to look at is http://www.leeduser.com/comment/redirect/63778.
If this search doesn't help you, please repost a question here.
RETIRED
LEEDuser Expert
623 thumbs up
December 27, 2016 - 12:23 pm
Adrian - Somehow I missed the definition of landfills in the Reference Guide that is in MRp1 (and in the Glossary). :( It states: "Landfills are waste disposal sites for solid waste from human activities."