are necessary, special attention should be 
given to obtaining good compaction so that 
subsequent layers may be constructed almost 
immediately with a minimum of settlement. 
9. Control of wind-blown paper should be ade- 
quately maintained. This can be accom- 
plished by the use of movable fencing such 
as snow fencing or portable chicken-wire 
fences, and also by careful location of. the 
fill in favorable terrain. 
10. Inspection for and control of insects and 
rodents should be carried on until fills are 
stabilized. All collections of surface water 
resulting from landfill operations should be 
drained, filled, or treated with effective 
chemicals so as to prevent mosquito pro- 
duction and allay disagreeable odors. Treat- 
ment with chemicals should be a temporary 
measure only, and efforts should be made to 
regrade the fill or take other permanent cor- 
rective measures as soon as possible. 
11. After operations are completed, a mainte- 
nance program should continue until the fill 
has become stabilized. This should include 
prompt repair of cracks, depressions and 
erosion of the surface and side slopes. 
Seeding of finished surfaces as soon as 
possible is highly desirable, for a good 
stand of grass will decrease erosion, im- 
prove appearance, and decrease surface 
cracking. 
12. If scavangers are tolerated, they should be 
adequately supervised and not allowed to 
interfere with operations. 
13. A separate area or trench may be provided 
for the disposal of such objects as tree 
stumps and large limbs. 
14. A separate trench or pit may be desirable 
for the disposal of dead small animals, 
truck loads of spoiled foods, dead chickens, 
entrails, eggs, and large quantities of other 
putrescible materials, which should be 
covered immediately. 
15. Generally the rate of decomposition of 
refuse in a landfill precludes re-use of the 
same location for many years. In some areas 
little decomposition of materials has been 
observed even after a period of 10-15 years. 
However, New Orleans ( 40 ) is reported to 
have re-used a fill constructed in a former 
cypress swamp after a period of three years, 
without insect or odor nuisance. Moisture 
content in the fill area and local temper- 
atures appear important in the rate of de- 
composition. 
Accessory Facilities 
In addition to equipment and personnel, certain 
facilities are needed, or are usually found desir- 
able, at a sanitary landfill site. They include the 
following: 
1. Shed or other shelter for equipment and 
personnel. 
2. Rest room facilities. 
3. Signs directing trucks. 
4. Portable or semi-portable fencing. 
5. Scales for weighing trucks (optional). 
6. Hand sprayer for insecticide application. 
7. Portable pump for removing accumulations 
of surface water. 
8. Fire extinguishers and fire hydrant. 
Advantages and Benefits of Sanitary 
Landfills 
1. The sanitary landfill is often the most eco- 
nomical disposal system acceptable to 
health authorities, usually operating for one- 
third to one-half the cost of incineration. 
2. The initial investment is low compared to 
that for other approved methods. 
3. The landfill system is flexible; it can ac- 
commodate increases in population. 
4. It may result in lower collection costs, 
since it permits combined collection of 
garbage and rubbish. 
5. All types of refuse may be disposed of in 
the sanitary landfill. 
6. The disposal site may be located close to 
or in populated areas, thus reducing the 
length of haul and the cost of collection. 
7. Sub-marginal land can be reclaimed for 
future use, thereby benefiting the commu- 
nity. Completed landfills have been used 
for airports, parking lots, parks, playgrounds, 
and other recreational purposes. 
8. Completed landfill areas may also be used 
for agricultural purposes. 
9. The installation of any facility on reclaimed 
land should avoid, ; f possible, trenching 
into buried refuse. Should an area be used 
for recreation, buildings requiring footings 
23 
