Jeff Pankonie
When choosing an effective landfill cover or cap, many factors must be taken into account. Since the cap functions to shelter the environment from waste, durability is paramount. Covers must be able to withstand UV exposure, ozone, soil bacteria, potential animal traffic and extreme temperatures over time without cracking and requiring little or no maintenance. Whether ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) or thermoplastic based, tensile strength, flexibility, conformance and lay flat characteristics contribute to the longevity of a landfill cap. Covers also must be placed on tightly to prevent leaking of methane gas.
Installation
Ease of field installation effects labor costs and installation time. A membrane that requires special tools for application and repair takes longer to install and requires more specialized labor that may increase project costs. Panels should come in a variety of sizes or be available to custom order to best fit the size and scope of a project. A single-source provider of membranes and accessories makes installation and warranties less complicated.
Environmentally Friendly Materials
Consumers and/or municipalities often require “environmental friendly” or “green” materials with landfill covers. Plasticizer and chlorine-free thermoplastic geomembranes are now available. Both EPDM and thermoplastic liners should be classified as safe for fish and plant life and/or have the water purity mark from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). Recently, Tessman Road Municipal Solid Waste Landfill outside of San Antonio, TX, became the first geomembrane cap to have flexible laminate photovoltaic cells mounted in order to produce additional energy. Installers should also consider the membrane cover’s thickness and possibly the color if you need to take landscape blending into account.
In order to make a final landfill cap decision, consulting with a geomembrane professional to address a site’s particular needs on a granular level with regards to specific codes and preferences is recommended.
Jeff Pankonie has worked with Firestone Building Products (Indianapolis, IN) for 24 years, including the last nine years in the Specialty Products Division, focusing on Geomembrane. His current position is Manager, Building Envelope Solutions. He can be reached at [email protected].