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Calcimator

Landfill Life Calculator

Estimate remaining landfill capacity and closure date from current intake rate, compaction, and diversion.

Inputs

cubic yards
cubic yards
tons/day
:1

Results

Estimated Years Remaining

9 years

Estimated Closure Year

2,035

Capacity StatusPlanning for Closure Needed
Capacity Used40%
Remaining Capacity3,000,000 cubic yards
Effective Daily Airspace Use833.8 cubic yards/day
Annual Airspace Use304,319 cubic yards
Annual Cover Soil Needed51,734 cubic yards
Annual Landfill Gas Generation59,130,000 cubic feet
Simple Remaining Years9.86
Daily Airspace833.75
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Total Permitted Capacity (cubic yards) from the landfill's operating permit.
  2. Input Capacity Used to Date (cubic yards) to establish the remaining available airspace.
  3. Set Daily Waste Intake (tons/day) and Compaction Ratio to convert incoming tonnage to consumed airspace.
  4. Enter Diversion Rate (%) and Annual Intake Growth (%) to model the effect of recycling programs and population growth.
  5. Review Estimated Years Remaining and Estimated Closure Year to inform capital planning and permit renewals.
  6. Check Capacity Status to assess whether the facility is on track or needs immediate siting of a new cell or alternative disposal.

How the result changes with Total Permitted Capacity

Total Permitted CapacityEstimated Years RemainingEstimated Closure Year
50,000,90072 years2,098
175,000,650127 years2,153
325,000,350156 years2,182
450,000,100172 years2,198

What each input means

Total Permitted Capacity
Total permitted airspace capacity of the landfill.
Capacity Used to Date
Total airspace already consumed.
Daily Waste Intake
Average daily tonnage received at the landfill.
Compaction Ratio
Compaction ratio achieved. Typical: 2.5-4.0:1 for well-operated landfills.
Diversion Rate
Percentage of incoming waste diverted through recycling/composting.
Annual Intake Growth
Expected annual growth in waste intake volume.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Total Permitted Capacity = 5000000, Capacity Used to Date = 2000000, Daily Waste Intake = 500, Compaction Ratio = 3 = 6 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Estimated Years Remaining
    Estimated Years Remaining
    9 = 9
  3. Calculate Estimated Closure Year
    Estimated Closure Year
    2035 = 2035
  4. Calculate Capacity Status
    Planning for Closure Needed = Planning for Closure Needed
  5. Calculate Capacity Used
    Capacity Used
    40 = 40

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