Landfill mining, the process of excavating and processing old waste to recover resources, is gaining attention as a potential component of the circular economy. The practice aims to extract metals, plastics, and other materials from decades-old landfills, reducing the need for virgin resource extraction and reclaiming land for new uses.
Projects and studies have been conducted in countries like Sweden, Finland, and the United States. A notable pilot project in Belgium, the "NEW-MINE" initiative funded by the EU, has researched techniques for recovering materials and converting non-recyclable waste into energy. The economic viability remains a significant challenge, heavily dependent on the composition of the waste and market prices for recovered commodities.
Beyond resource recovery, landfill mining can address environmental hazards by removing legacy pollutants and stabilizing sites. However, experts caution that the process itself can release greenhouse gases and contaminants if not carefully managed. The primary focus for waste management remains reducing generation and improving recycling, with landfill mining considered a niche solution for specific historical waste problems.
