ASTM D6523-00(2005)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Evaluation and Selection of Alternative Daily Covers (ADCs) for Sanitary Landfills
Standard Guide for Evaluation and Selection of Alternative Daily Covers (ADCs) for Sanitary Landfills
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended to assist specifiers and end users in assessing the different options available for sanitary landfill daily cover materials described as alternative (non-soil) daily covers (ADCs). Traditional daily cover consists of at least 6 in. of soil spread over the working faces of sanitary landfills. Alternative systems are attractive to landfill operations in order to conserve landfill disposal space, among other reasons.
1.2 This guide assists in understanding different performance features of broad classifications of ADCs, and determining the extent and degree to which different ADCs are able to "control disease vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging, without presenting a threat to human health and the environment," as intended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulations.
1.3 This guide is not intended to provide cost information regarding the various ADCs as a standard guide, it does not dictate a protocol for the practice and testing of ADCs, but rather provides valuable information, guidance, and recommendations to interested parties concerning the many options available.
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Standards Content (Sample)
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Designation: D6523 – 00 (Reapproved 2005)
Standard Guide for
Evaluation and Selection of Alternative Daily Covers (ADCs)
for Sanitary Landfills
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6523; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Manual EPA 530-R-93-017, Cover Material Require-
ments, 40 CFR 258 21, Nov 1993
1.1 This guide is intended to assist specifiers and end users
“The Use of Alternative Materials for Daily Cover at
in assessing the different options available for sanitary landfill
Municipal Solid Waste Landfills” EPA 600/R-93/172 PB
daily cover materials described as alternative (non-soil) daily
92-227197 July 1993
covers (ADCs).Traditional daily cover consists of at least 6 in.
Alternative Daily Cover Regulations, California Environ-
of soil spread over the working faces of sanitary landfills.
mental Protection Agency, Title 27, Division 2, Subdivi-
Alternative systems are attractive to landfill operations in order
sion 1, Chapter 3, Subchapter 4, Article 2, Section 20680
to conserve landfill disposal space, among other reasons.
CIWMB Daily Cover and Section 20690 CIWMB Alter-
1.2 This guide assists in understanding different perfor-
native Daily Cover
mance features of broad classifications of ADCs, and deter-
mining the extent and degree to which differentADCs are able
3. Terminology
to “control disease vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and
3.1 alternative daily cover, n—an alternative to the tradi-
scavenging, without presenting a threat to human health and
tional 6-in. (15-cm) soil cover required by the USEPA for
the environment,” as intended by United States Environmental
landfill working faces to “control disease vectors, fires, odors,
Protection Agency (USEPA) regulations.
blowing litter, and scavenging, without presenting a threat to
1.3 This guide is not intended to provide cost information
human health and the environment.”
regarding the various ADCs as a standard guide, it does not
3.2 foam, n—a synthetic material sprayed and combined
dictate a protocol for the practice and testing of ADCs, but
with air to form closed-cell air pockets.
rather provides valuable information, guidance, and recom-
3.3 geosynthetic, n—a planar product manufactured from
mendations to interested parties concerning the many options
polymeric material used with soil, rock, earth, or other geo-
available.
technical engineering related material as an integral part of a
2. Referenced Documents man-made project, structure, or system.
2 3.4 indigenous, adj—native to a particular region.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.5 leachate, n—contaminated water resulting from the
D4982 Test Methods for Flammability Potential Screening
combination of waste with precipitation.
Analysis of Waste
3.6 nonreusable, adj—in geosynthetics, a fabric or film
E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
intended to be placed once and then disposed of, discarded, or
Materials
left in place.
2.2 Other Standards
3.7 reusable, adj—in geosynthetics, a fabric or membrane
Solid Waste Disposal Facility Criteria, USEPA, Technical
material intended to be retrieved and installed more than once
to perform the cover function.
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics
3.8 sanitary landfill, n—a regulated disposal site for the
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on Permeability and
deposition of commercial and household wastes.
Filtration.
3.9 working face, n—the area of a landfill in which waste is
Current edition approved June 1, 2005. Published December 2005. Originally
approved in 2000. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D6523–00. DOI:
actively being deposited.
10.1520/D6523-00R05.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
4. Significance and Use
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.1 This guide provides information which the regulator/
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
permit officials, engineers, waste disposal operators, and others
Available from the Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing
will find helpful to (1) understand and distinguish between the
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6523 – 00 (2005)
many choices available; (2) understand the performance fea- left in place without retrieval. Special equipment also exists to
ture considerations for living up to EPAregulations for landfill facilitate the placement and anchoring of these materials to
daily covers, and (3) understand the various requirements and
cover the working face of landfills. The cover may contain
differences for putting these covers into practice at landfills.
pro-degradant additives to accelerate degradation within the
waste to cease the interception of fluids.
5. Classifications of ADCs
5.4 Indigenous Materials—Indigenous ADCs consist of
5.1 Foams—FoamADCs are applied to the working face of
various types of locally available waste products for disposal
sanitary landfills using foam generation and application equip-
(for example, sludges, ash, shredded tires, shredded green
ment specifically designed for that particular foam. Both
waste, pulverized construction and demolition debris, automo-
hardening and non-hardening foams are currently available.
bile recycling fluff, foundry sand, and so forth) placed onto the
These foam layers are effectively broken-up by the placement
workingfaceoflandfillsinamannersimilartosoilcover.They
of additional wastes on the next operating day, and therefore
oftenrequirephysicalorchemicalmodificationforconsistency
does not interfere with fluid movement.
and workability, and evaluation for the presence of potentially
5.2 Spray-On Slurries—Most slurries are paper-based. The
hazardousconstituents.Processedindigenousmaterialssuchas
paper-based slurry ADCs are applied to the working face of
sanitary landfills using standard hydro-seeding equipment. treated sludges and asphalt-stabilized soils are available from
manufacturers who are able to provide such products with
Certain types of slurries may require some modification of the
hydro-seedingequipment.Theslurriesareallowedtohardento consistent properties. Manufacturers should have the necessary
form a crust or shell over the working face. This covering is supporting data available for review. Unprocessed ADCs can
also broken-up by the placement of additional wastes on the
vary significantly with respect to physical and chemical char-
next operating day.
acteristics and composition, depending on the particular
5.3 Geosynthetics:
source. In addition, suitability and acceptability are dependent
5.3.1 Reusable—Reusable geosynthetic ADCs consist of
on site-specific climatic and operational conditions and regu-
various types of fabric or plastic membranes that have either
latory requirements. Because of the wide variety of processed
been developed or adapted for use as a daily cover material.
and unprocessed indigenous materials, only key factors and
Panels fabricated from these materials are placed over the
considerations related to the use and performance of these
working face at the end of the day, and retrieved prior to the
materials can hereby be presented.
start of the next operating day. Some landfills use special
mechanized equipment to facilitate the placement and retrieval
6. Features and Considerations
of panels.
6.1 Summary—See discussion for clarification.
5.3.2 Nonreusable—Nonreusable geosynthetic ADCs con-
sist of less durable disposable films or fabrics, intended to be
TABLE Continued
Feature/Consideration Foams Spray-on Slurries Reusable Geosynthetics Nonreusable Geosynthetics Indigenous Materials
Methods of Application Self propelled or towed Truck mounted or trailer Manually, towed with Manually, or spread Most often spread with
equipment with manifold mounted hydro-seeding compactors, or spread w/specialty unwinder at- dozers as with traditionally
distribution, or truck equipment w/spray tower w/specialty wide panel tached to dozer/compactor daily cover. Varied.
mounted with handheld and nozzle. deployment equipment and placing ballast soil to
hose anchor
Post-Application Require-
ments
a) Equipment Clean-up/ High Low Low if placed Low if placed Low
Maintenance w/equipment w/equipment
b) Remove Cover? No No Yes No No
Application in Different Some not recommended Can apply in light rain. Some have no constraints Rain tends to help anchor Generally OK, but sludge
Climates for use during rain. Once cured, can while others can absorb cover and mulch are unsuitably
Others can withstand withstand moderate to water, increasing panel applied in rain due to ex-
a) Rain drizzle/light rainfall or heavy rainfall. weight cessive run-off
light to moderate rainfall.
b) Wind Can apply in 20–40 mph Can generally apply in Depends on ballast Increase ballast material. Most forms OK but yard
winds. Adheres to winds up to 45 mph mechanism. High winds Small panels, disposable waste and auto fluff are
working face. can pick and destroy. nature reduce impact of excessively effected
wind damage
c) Freezing Temp/Snow Can apply under freezing Can apply in freezing Some have no constraints. Shift to different ballast Generally no Constraints.
conditions, but equipment temperatures or snow In others, if moisture has material w/no moisture Sludge and mulch have
must be protected. Some been absorbed, panels content (eg crushed some difficulty in snow
equipment has freeze pro- can freeze, making their glass instead of sand)
tection system. placement and retrieval
more difficult.
D6523 – 00 (2005)
TABLE Continued
Feature/Consideration Foams Spray-on Slurries Reusable Geosynthetics Nonreusable Geosynthetics Indigenous Materials
d) Hot Weather No constraints No constraints No constraints No constraints Dust generation in many
cases (i.e. unprocessed
materials)
Disease Vector Control? Discourages insects and If proper thickness, dis- Can completely cover Can completely cover wasteMust be applied at suffi-
(Access by insects, birds from landing; courages insects and waste so as not to attract; so as not to attract cient thickness
vermin, pathogen rodents from digging birds from landing; Careful for pathogens in
contact.) rodents from digging human rehandling
Fire Control a) Most no, some yes a)Some no, some yes. a) Yes a) Yes a) Some yes, others no
a) Combustible? Materials should be
tested per ASTM D4982.
b) Barrier to air/gas Low Medium High High Low to High
movement?
Odor and Air Emission Uniform coverage is key. Uniform coverage of suffi- Trap odors and other Trap odors and other Dependent on thickness of
Control? cient thickness is key. emissions while in place; emissions; can be tested application and compac-
Material can be tested release odors and other by ASTM E96/E96M tion. Dredged materials
by ASTM E96/E96M emissions when removed; permeation can themselves be odor-
permeation can be tested by ASTM ous.
E96/E96M permeation
Dust Control? Yes Yes Yes Yes Many unprocessed
materials generate dust
Blowing Litter Control? Yes Yes Yes Yes Auto fluff among others
unprocessed materials can
generate litter
Water Infiltration Control Certain foams can shed Hardening slurries shed Shed rainwater very effec- Shed rainwater effectively Many processed materials
(sheds rainwater) water during moderate water. tively when in place; for several layers of cover can shed water once com-
rains, once cured. allows infiltration when pacted. Others are too
removed permeable to shed much
water.
Landfill leachate and gas No interference. No interference. No interference; unless No interference with de- Ash-based wastes,
migration interference? left or buried in place. gradable material dredged soils, clayey soils
(containing a and cementitious foundry
prodegradant); will products can all create
interfere if non-degradable intervening layers
film
Life expectancy Varies according to type Some last up to 14 days Some are 20-30 days, Varies from days to Varies. Many processed
of foam. Some last 15-20 while others are 10-12 months depending on materials will last indefi-
Hrs. while others are months additives and conditions nitely.
from 3-7 days.
6.2 Discussion: 6.2.1.3 At some sites, ancillary equipment (for example,
6.2.1 Methods of Application:
tow bar, lifting bar, reel, or rollers) are used to facilitate
6.2.1.1 Manifold-equipped units apply foam as equipment
placement of geosynthetic panels (both reusable and nonreus-
traverses the working face. Self-propelled units with manifold
able) and reduce wear and tear. Tires, sandbags, or ballast soil
applicator applies foam as the unit backs down the working
are placed along the edges to anchor the panels.
face. Handheld hose-equipped units apply foam as the crew
6.2.1.4 The preparation of the working face prior to place-
walks next to or across the working face, or both.
ment of a geosynthetic panel and the care taken in placement
6.2.1.2 Most slurries use truck-mounted or trailer-mounted
of the panel can have a significant impact on the effective life
standard hydro-seeding equipment with little or no modifica-
of a panel. Consequently, operators should ensure that the
tion. It is applied through the spray tower located on the
working face is properly compacted to provide a smooth
platform of the hydro-seeding equipment using appropriate
surface, and that protruding objects which could damage
nozzles. The use of a hand-held hose may be suitable for
panels are eliminated. In addition, during placement of panels,
certain applications. In at least one case, a specially designed
measures should be taken to prevent unnecessary stress on the
storage unit and mobile applicator is required by the manufac-
material and minimize snagging while dragging the panel
turer. Care must be taken to avoid skimping on the thickness of
across the working face.
application.
D6523 – 00 (2005)
6.2.1.5 Most indigenous materials may be spread and com- leachate.As with any engineered facility, proper installation is
pacted in the same manner as traditional sands and gravels. important for adequate performance.
Dozers and front-end loaders are usually used to spread the
6.2.5 Wind:
material. Compaction can be accomplished with single-drum
6.2.5.1 Impact of wind during application of foams is
rollers, dozer tracks, or loader ti
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