What’s the Difference Between a Transfer Station and a Landfill? Great question! Where does all of our trash go? Most likely, the first stop for your trash is a transfer station. Ok, but what is a transfer station? A transfer station is an industrial facility where municipal solid waste is sorted or held before going to a landfill, waste to energy plant, or a recycling center. Great! So, what’s a landfill? Any waste that can’t be recycled or made into other forms of energy has to go somewhere! That place is called a landfill or a dump.Waste is usually buried in landfills. Furthermore, waste is usually crushed up into to small pieces before it is buried. Buried waste produces a dangerous gas that is called methane. Some countries have actually started using methane produced by landfills to generate energy!
So, What’s the Difference Between a Transfer Station and a Landfill?
Based on the definitions above, a transfer station is a temporary holding place for trash to be sorted or held. A landfill is the final destination for trash that cannot be recycled or made into energy. At Fire Dawgs, we make every effort to keep as much out of landfills as possible. We sort items and make sure we recycle and donate as much as we can before taking items to a transfer station or a landfill.
It is important to keep e-waste and hazardous materials out of both landfills and transfer stations. These items can be harmful to our soil and water supply. Most transfer stations and landfills have specific regulations for what items they can and cannot dispose of at their facilities. All trash and waste removal companies should adhere to these protocols to help keep harmful waste out of our soil and waterways. More on this topic and regulations can be found here on the EPA’s website.
Have questions about landfills, transfer stations, or waste removal in general? Feel free to comment below or Contact Us anytime!