Click through this series of captioned video stills to visit an operating landfill and find out how it works. PWIA wishes to thank Waste Management for allowing us to excerpt its video, "Grand Central Sanitary Landfill."

	Four pounds per day Each of us creates more than four pounds of solid waste per day. Most of us put it at the curb and don't give it another thought.
	What happens to waste What happens to it? Years ago it went to the town dump. In the 1950s there were more than 1,000 town dumps in Pennsylvania. But public health concerns led to environmental regulations and the introduction of scientifically engineered landfills. Today there are about 50 permitted landfills in Pennsylvania.
	Entering the landfill We're entering Waste Management's Grand Central Sanitary Landfill in Plainfield Township.
	3,000 tons per day This 450-acre site receives about 3,000 tons of solid, non-hazardous municipal waste every day, or six million pounds of trash daily.
	Environmentally friendly Modern landfills are highly sophisticated, complex, and environmentally friendly operations.
	Carefully sited Before a landfill is sited, environmental experts study the area and surrounding communities. They explore the terrain, test the groundwater, monitor air quality, and study layout options and traffic patterns. The process can take as long as five years.
	Built in "cells" Once approved, a landfill site is built in a series of "cells," or sections. Each cell is lined with multiple layers of protective material and then sealed when it's full.
	Laying the liner Crews put down a clay sub-base and then lay a liner on the bottom of the cell.
	Protecting the eco-system Field Manager Bruce Fahs: "A liner system is a multi-layered system designed for environmental protection of the eco-system below the ground and in the surrounding areas."
	Contained within the liner Field Manager Bruce Fahs: "The liner system basically goes beneath the entire landfill. Anything placed in the landfill is contained within the liner."
	Liner system: first layer - subbase The first layer of the liner is six inches of compacted clay. It helps prevent water from seeping through.
	Liner system: second layer The second layer is a tough geo-textile material similar to carpet padding. It acts as protective cushion for the liner.
	Liner system: third layer Placed on top of the geo-textile material is the first of two actual liners made of 60-millimeter high-density polyethylene, a material known for chemical resistance and durability. This is the secondary layer.
	Seams are welded All liner seams are welded and then tested and approved by an independent laboratory.
	Liner system: fourth layer A polyethylene drainage net layer called geo-net is placed to provide a flow zone to monitor the integrity of the primary layer. This layer acts as a detection monitoring system.
	Liner system: fifth and sixth layer A manmade clay layer is next, and a second 60-millimeter polyethylene liner is placed on top. This is the primary layer.
	Liner system: seventh layer Another layer of "carpet padding" is added.
	Liner system: final layer The final layer is called the protective cover. It contains a network of drainage pipes surrounded by gravel and topped with 18 inches of coarse sand.
	Capping filled cells Once portions of the landfill reach final grades, a cap is installed to cover the waste. The cap is also an engineered system, with multiple layers of natural and manmade geosynthetic materials, and works with the liner to seal the cell.
	A regulated operation Landfills operate under permits issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The permits regulate the type and amount of waste landfills can receive. Each load is weighed and documented on a manifest.
	Checking arriving waste A spotter checks waste being unloaded against the manifest and makes sure everything is in compliance.
	Placing the trash in cells Equipment operators push trash into cells. They stop and check if they see anything that shouldn't be there.
	Placing the daily cover At the end of each day, bulldozers spread a cover of crushed stone and dirt over the trash that has been brought in.
	Controlling refuse and odor Fences and nets trap wind-blown refuse. An odor neutralizer mist is released to minimize odor.
	Muffling noise Earth berms muffle the noise of heavy equipment.
	Inspecting for cleanliness Trucks are inspected before they leave to make sure they're clean and free of any refuse from the landfill.
	Inspecting for safety Trucks undergo safety checks and mechanical inspections to make sure they're safe to operate on area roads.
	Continual testing Regulations require operators to take care of their landfills even after they're filled, capped, and closed. This includes sampling groundwater and surface water, testing air quality, and checking for erosion and sedimentation.
	Continuing commitment Government Affairs Officer Harry Smith: "A landfill isn't something you walk away from. We have an obligation to protect the environment. We set aside funds to monitor and maintain the site even after it's closed."
	Leachate and methane As solid waste decomposes, it generates a liquid waste called leachate and a gas called methane. Both are fully contained within the liner system and both can be used beneficially to help the community and further protect the environment.
	Treating leachate Grand Central operates a leachate treatment system. Millions of gallons of leachate are collected from the liner system and pumped to the treatment facility. The leachate is cleaned up to a water purity level better than that of area streams. The treated water is reused to help promote biodegredation of the waste in the landfill cells.
	Using methane Grand Central operates a state-of-the-art gas-to-energy center. Decompostition gases are collected through a series of pipes and wells. The gases are compressed and injected into turbine generators and used to make electricity, which is sold to the regional electricity transmission grid. Proceeds benefit area communities. The center won a "Project of the Year Award" from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
	Community asset Grand Central is a good neighbor. Each year, it provides more than $300,000 in contributions, gifts, and in-kind services to local communities. It also generates more than $1.25 million a year in host fees to local communities.
	Proud of what we do We take pride in the work we do.