The biggest concern of landfill sites is the amount of methane they emit as the organic mass decompose. Methane is a gas that is 84 times more effective at absorbing the suns' heat than carbon dioxide, therefore it is more of a contribution to climate change.

Carbon dioxide, hydrogen, water vapour, nitrogen, oxygen and non methane organic compounds are produced in landfills and these gases left uncontrolled, like they currently are, contribute massively to climate change.

An average landfill size is 600 acres which destroys natural habitats for wildlife, not only through it covering the land but by contamination. The landfills are required to have clay or plastic lining by regulations, however these liners have leaks. The leaks result in a liquid called leachate, which contain high levels of ammonia. When this liquid leaks it contaminates water and the ground by creating nitrate, further damaging growth in ecosystems.This nitrate can then cause eutrophication, which creates “dead zones” where animals cannot survive due to lack of oxygen.

Landfills pose a threat to the health of those who live near them. A study found a increase 12% in congenital abnormalities in children that live nearby to a landfill. These contamination's are hidden within bugs, water, odor and smoke.

The landfill sites are constantly growing each year and becoming more and more damageable to the planet. 2.2 Billion tons of waste was dumped in landfills in 2021. We are living in a throw-away society which is constantly increasing. By 2050 that could double, which not also increases waste but increases emissions contributing to climate change. We need to make a change.