Using Waste Wood Chips to Rehabilitate Landfill Sites

Results from the first three years of a ten year study, on the utilization of urban waste wood chips as a mulch and soil aggregate for tree establishment, are presented here. Tree growth trials on a closed landfill site have indicated that waste wood chips (hereafter also referred to as ’mulch’) offered a better growing environment through the reduction of mortality and die-back and an increase in shoot and root development. The ultimate aim of this project is to suggest a better method in landfill management through the reduction of wood wastes in the solid waste stream, abatement and redirection of landfill leachate, and an active rehabilitation effort.