Alternative daily covers are temporary by design. They are applied at the end of each working day to cover exposed waste and prevent problems such as odors, litter, and pests. Unlike final landfill caps, which are permanent and meant to seal off a completed section of the landfill for the long term, daily covers serve only to protect the active area overnight or during short periods of inactivity.
Some materials, such as reusable tarps or synthetic liners, are removed the next day before new waste is placed, while others, like foams or processed organic matter, may remain and become part of the landfill mass over time. The key purpose of a daily cover is short-term containment and control rather than long-term closure. Once the landfill cell is filled and ready for capping, a permanent cover system made of soil and specialized liners is installed to isolate the waste completely and manage gas and water movement for decades to come.
