Using daily cover materials instead of soil can save a significant amount of landfill airspace. Traditional soil covers require about six inches of material spread over the waste each day, which gradually reduces the available volume for incoming trash.
Many alternative covers, such as synthetic liners, foams, or shredded debris, require much less thickness to achieve the same protective effect. By occupying less space, these materials allow more waste to be placed in the same footprint, extending the operational life of the landfill. The exact savings depend on the type of cover and the size of the landfill, but studies and practical experience show that using thinner, lightweight, or reusable covers can preserve thousands of cubic yards of airspace over time.
