Other Services

In addition to the services we provide, we perform landfill capacity/expansion studies, efficiency/productivity studies, and siting and permitting assistance.

Landfill Capacity / Expansion Studies

One of our specialties is performing landfill capacity and/or expansion studies. We evaluate refuse stream trends, refuse density, and cover soil ratio in order to determine remaining life or to calculate life of expansion areas. We use terrain modeling software to compare existing and final surfaces in this process in order to accurately assess the available airspace. When comparing several expansion options, we evaluate each option on the airspace capacity, various costs associated with each, and the net present value of each in order to provide a recommendation for the most cost effective option.

Efficiency / Productivity Studies

As a landfill operations consultant, we are often asked to determine whether a specific landfill operation is as efficient as it could be. Efficiency and productivity studies can be performed to evaluate the entire operation or specific portions of the operation. Several types of these studies are listed below.

Compaction / Density Studies
Refuse density is an important component of a well-run landfill. Proper compaction will minimize long-term settlement, reduce the amount of cover soil required, promote surface drainage and maximize the site's lift. In order to perform accurate, realistic compaction/density tests, we've developed a standard procedure for measuring compaction density and productivity. Due in part to the competition between equipment manufacturers, we've found that in most cases, compactors are overworked and achieve somewhat less than optimum density.

Site Efficiency Studies / Operations Audits
These types of studies evaluate the entire operation. Our review includes the borrow area, fill areas, fill sequencing, refuse cell construction, cover soil placement, site access, pad spacing, and general operations. The goals of these type of analyses is to streamline the operation and make the site as cost-effective as possible.

Productivity Tests
Productivity tests generally evaluate the productivity rate of a machine(s). For example, evaluating the practice of placing cover soil with track-type tractors as a comparison against other methods of placing cover. Compaction Density tests are another common type of productivity test. In addition to performing dozens of task-related productivity tests, Blue Ridge principal, Neal Bolton has been involved in numerous equipment productivity tests of machines like the: 

• Caterpillar 826 Landfill Compactor w/ Cat Chopper Wheel
• Caterpillar 826 Landfill Compactor w/ Caron Pin-on Teeth (proto-type)
• Caterpillar 518 Landfill Compactor (proto-type)
• Caterpillar 936 Landfill Compactor (proto-type)
• Ingersoll-Rand (ALJON) LF-750 Landfill Compactor
• CASE 580 Backhoe Loader

Time Studies
A "time study" breaks simple, everyday tasks into their basic components, and then measures the time spent performing each one. To perform a time study, we'd watch a person or machine for a short period of time (i.e., a day or a week) and record the time they spend performing each task. The result is a table that lists the time spent on each task. Doing this often provides landfill managers with a new perspective in regard to the importance (or insignificance) of specific tasks. Time studies are one of the best tools for finding financial "leaks" in a landfill's operation.

Siting & Permitting
Subtitle D established criteria for siting a landfill. The siting and permitting process can be a difficult and confusing process. We have prepared numerous permit applications over the past several years.

The following projects involve one of these other services. Perhaps your landfill needs an objective eye to judge efficiency or maybe your company is looking at expanding its original site or starting a new site all together. Contact one of the references to find out how our services helped them.