The Natural Cap – Sustainable solution for landfills
About this good practice
Monitoring over 30 years showed that the natural occurring peat at the sideways and bottom contained the contaminations: an important feature preventing migration of contaminations. Because of demonstrated safe containment of toxic waste in peat, it will be used to “install” a natural impermeable peat cap to ensure a much longer lifespan of the capping than in the case that the impermeable capping was only based on the application of a HDPE layer. The living peat works like a sponge and will prevent large quantities of water to penetrate the landfill. As long as the peat layer is intact the isolation of waste is secured and the cap will act as a net carbon sink.
The Volgermeer has become an attractive location for science students and naturalists studying the peat formation. Together with the Centre of Wetland Ecology
research programs were initiated to study the growth of peat and to assess the effects on the quality of the capping (isolation) of the waste.
The Volgermeer stands out as example of turning a heavily poluted landfill into a (scientific) natural park open for public and education by making use capacity of nature itself to solve environmental problems.
Main stakeholders: municipality of Amsterdam; Ministry of Infrastructure and Watermanagement; Burgercomitee (local residents).
Expert opinion
As shown in this example, nature-based solutions provide a promising approach to landfill recultivation, offering multiple environmental, social, and economic benefits. By using plants, ecosystems, and natural processes, nature-based solutions can help mitigate pollution, restore soil and water quality, and enhance biodiversity on landfills. These solutions align with the growing need for sustainable and resilient urban planning and can contribute to the creation of greener, more livable spaces in areas previously dominated by industrial waste. Peatlands, which are used in this good practice, are considered to be one of the most valuable terrestrial ecosystems when it comes to fight against climate change. While they cover only 3-4% of planet’s surface, they store up to one third of soil carbon (twice as much as in the whole world’s forest biomass). This is an excellent example of landfill rehabilitation, which support biodiversity and carbon sequestration, and serves as an important research area.
Resources needed
Evidence of success
After four years of large-scale scientific research, the recipe for peat formation on the mineral soil has been defined. The Natural Cap starts to form slowly. Special natural values have developed.
The site open for public and visited for pleasure and educational purposes. The monitoring results to date show no spread of contaminants.
Potential for learning or transfer
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
www.tauw.nl