Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill Operations Compliance Checklist

This comprehensive municipal solid waste (msw) landfill operations compliance checklist ensures regulatory compliance with EPA, 40 CFR Part 258, State Solid Waste Agency, SWANA. Daily operations inspection for municipal solid waste landfills covering active face management, cover application, leachate control, gas monitoring, and compliance with EPA 40 CFR Part 258 (RCRA Subtitle D) and state solid waste regulations. MSW landfill compliance prevents groundwater contamination, fire, and odor nuis

  • Industry: Waste Management & Recycling
  • Frequency: Daily / Weekly
  • Estimated Time: 35 minutes
  • Role: Operations Manager / Environmental Compliance Officer
  • Total Items: 20
  • Compliance: EPA, 40 CFR Part 258, State Solid Waste Agency, SWANA

Active Working Face Operations

Inspect active face per 40 CFR 258 operating criteria.

  • Is active working face size minimized per permit requirements to reduce nuisance and fire risk?
  • Are incoming loads inspected for unauthorized waste (hazardous, liquid, medical) per 40 CFR 258.20?
  • Is waste spread in layers and compacted to design density before covering?
  • Are litter fences or collection operations preventing wind-blown litter from leaving facility?
  • Are disease vector control measures (compaction, cover) preventing harborage per 40 CFR 258.22?
  • Is 6-inch daily cover applied to all exposed waste at end of each operating day per 40 CFR 258.21?

Leachate Collection and Management

Verify leachate system per 40 CFR 258.40.

  • Is leachate collection system (sumps, pipes, pumps) operational and pumping from all collection points?
  • Is leachate head above the liner within permit limit (typically less than 30 cm per 40 CFR 258.40)?
  • Is collected leachate disposed at approved facility (POTW, industrial treatment) with required permits?
  • Are leachate storage tanks or ponds within capacity and free of visible leaks or overflow?
  • Has inspection identified any seeps or leachate breakouts on landfill slopes or toe?

Landfill Gas Monitoring and Control

Verify LFG compliance per 40 CFR 258.23.

  • Is explosive gas concentration at facility structures below 25% of LEL (per 40 CFR 258.23(a)) based on quarterly monitoring?
  • Is methane concentration at property boundary below LEL per 40 CFR 258.23(b)?
  • Is landfill gas collection and control system (GCCS) operational per CAA permit requirements?
  • Is enclosed flare or beneficial use gas utilization equipment operational with temperature and flow records?
  • Are all gas extraction wells accessible and generating appropriate vacuum readings?

Groundwater Monitoring Program

Verify groundwater monitoring per 40 CFR 258.51.

  • Are all required monitoring wells accessible, properly secured, and sampled per quarterly monitoring schedule?
  • Are samples collected with proper chain of custody documentation and sent to certified laboratory?
  • Is statistical evaluation of monitoring data conducted per approved statistical method to detect release?
  • If statistical exceedance detected, has assessment monitoring or corrective action been initiated per 40 CFR 258.56?

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Why Use This Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill Operations Compliance Checklist?

This municipal solid waste (msw) landfill operations compliance checklist helps waste management & recycling teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for operations manager / environmental compliance officer professionals, this checklist covers 20 critical inspection points across 4 sections. Recommended frequency: daily / weekly.

Ensures compliance with EPA, 40 CFR Part 258, State Solid Waste Agency, SWANA. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill Operations Compliance Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 20 inspection items across 4 sections: Active Working Face Operations, Leachate Collection and Management, Landfill Gas Monitoring and Control, Groundwater Monitoring Program. It is designed for waste management & recycling operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed daily / weekly. Each completion takes approximately 35 minutes.

Who should use this Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill Operations Compliance Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Operations Manager / Environmental Compliance Officer professionals in the waste management & recycling industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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