Phytocapping as a cost-effective and sustainable cover option for waste disposal sites in developing countries

Few waste disposal sites in developing countries are designed and operated as engineered sanitary landfills due to common technical and financial constraints. Phytocapping presents a natural soil-plant alternative to the conventional engineered landfill cover design. It requires less engineering input and has a lower cost than conventional impermeable covers as it only utilizes local recourses. It also offers the advantage of oxidating methane to reduce landfill greenhouse emissions. This type of covers has the potential to make a significant difference in the way that developing countries are capping their waste sites. This paper introduces the phytocap concept as well as discusses its relevance and advantages for developing countries.