Field Trip: County Landfill

 

Yesterday our homeschool group went on a field trip to the county landfill.  I know!  Who would think of that! But it turned out to be a very educational and interesting field trip, indeed!

First we had a lesson explaining how the landfill was constructed (no, it is not just a huge hole in the ground, but a carefully and scientifically planned construction.  I believe the term reverse osmosis was used at some point.  As well as leachate.)

Then we were allowed to caravan through the landfill.  These pictures were taken by my nine year old.  Forgive her for not holding the camera straight or steadily.

So...where's the trash you ask?  Why, under all those rolling green hills, of course.  I mean, if you didn't know any better that would look like a great place for a picnic.

The actual area where the trash was visible was very small in proportion to the area of land we drove through. 

We then reached the generator where the methane gas is piped in and converted to electricity.

All of the inner workings of the generator were visible behind glass.

Here's the computer monitor showing all the stats on the gas.  

But the hit of the field trip were the boulders that had been excavated to build the landfill.  This part of our state was once under the ocean, 38,000,000 years ago.  The boulders held all sorts of fossils of sea critters and shells.

And they were great fun climbing on.

Even for the moms....who then needed assistance with getting off the boulders from a few gallant homeschooled teenaged boys.

I was so impressed with how clean everything was.  Even the main entrance was lovely with landscaping and a winding drive.

If you can, try planning a field trip to your county's landfill!  I hope it will be as interesting as our trip was!