Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Leachate Management : Decision-Support Tool and Technical Guidance for Practitioners

Overview & Synopsis

This report presents a practical decision-support framework for managing municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill leachate in developing countries. It highlights the limitations of conventional treatment-focused approaches and promotes an integrated strategy that prioritizes leachate prevention, minimization, and sustainable landfill operations. The guidance emphasizes measures such as waste diversion, stormwater management, progressive landfill closure, moisture control, and alignment with landfill gas capture and greenhouse gas mitigation objectives. Through technical guidance, evaluation tools, and case studies, the report demonstrates how context-specific solutions can reduce leachate generation, lower treatment costs, improve environmental performance, and enhance climate resilience. The framework supports public agencies, landfill operators, and practitioners in selecting cost-effective and sustainable leachate management approaches that contribute to long-term operational efficiency and circular economy goals.