A comparative analysis of the performance of geomembrane versus compacted clay cover systems for two landfills in Central Europe

Engineered landfills remain a prevalent municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal method, designed and operated to minimize environmental impacts such as methane (CH 4 ) emissions and leachate production. This study compares the effectiveness of two cover systems in minimizing emissions: geomembrane (GM) and compacted clay liner (CCL) in MSW landfills in Poland and the Czech Republic. Using the Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance model, six scenarios quantified leachate generation and sealing efficiency. Results showed that GM covers reduced the volume of leachate by up to four times compared to CCL (avg. 141.2 m 3 ha −1 ). Analysis of landfill gas (LFG) monitoring data indicated a significant discrepancy in CH 4 emission pattern for CCL ranging from 0.3% to 66.5% of LFG volume, suggesting thatGM covers are more effective in mitigating the emission of greenhouse gas via more organized emissions. The findings address the current gaps in international regulations and support more sustainable landfill closure practices aligned with the European Union Policy and sustainable development goals.