Which of these methods is often used to reduce the volume of waste in landfills?

Compaction and incineration are both effective methods employed to reduce the volume of waste in landfills.

Compaction is the process of compressing waste to decrease its volume. This method maximizes the use of landfill space by allowing more waste to be accommodated in a given area. Heavy machinery is often utilized to compress garbage, making it denser and therefore reducing the overall space that the waste occupies.

Incineration involves the burning of waste materials at high temperatures, resulting in the conversion of solid waste into ash, gases, and heat. This method dramatically reduces the volume of waste, as the combustion process can eliminate a significant percentage of the original bulk. While incineration can produce emissions that must be carefully managed, its volume reduction capabilities make it a valuable waste management strategy.

Both compaction and incineration are widely recognized for their roles in waste management and landfill operation, contributing to more sustainable waste disposal practices.