Phew Wee!

Purpose: To find out what makes a landfill smell bad

Materials

• a large cardboard box
• one plastic trash bag
• masking or duct tape
• a bag of potting soil (enough to cover the bottom of the box to a 1-2 inch depth)
• watering can
• water
• students' lunch trash

Procedure

1. Cut the flaps off one end of the cardboard box.
2. Reinforce the bottom of the box with duct tape or masking tape.
3. Prepare the landfill by lining the box with the plastic liner.The liner should extend beyond the top edges of the box so that it is folded over.
4. Tape the folded edges to the outside of the box.
5. Pour potting soil in the box and distribute evenly.
6. Have students place one item left over from their lunch in the box. Make sure there is a variety of trash, including food, plastics, and paper.
7. Be sure that these items are buried and covered with dirt.
8. Water the landfill with enough water to make a mud mixture.
9. Place the landfill in an out of the way area for about a week.
10. Make sure that the landfill stays wet; water when necessary.
11. After about a week, uncover the items that were placed in the landfill.
12. Observe items and smell.
13. Discuss with students why some of the items appear to look different and some do not (the biodegrading process). Also, discuss why there is a strong, offensive smell.

Conclusion

1. What caused the items to smell bad?
2. How did some of the items change their appearance?
3. Why were some items affected more than others?
4. Why did we have to add water to the soil?
5. How could we reduce the odor in landfills?