jätekenttä

Jätekenttä is a Finnish term that translates to "landfill" or "waste field" in English. It refers to a site where waste is disposed of by burial. Historically, jätekentät were common methods of waste management, but modern practices have evolved towards more controlled and environmentally conscious landfill designs.

In contemporary Finland, the term might still be used colloquially to refer to older, less regulated disposal sites. However, official waste management facilities are typically referred to as kaatopaikka (landfill) or jäteasema (waste station), depending on their function. Modern kaatopaikat are engineered facilities designed to minimize environmental impact, often featuring liners to prevent groundwater contamination and systems for collecting landfill gas.

The management of jätekentät, particularly older ones, can pose environmental challenges. These include potential soil and water pollution and the release of greenhouse gases. Consequently, efforts are often made to remediate or close down obsolete jätekentät and to transition towards sustainable waste management strategies such as recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy processes. The concept of a jätekenttä highlights the historical progression of waste disposal practices and the ongoing efforts to improve environmental protection.