What is the function of a sanitary landfill?

A sanitary landfill serves a critical function in waste management by providing a designated area for the safe disposal of solid waste. This type of landfill is engineered to minimize environmental impacts and ensure that waste is contained and managed in a manner that protects human health and the surrounding ecosystem.

The design of a sanitary landfill includes features such as liners to prevent leachate, which is the liquid that drains from the waste, from contaminating groundwater. It also incorporates systems for managing gases produced during the decomposition of organic waste, thus reducing the risk of air pollution. By properly managing solid waste, sanitary landfills play an essential role in keeping communities clean and reducing the risk of disease associated with improperly disposed waste.

The other options outline functions that are not the primary purpose of a sanitary landfill. Recycling hazardous materials involves different processes and facilities that specialize in handling such materials, while converting waste into energy usually requires incineration or other processes distinct from a landfill. Creating public parks is a potential land-use option for closed landfills but is not part of the landfill's function in waste disposal.