Geomembrane Liner, particularly high-density polyethylene (HDPE) variants, have become a cornerstone in modern landfills due to their impermeability, durability, and ability to maintain water quality. However, their adoption is not without challenges. This case study explores the disadvantages of geomembrane liner in landfills and recommends BPM , a leading geomembrane manufacturer, as a solution provider to mitigate these drawbacks.
1. Advantages of Geomembrane liner in landfill
1.1 Excellent anti-seepage performance
Geomembrane liner has excellent anti-seepage performance, which can effectively block the penetration of liquid and gas, and prevent the leakage and pollution of landfill leachate.
1.2 High anti-seepage coefficient
Geomembrane liner is made of high-quality high-density polyethylene virgin resin and co-extrusion technology. It has high molecular density and extremely low liquid permeability, and has an anti-seepage effect that ordinary waterproof materials cannot match.
1.3 Good chemical stability
Geomembrane liner can resist the erosion of various chemical substances, including high and low temperature resistance, resistance to asphalt, oil and tar, acid, alkali, salt and other chemical solutions, to ensure long-term and stable anti-seepage effect.
1.4 Good flexibility
Geomembrane liner has a certain flexibility, can adapt to the deformation and settlement of landfill, and is not easy to tear and damage.
1.5 Strong anti-aging performance
Geomembrane liner has strong anti-aging performance, can maintain stable performance and anti-seepage effect for a long time, and its material service life can reach 50-70 years.
2. The role of geomembrane liner in landfill
2.1. Geomembrane liner can effectively prevent liquid seepage in garbage, thereby reducing the risk of groundwater pollution
Since the leachate in the landfill contains a large amount of organic and inorganic substances, these substances may corrode the geomembrane, so the geomembrane needs to have excellent chemical corrosion resistance.
2.2. Geomembrane liner can prevent the spread of pollutants
Domestic garbage may contain harmful substances such as heavy metals and organic matter. If these pollutants spread to the surrounding soil, groundwater or surface water, they will have a serious impact on the environment and ecosystem. By laying geomembranes, the spread of these pollutants can be prevented, and the safety of water resources and ecological environment can be protected.
2.3. Geomembrane liner can improve the stability and safety of landfills
As an anti-seepage layer, geomembranes can reduce problems such as ground collapse and settlement caused by garbage seepage, thereby extending the service life of the landfill. At the same time, the construction and maintenance of geomembrane liner are relatively simple, which can effectively reduce the operating costs and risks of landfills.
3. Geomembrane Installation
3.1 Preliminary preparation
3.1.1 Determine the materials and specifications:
Determine the materials and specifications of the geomembrane liner to be used according to the needs of the project.
3.1.2 Preparation of the construction area
Clear the weeds, shrubs, trees, etc. in the construction area to ensure that the construction area is flat and clean.
Check whether there is potential soil unevenness in the construction area and carry out necessary treatment.
Use detection instruments to detect whether there are harmful chemicals in the soil, such as heavy metals, organic solvents, etc., to ensure a safe construction environment.
3.2 Geomembrane laying
3.2.1 Check the geomembrane
Before laying, check whether the geomembrane is intact and not broken or damaged.
3.2.2 Laying direction
Usually, it should extend from the bottom to the high position, do not pull too tight, and leave 1.50% margin for local sinking and stretching.
The slope is laid from top to bottom.
The film spreading direction should be basically parallel to the maximum slope line.
3.2.3 Joint treatment
The longitudinal joints of two adjacent sections should not be on the same horizontal line, but should be staggered by more than 1M.
The longitudinal joints should be more than 1.50M away from the dam foot and the bend foot, and should be set on the plane.
The overlap width is based on the design requirements, generally 10cm left and right.
3.3 Fixing and welding
3.3.1 Fixing
Use ground expansion anchors or other appropriate fixings to fix the edge of the geomembrane liner to the base.
The fixing spacing and method should be determined according to the engineering specifications.
3.3.2 Welding
For larger areas or when multiple geomembrane sheets need to be spliced, welding treatment should be performed.
Use HDPE welding materials to weld or bond the edges of the geomembrane liner according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and standard operating procedures.
Pay attention to the treatment of the welding interface to ensure the quality of welding.
3.4 Testing and protection
3.4.1 Testing
After installation, the geomembrane liner is tested to ensure that it has the required anti-seepage performance. It can be tested by water pressure test or other appropriate methods.
3.4.2 Protection
Cover the geomembrane liner with an appropriate protective layer, such as sand, to provide additional protection and support.
Subsequent backfilling work should ensure that the soil layer above the geomembrane liner is flat and avoid damage to the geomembrane liner by stress and pressure.
3.5 Precautions
3.5.1 Climate conditions
Construction should be carried out under conditions of temperature of 5-40℃ and wind force less than level 4. Avoid construction in rainy days or in bad weather such as high temperature and strong wind.
3.5.2 Construction time
In summer, high temperatures at noon should be avoided to prevent the geomembrane from being damaged due to thermal expansion and contraction.
3.5.3 Prevent damage
During construction, special attention should be paid to prevent sharp objects from scratching or damaging the geomembrane liner.
3.5.4 Quality monitoring
Carry out quality monitoring throughout the construction process, and each step complies with the specification requirements.
4. Disadvantages of Geomembrane Liner For Landfills
4.1. High Initial Investment Costs
Geomembrane liner, especially HDPE variants, require costs compared to traditional pond construction methods like clay or concrete. The material itself, along with specialized installation labor, increases the financial burden for small-scale farmers. For instance, HDPE geomembranes must be tailored to pond dimensions, and improper installation can lead to wasted resources. While long-term savings in water retention and reduced disease incidence offset these costs, the initial barrier remains a critical concern for budget-limited operations.
4.2. Environmental and Installation Sensitivity
The effectiveness of geomembrane liner depends heavily on precise installation conditions. They require a smooth, debris-free substrate and stable temperatures to avoid wrinkles or thermal expansion issues. In humid or rainy climates, adhesion during welding can falter, leading to seam failures. Additionally, UV exposure, though mitigated by additives, may degrade the material over time in regions with intense sunlight.
4.3. Limited Adaptability to Dynamic Environments
Geomembrane liner struggle in areas with significant ground movement or seismic activity. For instance, soil subsidence or shifting slopes can stress the membrane, causing cracks or detachment from pond edges. This limitation is particularly problematic in coastal or flood-prone regions, where natural forces are unpredictable.
4.4. Ecological and Disposal Concerns
While geomembrane liner are chemically stable, their production and disposal raise environmental questions. Non-recyclable geomembranes contribute to plastic waste, and improper disposal can lead to long-term ecological harm. Moreover, the carbon footprint of manufacturing synthetic polymers conflicts with sustainable aquaculture goals.
Mitigating Disadvantages Through Supplier Selection, to address these challenges, partnering with a reliable manufacturer is critical.
BPM offers tailored geomembrane solutions, including thickness (0.2–3.0 mm) and width (2–10 m) adjustments to suit specific aquaculture needs. Custom welding and installation guidance further reduce risks of seam failures. With a 16,000 m² manufacturing facility and advanced production lines, BPM achieves economies of scale, lowering per-unit costs. BPM’s geomembranes undergo rigorous testing for tensile strength, puncture resistance, and chemical stability. Certifications like ISO and ASTM compliance ensure reliability, reducing long-term repair costs. BPM serves adapting to diverse environmental conditions.
5. Summary
This study examines the disadvantages of geomembrane liner in landfill, including high upfront costs, vulnerability to damage, environmental concerns, and installation challenges. Despite these limitations, The best project material co.,ltd(BPM) is recommended as a strategic supplier for mitigating risks. BPM offers cost-effective, customizable geomembrane liner with UV/chemical resistance, rigorous quality certifications (ISO/ASTM), and scalable production. Their technical support ensures proper installation and durability, reducing long-term expenses. By addressing key drawbacks through innovation and expertise, BPM enables sustainable, efficient aquaculture operations while balancing economic and ecological priorities.
The Best Project Material Co., Ltd (BPM) is the leading geomembrane manufacturer, supplier, wholesaler and exporter. Our main innovative products include Smooth Geomembrane HDPE Liner, Textured HDPE Geomembrane, Composite Geomembrane Liner and other geosynthetics, etc. All of them had been certificated by the ISO9001, ISO14001, Soncap, SASO and BV certificates and passed SGS and Intertek test.
