| The U.S. EPA Principles for Greener Cleanups outline the Agency’s policy for evaluating and
minimizing the environmental footprint of activities involved in cleaning up contaminated sites. Best management practices (BMPs) of green remediation involve specific activities to address the core elements of greener cleanups. Remediation at thousands of sites across the United States involves addressing hazardous waste from former industrial landfills, aged municipal landfills, illegal dumps or waste piles. A final cover system is commonly installed in these areas as part of proper closure to serve as a surface barrier that contains the source material, reduces contaminant exposure pathways or migration, and manages associated risk. Green remediation BMPs can help meet sustainability and in some cases climate resilience goals associated with site cleanup projects. When properly designed and maintained, a final cover system could provide opportunities to reuse a site for purposes such as renewable energy production and greenspace preservation. Such land use may greatly benefit communities experiencing the negative impacts of environmental contamination from local sources such as aged landfills and illegal dumps. |