Management of closed landfills: A qualitative study evaluating real case studies from Norway

Landfilling remains a widely used and economically viable waste disposal method, particularly in regions with limited access to advanced treatment technologies. However, once these sites reach capacity and are closed, their long-term environmental management becomes a critical concern for municipalities and stakeholders. This study explores post-closure landfill management strategies by examining three closed landfill cases in Norway. A literature review was conducted to establish a baseline understanding of current practices and gaps. Despite previous research on landfill gas utilization and waste-to-energy technologies, there is a lack of empirical, site-specific studies addressing the long-term aftercare and post-closure management of closed landfills in European contexts. Therefore, this study addresses this gap by providing a case-based assessment of closed landfill management practices in Norway. Findings were synthesized using a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analytical framework to assess both internal and external influencing factors. The results highlight key strengths, including existing gas monitoring systems and recycling efforts, as well as critical weaknesses, such as infrastructure instability and limited historical assessment data. Opportunities are found in areas such as methane mitigation, circular economy integration, and land reuse planning, while threats include financial constraints and long-term maintenance concerns. Drawing on these insights, the study emphasizes the importance of developing integrated aftercare strategies that incorporate environmental monitoring, risk assessments, and cost-benefit analyses tailored to site-specific conditions. These insights are valuable for stakeholders, including municipalities, policymakers, landfill owners, national authorities, industries, and waste management companies, in shaping future initiatives for repurposing landfills. • Empirical analysis of aftercare strategies for Norwegian closed landfills • SWOT framework applied to assess internal and external factors • Findings support integrated aftercare plans with site-specific risk assessment • Study informs landfill reuse and circular economy efforts