What does the term "landfill" refer to in sanitation practices?

The term "landfill" specifically refers to a designated area where waste is dumped and buried. This process involves the systematic disposal of waste materials, often in a manner that minimizes environmental impact and can include different layers of soil or cover on top of the waste for various purposes, such as odor control and pest management. Landfills are built to contain waste safely and can include systems to manage leachate and gas emissions, which are critical for protecting surrounding environments and public health.

In contrast, the other options describe different aspects of waste management. A facility for recycling materials is focused on recovering resources from waste. An area for temporarily storing waste pertains to a staging area before processing or transport, while a center for hazardous waste management specifically deals with waste that poses significant risks to health and the environment. Each of these plays a distinct role in the broader sanitation and waste management system, highlighting the unique function of landfills in handling non-hazardous waste.