What is the primary purpose of laying soil over a landfill and planting grass?

The primary purpose of laying soil over a landfill and planting grass is to enhance aesthetic value and prevent erosion. Covering a landfill with soil and establishing vegetation serves multiple important functions. Firstly, it greatly improves the visual appeal of the site, making it less of an eyesore in the landscape. Secondly, the grass and plants help stabilize the soil, reducing erosion caused by wind and water, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the landfill cover over time.

While increasing the landfill's capacity is a consideration in landfill design, adding soil and vegetation does not directly contribute to this goal. The intention isn’t to make the landfill larger but to manage its surface. Promoting wildlife habitat is a potential secondary benefit, but enhancing aesthetics and preventing erosion are primary, immediate benefits of this practice. Facilitating gas emissions is not a goal of planting grass; rather, addressing gas emissions is often a separate matter involving landfill management practices aimed at controlling leachate and gases released from decomposing waste.