GRAP - Guideline - Landfill sites

CPD hours:  1

Imagine a growing city where waste is collected daily, helping keep streets and communities healthy. But that waste must go somewhere behind the scenes—often to a landfill site. Managing these sites comes with significant responsibilities, from daily operations to long-term environmental rehabilitation once the site is closed. This is where the GRAP Guideline on Accounting for Landfill Sites comes into play.

The guideline directs how public sector entities should recognise, measure, and disclose the financial obligations related to landfill sites. It ensures that both the immediate costs of managing a landfill and the long-term costs of rehabilitation and closure are accounted for transparently.

For example, a municipality operating a landfill must recognise not only the current costs of waste management but also its future responsibility to rehabilitate the site. By applying the guideline, the municipality can plan for these costs in advance, ensuring resources are set aside and that financial statements reflect the true extent of its obligations.

By standardising how landfill sites are accounted for, the GRAP Guideline on Accounting for Landfill Sites enhances accountability, supports sustainable decision-making, and helps protect communities and the environment. It is not just about compliance but about demonstrating responsible stewardship of financial and natural resources for future generations.