If burying mass garbage onsite, what are the trench dimensions?

• A. 8 feet deep, 10 feet wide, 15 feet long
• B. 5 feet deep, 14 feet wide, 18 feet long
• C. 4 feet deep, 8 feet wide, 12 feet long
• D. 6 feet deep, 12 feet wide, 20 feet long

Answer: (D)

Onsite burial of mass garbage requires trenches sized to safely contain waste and allow thorough backfilling. A depth of about six feet helps deter scavengers and reduces the chance of odors reaching the surface, while a width of about twelve feet provides enough space to lay waste in layers and backfill evenly. A length of around twenty feet gives sufficient capacity to handle a large volume of material without making the trench unwieldy to manage.

Shallower depths (such as four or five feet) are more prone to odor issues and can be easier for pests to access. Narrower widths (eight to fourteen feet) limit how waste is spread and covered, making it harder to achieve a proper, uniform cover. Longer or shorter lengths change capacity and handling practicality, but the combination of six feet deep, twelve feet wide, and twenty feet long balances safety, odor control, and practicality for mass burial on site.