The purpose of this Decree is to prevent and reduce the negative effects that landfilling of waste can have on human health and the environment, particularly with regard to the pollution of surface water, groundwater, soil, and air, as well as the global environment, throughout the entire lifecycle of a landfill. Only waste that has been treated may be landfilled. Treatment refers to the use of physical, thermal, chemical, or biological methods, including sorting, that alter the waste’s properties to reduce its volume or hazardousness, facilitate its handling, or promote recycling. Waste listed in Section 8 may not be landfilled. A landfill must be located in such a way that it does not pose a serious risk to the environment, taking into account: 1) the distance from the landfill to densely populated areas, residential areas, recreational areas, agricultural areas, water bodies, and waterways; 2) the presence of surface water, groundwater, coastal waters, and protected natural areas; 3) the geological and hydrogeological conditions at and around the site; 4) the risk of flooding, subsidence, landslides, or avalanches at the site; and 4) the protection of natural and cultural values at and around the site.