Drone Landfill Survey Services

What Is a Drone Landfill Survey?

A drone landfill survey uses advanced UAV technology to capture precise aerial data of waste management sites, enabling accurate volume calculations, capacity monitoring, and regulatory compliance reporting. Our drones collect thousands of data points across your site in minutes, creating detailed 3D models that reveal the true shape and volume of your landfill cells.

At Drone Survey Services, we specialise in landfill surveying for waste management operators, environmental consultants, and local authorities across the UK. Our surveys provide the accurate, defensible data you need for environmental permits, void space calculations, and operational planning—all captured safely without disrupting active tipping operations.

James Leslie

Owner, Engineer & Drone Pilot

"Got questions? Call me directly - I'm happy to talk through your project."

Call Now

Accurate Landfill Volume Data,Delivered Fast

What You'll Receive

• Accurate volume calculations
• Void space & capacity analysis
• Progress tracking reports
• Survey-grade accuracy (±2-5cm)

Delivered in 5-7 working days

Why Choose Us

• CAA approved & fully insured
• Landfill survey specialists
• Latest DJI & RTK technology
• UK-wide coverage

Trusted by waste management operators and environmental consultants across the UK.

Available now — typically respond within 10 mins

020 4634 0456Get Expert Advice

Trusted by leading organisations

How Much Does a Drone Landfill Survey Cost?

Pricing depends on your site size and requirements. Here's a guide to help you budget:

*Guide prices include standard deliverables. Final quote based on site complexity, access, and specific requirements.

What affects your quote?

• Number of cells
• Site complexity
• Required deliverables
• Survey frequency

Our drone-based approach typically saves 50-70% compared to traditional ground surveys of landfill sites. Contact us with your project details and we'll provide a tailored quote within 24 hours.

What Is the Difference Between Drone Landfill Survey and Traditional Methods?

Traditional landfill surveys require surveyors to walk across active tipping areas, taking measurements with total stations or GPS equipment. This is slow, expensive, and often dangerous on unstable waste surfaces. Ground teams also struggle to capture detail in areas with active machinery operations.

Drone landfill surveys capture comprehensive data from the air, eliminating safety risks and dramatically reducing survey time. Our UAVs fly autonomous missions over your site, capturing thousands of georeferenced images that we process into accurate 3D models and volume calculations—all without setting foot on the waste surface.

What Accuracy Can a Drone Landfill Survey Achieve?

Our drone landfill surveys routinely achieve vertical accuracy of ±2-5cm and horizontal accuracy of ±3-5cm when using ground control points. This precision exceeds the requirements for environmental permit reporting and provides reliable data for void space calculations and capacity planning.

We use RTK-enabled drones with integrated GNSS positioning, supplemented by strategically placed ground control points around your site. This combination ensures consistent accuracy across the entire survey area, regardless of cell activity or terrain variations. The result is volume calculations you can confidently submit to regulators and use for operational decisions.

What Are the Applications of Drone Landfill Survey?

Drone landfill surveys serve waste management operations across the entire site lifecycle. Here are the key applications where our clients see the greatest value:

Can Drones Calculate Remaining Landfill Capacity?

Yes—this is one of the most valuable applications of drone landfill surveys. By comparing our accurate 3D surface models against your permitted final contours or engineering designs, we calculate precisely how much void space remains in each cell. This void space analysis is essential for planning tipping operations, forecasting site life, and supporting permit applications.

We can also track how capacity changes over time with regular monitoring surveys. This gives you reliable data for business planning, helps optimise cell utilisation, and provides the documentation regulators require. Our reports clearly present remaining capacity in cubic metres, making it easy to communicate with stakeholders and plan for future developments.

What Deliverables Do You Get From a Drone Landfill Survey?

We tailor deliverables to your specific requirements, but our standard drone landfill survey outputs include:

• Volume Calculations

  Accurate volume reports showing total waste deposited, changes since previous surveys, and remaining capacity in each cell.

• Void Space Analysis

  Detailed reports showing remaining permitted capacity, comparison against design profiles, and projected site life calculations.

• Progress Tracking Reports

  Visual and numerical comparison between survey dates, showing fill rates, settlement, and operational progress over time.

• Regulatory Reports

  Documentation formatted for Environment Agency submissions, permit compliance, and annual returns.

• CAD Files & 3D Models

  Digital surface models, contours, and CAD-ready files compatible with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and other engineering software.

How Long Does a Drone Landfill Survey Take?

On-site data capture is remarkably fast compared to traditional methods. A typical landfill site with 5-10 cells can be surveyed in 2-4 hours of flight time, plus setup and ground control point establishment. Larger sites may require a full day on site.

Processing and delivery depends on project complexity and your required outputs. Standard deliverables including volume calculations and reports are typically ready within 5-7 working days. For urgent requirements, we offer expedited processing with 48-72 hour turnaround available at additional cost.

How Do I Choose a Drone Landfill Survey Provider?

Not all drone survey providers understand the specific requirements of waste management sites. When evaluating providers for your landfill survey, we recommend checking these key factors:

• CAA authorisation – Ensure they hold valid GVC or legacy PfCO permissions for commercial operations
• Landfill experience – Waste sites have unique challenges; look for proven experience in the sector
• Professional insurance – Public liability and professional indemnity cover appropriate to waste site operations
• Volume calculation expertise – Ask about their methodology for volume and void space analysis
• Health & safety compliance – Familiarity with waste site H&S requirements and induction procedures

At Drone Survey Services, we tick every box. We're CAA approved, fully insured, and have delivered landfill surveys for waste management operators and environmental consultants throughout the UK. We understand the regulatory requirements and can deliver data in the formats your permits require.

Is Drone Landfill Survey Cheaper Than Traditional Methods?

In virtually all cases, yes—significantly. Traditional ground surveys of active landfill sites are slow, expensive, and carry significant health and safety risks. Surveyors working on unstable waste surfaces need extensive safety measures, and the time required to manually capture data across large cells makes costs escalate quickly.

Our drone surveys capture comprehensive, accurate data in a fraction of the time with no personnel on the waste surface. The cost savings typically range from 50-70% compared to traditional methods, while also delivering faster turnaround and more detailed datasets. For sites requiring regular monitoring, the economics become even more favourable with recurring survey packages.