Afvalzorg folder Engels

T

he environmental impact from landfill sites can be reduced enormously by taking the right measures. This starts with the process of careful site selection, design and construction. Other important factors include the daily operations, management of leachate and landfill gas and closure of landfill sites. With the right closure and aftercare it is possible to transform landfills into valuable landscapes.

Landfill gas can be recovered and used to generate electricity and heat. Afvalzorg supports government bodies and private companies in all these phases of landfill development and management.

Head office Afvalzorg; first permanent building on waste

Landfill sites: problem or opportunity?

Afvalzorg landfill site Nauerna, 80 hectares

Advice and support Afvalzorg is the most specialised company in the Netherlands in the field of construction, management and final landscaping of landfill sites. We aim to reduce the negative effects of landfill sites and maximise the opportunities they provide. Afvalzorg is constantly looking for and implementing sustainable, environmentally sound and practical solutions. We collaborate with government bodies and private companies abroad in tackling landfill issues in their own

Afvalzorg offers advice on: the design and construction of landfill sites the efficient and environmentally sustainable operation of landfill sites leachate drainage and treatment landfill gas recovery and utilisation projects capping methods monitoring and aftercare measures redevelopment options implementation of sustainable landfill

countries. We also train local staff, providing them with the skills needed to carry out activities themselves.

Design and construction of landfill sites In our site design procedures we comply with the current and future domestic and international regulatory framework. European countries, for example, must comply with the European Landfill Directive.

Afvalzorg advises on infrastructure, bottom liners, capping and subdivision into landfill cells. Our goal is to achieve economic and environmental benefits for both the short and long term.

Operation Landfilling waste entails a number of risks. In the case of landfill sites without bottom liners, micro-contaminants can result in health risks.

At the same time, a landfill site can be a source of nuisance due to dust and noxious odours. A well thought-out site operation plan can avoid and reduce this nuisance. By making the right choices, efficient and safe waste processing operations can be guaranteed.

Leachate treatment Controlling the environmental impact of a landfill site is very important. Leachate (rain water that seeps through the landfill), landfill gas and dust must be managed and avoided as much as possible. A biologically-based water treatment process can ensure that leachate can be released into the surface water without creating a risk to the environment.

Landfill gas projects Landfill gas, a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide, is formed in the landfill body when organic material in the waste is anaerobically degraded. Uncontrolled release of landfill gas can create a number of problems inlcuding fires, explosions and odour nuisance.

Methane is also a potent greenhouse gas which is 21 to 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. The negative effects of landfill gas on and around landfills can be reduced by recovering landfill gas as much as possible. Recovered landfill gas can be used to generate electricity and heat. Instead of being a problem landfill gas can be used for the production of "green energy" and thus create revenues from waste. This way landfill gas projects create great incentives that will improve the design and operation of a landfill. When unsuitable

Services Afvalzorg can provide in landfill gas project development are: feasibility studies landfill gas project development design, build and operate landfill gas projects capacity building

for energy purposes, landfill gas is burned in a flare to prevent greenhouse gases escaping into the atmosphere. Afvalzorg is highly experienced in landfill gas recovery and utilisation.

Capping and redevelopment Landfill sites that are full or no longer in use, can be closed and capped so that the waste is stored safely. The design of the final cap depends on the risks, the applicable regulations in the country concerned, available budget and end-use. Closed landfill sites can also be redeveloped into valuable sites. For landscape development Afvalzorg combines its knowledge of soil sanitation, waste disposal and the use of secondary materials. We have transformed landfill sites and contaminated sites into amenities that includes a ski slope, recreation areas and golf courses.

The ultimate example is our head office: the first permanent office ever to be built on waste. This way landfill sites can become a sustainable and valuable long-term solution for next generations.

Wind turbines and solar parks Landfill sites are often well suited for the development of energy projects. Afvalzorg is currently building wind turbines on its own landfills. Wind turbine development is a good opportunity for landfills in exploitation as well as closed sites. With the electricity from windturbines, a landfill site can be more than energy neutral. The surplus can be delivered to the energy network. Afvalzorg has the ambition to build solar parks on its landfills and has founded an energy subsidiary for the realisation of sustainable energy projects.

landfill gas recovery

Redeveloped Afvalzorg landfill site into recreational area

Innovation and sustainable landfill

International partner

Afvalzorg is constantly in search of new and innovative landfill techniques, both nationally and internationally. Afvalzorg is committed to develop even safer and more sustainable landfills. By sustainable we mean that no environmental problems are left behind for the next generation. During practical trials we carried out over a period of ten years, processes that determined leaching were identified. The most important conclusions of the sustainable landfill projects are that contaminants can be removed more quickly and emissions are lower and can be better predicted and controlled.

Afvalzorg acts as an international partner in several projects.

Our specialists frequently participate in waste disposal projects, capacity building projects, execute landfill gas feasibility studies and develop landfill gas to energy projects. In addition, Afvalzorg has developed a national strategy and methodology for the rehabilitation of old dumpsites, a national guidance document on landfill methane emission reduction, a European model strategy for aftercare management as well as local rehabilitation action plans.

International affiliations: Netherlands Waste Management Partnership (NWMP) SufalNet Vice-chair of FEAD Landfill Committee International Solid Waste Association (ISWA) International Waste Working Group (IWWG)

Redeveloped Afvalzorg landfill site Schoteroog

NV AFVALZORG HOLDING PO Box 2, 1566 ZG Assendelft, the Netherlands Telephone: +31 (0)88 - 801 08 01 Fax: +31 (0)88 - 801 08 08 E-mail: info@afvalzorg.com Internet: www.afvalzorg.com

European Commission (chair of TAC working group on landfill methane emission reduction)

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