Since 2017, the Dutch central government, provinces, landfill managers and scientists have been collaborating on an innovative experiment into Sustainable Landfill Management. The research is being conducted at three pilot sites in the Netherlands, including two Afvalzorg sites. Halfway through the ten-year pilot, independent experts have drawn up an interim report. The results show that the experiment has a chance of succeeding without there being any negative impact on the environment. The desired processes, such as the leaching of contaminants and the natural breakdown/stabilising of organic materials have been set in motion. This means the green light has been given for the second half of the pilot.
About Sustainable Landfill Management
The introduction to Sustainable Landfill Management (introductie Duurzaam Stortbeheer – iDS) project is investigating whether it is possible to break down contaminants in landfill sites and neutralise it so that everlasting aftercare is either minimised or eliminated all together. Sustainable landfill management involves the addition of water and/or air to the landfill site to boost the organic decomposition process. It can bring about sizeable cost savings and it will avoid passing the problem on to future generations. The interim report gives us confidence in the future and a reason to continue with the pilots.