Abstract:

The current situation with waste disposal and recycling in the Leningrad region is quite disappointing. The Committee on State Environmental Control is receiving complaints on toxic smoke from the residents of the nearest settlements. At the same time, one of the largest landfill - "Krasny Bor" - considered to be a high consequence facility of federal significance, has been operating for more than 45 years, instead of the expected 3-5 years according to its design, and now it has almost completely depleted its resources. The cells, containing waste, are almost 100% filled up. Every year the landfill collects a large amount of precipitation, which automatically turns into waste. It is strongly prohibited to empty moistureproof cells into the environment. Consequently, there is no place for new waste disposal. Experts believe that the landfill waste accumulated for more than 45 years must be recycled using environmentally sound technologies which do not make harm to the health of people living nearby.