Maximizing landfill capacity by vertical expansion
Published on 23 April 2019
Malta
Puglia
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The limited void space available at the Ghallis non-hazardous landfill is the most significant waste management issue at the national level in Malta. This facility is the only disposal option–barring export at a prohibitive cost–for non-hazardous waste streams where diversion to recovery or recycling is not an option. Remaining approved landfill void space as at March 2017 is estimated at 1,000,000m3. The remaining landfill void space is expected to be filled rapidly, given current waste deposition rates. These engineering works to build a retaining wall with an inclination of 70° will extend the Ghallis landfill life time by around 12 months, by increasing void space by circa 350,000m3. Implementation of the project is carrying out by Frisoli s.r.l., an Italian company specialised in landfill engineering.
The construction of the retaining wall involves the following processes:
i. Process 1: re-engineering of the Ghallis eastern face, including shifted of excavated waste, in preparation for foundations;
ii. Process 2: extension of the existing basal liner by welding to extend containment, and laying of foundations; and
iii. Process 3: recontouring of Ghallis landfill profile, resulting in an angle of 70° using reinforced compacted waste; placing of geotextile and capping materials satisfying the requirements of the Landfill Directive 1999/31/CE, allowing for proper drainage and biogas collection.
No increase in height beyond the permitted limits is being contemplated.
The construction of the retaining wall involves the following processes:
i. Process 1: re-engineering of the Ghallis eastern face, including shifted of excavated waste, in preparation for foundations;
ii. Process 2: extension of the existing basal liner by welding to extend containment, and laying of foundations; and
iii. Process 3: recontouring of Ghallis landfill profile, resulting in an angle of 70° using reinforced compacted waste; placing of geotextile and capping materials satisfying the requirements of the Landfill Directive 1999/31/CE, allowing for proper drainage and biogas collection.
No increase in height beyond the permitted limits is being contemplated.
Resources needed
Equipment: Truck, Excavator, Crawler and/or loader, Compactor, Bending machine, Vibratory plate. Manpower: 10 people for foundation works and 8 people for side slope lining system. In the working area, there will be at least 4 representatives of the company. Project cost: from €5 mil to €6 mil.
Evidence of success
The practice permits to recover volume within the existent footprint of the landfill and without exceed the max. permitted height. .
The advantage of this technique is that less land is used for landfilling waste, allowing the scarce land to be used for high value means of land use.Furthermore,the capping system realized during the construction phases allows for a reduction in leachate production and in the consequent lower costs associated to its treatment.
The advantage of this technique is that less land is used for landfilling waste, allowing the scarce land to be used for high value means of land use.Furthermore,the capping system realized during the construction phases allows for a reduction in leachate production and in the consequent lower costs associated to its treatment.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice could potentially be applied in any regions. The technique is very flexible and can be applied to almost all landfills. The technique permits to postpone the construction of a new landfill or to allow for sufficient time to develop any other waste management options, obtain the required regulatory permits, and construct the required infrastructure. This solution is essential if alternatives are to be operational before available landfill void space is exhausted. Furthermore, for these kind of works, no particular authorization is needed only an alteration of the existent permit for an extension in volume within the existent footprint of the landfill and without exceed the max. permitted height.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Frisoli s.r.l.
Italy
Puglia