2 Waste Management PPQ

Question 1

Northern Ireland remains over reliant on landfill. As old landfill facilities close, new ones are required.
Describe four difficulties associated with locating and developing new landfill sites.

Answer 1

Location;
Any two points from;
• Planning permission is required which can delay the landfill becoming operational by several years.

• A permit is required for operation which requires that full surveys have been carried out. This process is time consuming and adds to the upfront cost for the operator.
• There may be objections from local residents due to noise / odour / issues. This will delay planning permission being granted and subsequent award of a permit.
• Suitable transport links are required so that waste can be brought to the site in heavy goods vehicles.
Development;
Any two points from;
• Once a permit / licence has been granted it takes a further 18 months from the beginning of construction to operation adding to up-front investment costs.
• The site must be geographically suitable so that the polluting leachates from the site cannot affect the surrounding land and water.
• A detailed site survey is required prior to operation to ensure that the landfill site will not cause movement of the surrounding land.
• An environmental assessment is required to confirm that the effect of the landfill site on the local environmental is minimal.
• The landfill must include leachate and landfill gas treatment measures to minimise water and air pollution.
• Leak detection is required as flammable methane gas can be released. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas.

Question 2

The Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy identifies major waste types. Name one major waste type.

Answer 2

Any one from;
• Municipal waste
• Commercial and industrial waste.
• Construction, demolition and excavation waste.
• Hazardous waste.
• Agricultural waste.

Question 3

List waste management hierarchy from top to bottom

Answer 3

Prevention
Reduce
Reuse
Recycling
Energy recovery
Disposal

Question 4

Outline the main processes associated with waste recycling at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) for common domestic waste items such as glass, aluminium, paper and plastics;

Answer 4

Quality inspection
Separation
QC then rubbish is bailed

Question 5

Explain the key differences between a ‘bioreactor’ landfill and ‘dry tomb’ landfill. {4}

Answer 5

Bioreactor – encourages the decomposition of the waste through the re- injection of leachate and microbe rich water.

• The waste is no compacted to facilitate the flow of air and water thereby
encouraging the chemical decomposition. {1}
• As a result of the decomposition additional waste can be added. {1}
• Gas and leachate are collected and treated. {1}

Dry tomb – discourages reactions taking place.

• Body of waste is sealed and there are high rates of compaction along with minimum flow of rainwater and leachate through the landfill. {1}
• Waste can subsequently be stored for material value in the future. {1}