Do we need a clean city?
31/12/2009 00:00
The problem of wastes and the production, simply collection and utilization of the wastes is one of the oldest problems. All ancient cities of the world had been built on the dumps: the nearest ravines heaped up with the wastes of the domestic needs and production, and while developing of the cities the new construction was began on these fields. Unsupervised waste control led to the contamination of the ground and surface waters, the high composition of methane in the air, reproduction of the rats, cockroaches, spreading of the inflectional diseases. This problem is familiar to us too. Biggest city dump in Balakhani and other prohibited landfills in the suburbs of the city-is one of the ecological problems in Baku. This theme is approached by the journalists, community and settlement of this problem is attached great importance by the Government. One of the important projects between the Government of Azerbaijan and World Bank on the credit agreement is the program on “Integrated Solid Waste Management”.
The rehabilitation of Balakhani landfill is being realized within the frame of the stated project. On October 14, 2009 the process of handling over the Balakhani landfill to the balance of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC from the Baku city execution power on the utilization of the urban wastes was completed. After a certain time in December the meeting was held with the representatives of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC and the journalists and environmental NGO for raising public awareness on the course of the project implementation. It was interesting for us to be informed about the opinion of Firuza Sultan-zade, the manager of Social-Ecological Center “EcoSphera”, about the current changes made.
– Firuza khanum, talk a little about the meeting. What was the topic of discussion of the meeting?
– The official part of the meeting was held at the administrative building of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC. The chairman of the management Zakir Ibrahimov provided the information on the goals of the project “Integrated Solid Waste Management”, the improvement of the system of collection and utilization of solid household wastes in Absheron peninsula and improvement of the environmental condition at this region. The above named project will be implemented within 5 years, and the value of the project is $41.5million and $29,5 million of this amount will be allocated by the World Bank, and the remaining $12 million by the Government of Azerbaijan. There were discussions on five components of the project – development of solid waste management system; rehabilitation of Balakhani landfill and prevention of its negative impact to the environment; restoration of other landfills and liquidation of unauthorized dumps; purchase of equipment for the waste accumulation and assortment ; establishment of loading and unloading stations for the receipt and sorting of wastes. Currently, a feasibility study is being prepared for implementation of the initial project works.
The main idea of the meeting was focused on the ongoing changes on Balakhani landfill. We were concerned about what would happen on the biggest landfill of the city. How the problem of landfill where the wastes are buried over 50 years will be settled? According to the representatives of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC, the surface of the inactive part of the landfill will be covered with spesific materials so as toprevent the emission of greenhouse gases to the environment. The new landfill with the isolation on the several layers will be built at the active part of the dump whether in lower or upper direction. It will prevent mixing of the filtrated waters with subsoil waters and they may be used either irrigation or technical water through a special cleaning. The accumulated methane will be discharged through special pipes or used for the treatment of the heat and electric energy. After covering the landfill surface the greening works will be carried out. So the dump will not remind us the fragments from the fantastic movies, but will be equipped with the modern technical equipments and perform as a clean facility.
The fragments from the documentary film about the Balakhani landfill were shown to the meeting participants; this was deplorable for those who had never visited the dump before. The fragments from the documentary are not new for us. I was quite acquainted with the condition of the landfill due to permanent projects, conducted in Balakhani. Therefore, I was looking forward to visiting the area which was intended at the end of the official part of meeting.
It should also be noted that I was satisfied with concrete answers of the management made in response to the questions of the representatives of the ecologic NGO and as well as journalists.
– What changes would you like to state after visiting the landfill?
– As I stated, I had been at Balakhani landfill previously. We conducted several scientific works together with bachelors and Masters of Biological faculty of BSU at Balakhani, recently we have implemented the project on the environmental situation of this settlement together with the pupils of Balakhani Schools. Therefore, it allows me to compare the previous and current condition of the landfill after handling the landfill over to “Tamiz Shahar” JSC.
Balakhani landfill had not met the elementary sanitary-ecological requirements and was the biggest fuming waste dump. The permanent waste incineration on this area not only negatively affected the environment, but also the lives of local inhabitants. Such impact was not only the local, but also the majority of urban population drew their attention to the heavy smoke and odor seen at the regions near the Balakhani landfill and at the highway, leading to the airport named after H. Aliyev. When you visited the landfill you could observe the mountains of waste heaped up on that area. Many are unaware that the local residents and children visited the dump to find out something for sale.
On 17th of December, when we visited the dump as the team members consisting of journalists and representatives I found the Balakhani landfill unbelievably changed. Clean blue sky, a little bit cold and windy. In the past it was impossible to stay here due to the odour of the corrupting waste and smoke, but today we enjoy the fresh air. The employees of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC met us at the entrance gate and made a short presentation about the works carried out at the landfill.
We were offered to eyewitness everything after acquaintance and information exchange. Firstly, we stayed at the entrance and eyewitnesses the registration process of vehicles and people entering into the territory of the site. Then we followed to the deep of the landfill on the constructed road. On the road the employees of the Balakhani landfill openly and sincerely talked about the current condition, problems and difficulties of the landfill and proudly informed us about the works done by them within the short period of time. Then, we entered into enclosed square, where the preliminary sorting of wastes is carried out – the metal, plastic and other materials are being sorted. The workers are required to wear special clothes, gloves and respirators and all of them have been instructed on the technical safety rules. All necessary conditions were provided for the employees. The children are not allowed to access to the landfill area, more than 140 residents of the neighboring settlements who were previously engaged in utilization of wastes were employed as sorters. At the end of the our on-site trip we drove the car across the landfill territory and we revealed that there were no longer hills of wastes, the wastes were cleaned normally, rammed, and covered with soil layers technologically. Even the opposite bank of Boyuk-Shor Lake is visible and this vision has never been so clear till now. There is no smoke and odor. “Clean sky” on the landfill was achieved at the first stage
– And what do you think about the hazardous wastes, will they be received by the Balakhani landfill?
– We are concerned about this matter as well. According to the employees of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC, the special limitations were applied on some hazardous types of wastes. These wastes should be delivered to the special-purpose landfills.
– What types of works are planned to conduct on the landfill in the nearest future?
– As it was mentioned by the employees of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC, the works on fencing of the landfill area will be started very soon. In 2010 they are planning to launch the operation of equipments for washing and disinfection of refuse collection trucks entering into the landfill. Finally, thereby the negative impact arising from refuse collection trucks coming from Balakhani landfill to the capital city will be reduced. Furthermore, it was stated that “Tamiz Shahar” JSC planned to conduct monitoring investigations of the existing contamination of the soil, water and air. The ecological cleanness of the landfill should be approved with repeated researches, and it is mandatory both for the professional or ordinary townsmen. “Tamiz Shahar” JSC is planning to prepare the draft document of these researches by the end of February. Moreover, “Tamiz Shahar” JSC conducts the negotiations with the local laboratories for per square analysis on the landfill, which is actual and in time.
Complete rehabilitation of the Balakhani landfill within the “Integrated Solid Waste Management” project is planned to complete by the beginning of 2011 and all scheduled works and installation of equipment will be completed by the end of 2013.
http://www.zerkalo.az/2009-12-31/nature/5901-musor-svalka-temizsheher
