Filenews 24 July 2022 - byAngelos Nicolaou
A solution to the biggest problem observed since the beginning of its operation, in November 2017, is attempted to be given to the Integrated Waste Management Facility (OEDA) of Pentakomou. The problem concerns the inability to dispose of the produced secondary fuel for its energy recovery, a mixture that amounts to about 46% of the total waste and is disposed of in the Landfill with unknown consequences.
After the commencement of the operation of the Pentakomou OEDA, it became apparent that the produced RDF does not comply with the specifications of the Contract in terms of its maximum permissible moisture content, with the result that the Vasilikos Cement Works refused to receive it.
Speaking to "F", the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Costas Kadis, said that it is expected that next week a proposal will be submitted by the contractor for improving the quality of the secondary fuel produced, as well as its utilization in the Plant itself. After the submission of the proposal, he said, experiments will be given in August with the aim of managing it in an environmentally friendly way.
The treatment of waste in the facility is in contradiction with both the objectives and the measures of the Municipal Waste Management Strategy 2015-2021, which was approved by the Council of Ministers and according to which the unit OEDA and XYTY Pentakomo will utilize the mixed waste to the maximum extent, applying the hierarchy of waste management through mechanical sorting for separation of recyclables, utilization of the organic and other residue by composting or production of combustible material (SRF / RDF) for energy recovery and minimization of the percentage that will be promoted for final disposal.
As a result, today the Reception Unit of the composites is overflowing, which indicates that the mechanical processing plant is either under-functioning or does not operate at all. In general, from every building, covered space, even from uncovered spaces, the picture is tragic since garbage is overflowing from everywhere.
In addition to the above, the continuous and uncontrolled incineration of waste in the area brings back to the forefront of the news the problem of serious dysfunction and the consequent stench caused by the OEDA and Pentakomo Landfill unit, as well as the consequent systemic problem of the inability to enforce environmental legislation.
Another, one of the very serious problems recorded, concerns the increased quantities of leachate that must be treated and disposed of with increased energy needs, in violation of the best available technique to reduce emissions to water and air.
In fact, in the artificial stormwater collection lake, the produced leachate from the landfill seems to be stored. Obviously, the Biological Treatment Plant for leachate and other wastewater is either under-functioning or does not work at all, with the result that the artificial lake built for stormwater storage is used for wastewater storage. The lake is full and sewage is overflowing.
Burning landfill and covering with soil
The fire that broke out in the landfill on July 15 and that is still smoildering, highlights the problem of the occupancy of the space, while it has been decided to create a new cell by assigning it to the existing contractor. The fire that occurred inside the landfill is due to the poor operation of the site. Obviously, the proper earth cover of the waste was not done on a daily basis and there was a large front uncovered, so that the fire spread rapidly and it was not easy to extinguish it. The good practice, especially during the summer months, is to have quantities of soil stored inside the landfill, as well as mobile equipment operators to monitor the area throughout the week, so that if a fire occurs, it can be immediately noticed and extinguished immediately by covering with soil.
Illegal waste storage
The unit OEDA and XYTY Pentakomou does not receive satisfactory maintenance of the equipment and does not ensure its smooth operation, in violation of the obligation to prepare and respond to emergency situations. For example, the shredder has been out of order for a long time, and the facility continues to receive bulky waste, which is stored in the plant in large quantities without precautions for the risk of fire. It seems that the bulky waste shredder, after the fire that broke out in this area months ago, resulting in its complete destruction, was either not repaired or repaired and simply never worked since then. This is evidenced by the huge heaps of bulky waste that accumulated in this area and in other areas within the OEDA.
Also, in a place within the OEDA, there seems to be illegal storage of huge quantities of untreated bulky waste and compressed waste resulting from the mechanical treatment, in an inappropriate place within the OEDA. In addition to the huge environmental disaster that arises since all the liquid waste generated by the laundering of this waste from the rain ends up in the aquifer, there is a huge risk that another fire will occur in the area of OEDA. Also, the organic press at times does not work due to damage.
