MECHANICAL BIOLOGICAL WASTE TREATMENT – THE SOUTH-EAST ASIAN EXPERIENCES

SUMMARY: Pre-treatment prior to landfilling under tropical condition has been implemented on a typical landfill in Central Thailand. The process comprises homogenization and shredding followed by static pile composting. An intensive test phase has been performed being accompa-nied by a comprehensive on-site and off-site research program. The first implementation stages have been evaluated concerning performance of the process, degree of stabilization and future emissions potential. Subsequently the behavior of the treated waste has been tested in lab-scale and semi-scale lysimeters. Additionally the loss of mass and the improved compaction due to the reduced moisture and break down of organic matter has been determined. In order to observe closely the liquid and gaseous emissions of treated waste and compare it with common waste disposal various samples of pre-treated waste have been disposed of in several lysimeters. The supremacy of the waste composition, high moisture and an extreme plastic content as well as the variations of the climatic conditions governs the intended aerobic degradation. Based on the lat-est results it can be shown that under the given boundaries a pre-treatment is an option to mas-sively reduce the emission potential thus encouraging a further implementation in the region. Compared to conventional sanitary landfill the pollution load of leachate can most likely be di