Paper 04 1983 An Assessment Of Waste Disposal Options For The 1980s

The Journal of the Royal Society for the
Promotion of Health
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An assessment of waste disposal options for the 1980s
A.E. Higginson
The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 1983; 103; 16
DOI: 10.1177/146642408310300106

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16

An assessment of waste disposal options for
the 1980s
A. E. HIGGINSON, M.B.E., F.Inst.S.W.M., F.C.I.T., M.I.Env.Sc.
Solid Wastes Management and Environmental Services
Consultant —

1. PREAMBLE fanned by banner headlines stressing acute dangers of
hazardous wastes, yet 90% of toxic wastes transported
1.1 There is always a starting point in any research or
around the country are no more dangerous than petrol
investigative work attributed to waste materials which
conveyance and delivery.
concentrates on technical feasibility of waste derived
2.3 Any alleged detriment to the environment must be
fuel, mechanical sorting processes, the market accepta-
identified and this is better demonstrated if the pollut-
bility of the recycled materials, more cost effective
ants have already been established and proper controls
methods or methane production be it from domestic,
mechanisms installed to cut off emissions, noise, dust,
industrial or commercial wastes.
odours or safety hazards.
1.2 Any consideration for future waste disposal
2.4 An analysis of waste disposal services indicate that
options ranging over the next decade must evaluate
they divide into separate aspects, each in themselves of
these research studies that may suggest a new approach
a complex nature because of the heterogeneous com-
to perhaps a well tried and proven method such as
position of the solid, semi-solid and liquid components
landfill operations and the novel extraction of methane
that make up the total involvement.
for commercial purposes.
2.5 To identify the impact of wastes upon the envi-
1.3 Looking back over recent years has seen research
ronment requires a check list of possible and known
by industrial companies, plant and equipment manufac-
sources of pollution during transportation to a central
turers, universities and a broad band of subjects spon-
facility site, increased traffic flow to the place of deposit
sored or supported by the D.O.E. such as the £2m.
causing possible nuisance from noise, fumes, visual
Co-operative Programme Research on the ’Behaviour
intrusion or accident risks. Poor storage arrangements
of Wastes in Landfill’.~ There has also been a com-
at transfer stations, incinerators or treatment plants can
mendable fund of knowledge gleaned by some 23
Waste Management Papers on the management of attract flies and vermin. In landfill, leachate generation
wastes published by the D.O.E. These have prescribed from decomposing wastes containing high concentra-
guidelines for surveys, formulating a plan, Codes of tions of organic matter can cause environmental dam-
Practice, treatment of difficult wastes, resource recov- age, these are some effects that may develop in provid-
ery, with helpful statistics on arisings from different ing services.
2.6 The whole philosophy of landfill as a waste dis-
sources.
1.4 With this background of latest knowledge waste posal option depends upon chemical, physical and
disposal options can be assessed in the light of tech- biological changes to reduce wastes to gas, water,
nological developments, environmental impacts of humus and inert materials but every stage of the
to
and process must be controlled to prevent pollution
waste as resource
an source recovery.
energy
water, air or soil.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSIS
3. THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK AFFECTING
2.1 It is fundamental that before any waste disposal
DISPOSAL OPTIONS
option is considered its environmental impact is asses-
sed affecting local residents to where the facility is 3.1 The Control of Pollution Act 1974 is the major
being contemplated or the general public if aerial legal framework although still not yet fully
nuisance is a likely pollutant with fall-out over a larger implemented. It provides for a licensing system, power
area. The provision of waste management services has to collect industrial waste, specifies criminal offences
direct links with environmental matters and public and penalties, details arrangements for especially toxic,
concern is of greater importance than planning the hazardous and difficult wastes and emphasises conver-
necessary facilities for treatment and disposal of wastes sion of waste for recycling and reclamation purposes.
if the proposed schemes are not be put in jeopardy. Some discretionary powers are left under the Public
2.2 The House of Lords Select Committee Report on Health Act 1936 relating to collection and disposal of
Hazardous Waste Disposa 12 make this factor quite clear domestic and trade refuse but the main thrust of
in their conclusion &dquo;Public hostility to hazardous waste legislative powers are in the C.O.P Act 1974.
,disposal facilities is common and is too important to be 3.2 Of recent years the impact of Health and Safety at
ignored&dquo;. It can be further exacerbated if the disposal Work Act 1974 requires careful interpretation as dis-
facilities are not for local wastes but for ’somebody posal of waste must be carried out without risk to
else’s rubbish’. Professional officers may sometimes be employees or to the public.
unaware of emotions expressed by some people for fear 3.3 With leachate generation from wastes in landfill
of the unknown. Public hostility is often exaggerated sites being more strictly monitored the provisions of the


17
Water Act 1973 must be closely observed to prevent TABLE 1
Quantities of Controlled Waste
pollution of ground and surface waters.
3.4 The Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 places a
duty upon W.D.A.s to provide a facility at which
refuse, other than trade or business waste may be
deposited free of charge by the general public. In view
of the enormous increase in this type of waste (20% by
weight of all domestic waste in the G.L.C. area) the TABLE 2
importance of this feature in planning waste disposal is of Treatment and Disposal
Methods
fundamental.

4. RESTRAINTS IN PLANNING WASTE
DISPOSAL
4.1 No disposal system can be developed unless it
satisfies the requirements of legislation under the Town
and Country Planning Act 1971 and the site licensing
conditions that apply under Sect 5 C.O.P. Act 1974. It
Total of Methods 1
Disposal 28,986
27,551
is pertinent to note that &dquo;conditions attached to plan-
ning permissions should only have regard to matters TABLE 3
relating to the use and appearance of land in the Methods of Treatment and Disposal
Costs per Tonne
-Comparative
planning context for waste treatment and disposal r&dquo;’-_6.
A -- ---

purposes, e.g. considerations of visual amenity, access,
tree planting and preservation and landscaping gener-
ally ; the site licence on the other hand will relate to the
) proper conduct of operations and day-to-day manage-
ment of the site and plant, together with the protection
of water, the environment and public health generally&dquo;.
Quoting D.O.E. Circular 55/76 Para 43.
4.2 The site licence conditions apply only for the Accountancy Annual Statistics
Source : The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and -

Controlled Wastes England and Wales.
duration of the licence. &dquo;It will not therefore be poss-
ible for licence conditions to provide for continued
There is a discrepancy in the totals showing quan-
access and maintenance of bore-holes, leachate treat-
tities and methods of disposal, this is due to double
ment systems, etc., nor for the restitution of the site
counting as waste is exported from one W.D.A. to
after the licence has been cancelled or revoked. Condi-
another and may appear under both but the overall
tions attached to planning permission may therefore be
effect is slight. Also within the average costs shown for
appropriate when it is desirable to ensure that controls each method there are wide variations due to compar-
apply after the expiry of a licence&dquo;. Quoting D.O.E.
ing metropolitan counties, G.L.C. and the Welsh dis-
Circular 55/76 Para 44.
tricts all who have special local circumstances affecting
4.3 There are a number of consultations required
choice of methods and the manner in which the services
under the T. & C.P. General Development Order 1977
are carried out.
before planning permission is granted, these refer to
5.3 Under Sect 2 C.O.P. Act 1974 a duty was placed
such bodies as neighbouring district planning, neigh-
upon W.D.A.s to prepare a Waste Disposal Plan and
bouring county planning, water and highway although it was implemented lst July 1978 a comple-
authorities. Similar consultations are required by the
tion date was not mentioned. However most authorities
W.D.A. under the C.O.P. Act 1974 that prior to the
have been carrying out a survey on the sources and
issuing of a licence to refer the proposals to the water arisings from household, commercial and industrial
authority, the appropriate collection bodies for and
authority wastes, what quantities are brought into their areas and
) under the
Sect 6 prescribes the following
exported. This was fundamental in discharging their
purpose of Sect 5 and 11, the Health and Safety
responsibilities to see what arrangements were neces-
Executive and in cases of applications relating to pro-
sary for the controlled waste arising from both the
posals to deposit controlled waste in certain geological public and private sectors to ensure that the means of
formations the Institute of Geological Sciences.
disposal were adequate. Valuable advice on how to
4.4 It is with the foregoing restraints firmly in mind
conduct a survey and prepare the Plan were given by
that waste disposal options can be planned. The need
the D.O.E.’s Waste Management Paper No. 2. Not only
for strategically placed sites is overwhelming but disap-
were waste arisings considered but the provision of
pointment will be constant in trying to secure what disposal facilities with a forward look to estimate trends
appears as the most desirous, economic, accessible site for the following ten years.
and be subject to long and often acrimonious discus-
5.4 From the foregoing statistical evidence landfill of
sions that ultimately abort the proposals. Yet waste is
untreated wastes is the predominant method and offers
continually produced and outlets must be assured lead- the lowest cost. But when considering future landfill a
ing to extensive planning enquiries. number of constraints of recent origin i.e. Site Licens-
ing and a Code of Practice imposes additional expendi-
5. QUANTITIES AND COSTS ture that causes other methods to be re-assessed for
economic reasons and future strategies.
5.1 Before examining all the options available a gen-
eral study of quantities of waste produced and the
6. PRACTICAL AND FINANCIAL
existing methods of disposal with appropriate costs is a ,

CONSIDERATIONS
good starting point for evaluation.
5.2 To help give a balanced view national statistics are 6.1 Although Sect 1 C.O.P. Act 1974 is not yet
a useful guide :-
implemented there is growing pressure among W.D.A.s


18
for the Government to bring it into force without delay. relatively low cost against other methods. It also has
The pressure has been re-inforced by the House of another advantage in that whatever other option is
Lords Select Committee on Hazardous Waste Disposal selected a substantial tonneage of residues must be
who in the Summary of Conclusions and Recommenda- landfilled. When properly carried out if fulfills three
tions in Para 185.31 (2) stated &dquo;Positive planning of important functions, it is environmentally acceptable, it
hazardous waste disposal facilities by W.D.A.s is reclaims useless or derelict land, it can create new land
needed. Therefore Sect 1 C.O.P. Act 1974 should be forms by architectural landscaping and add to the
brought into force and the plans under Sect 2 of that amenity and visual attractiveness of the area.
Act should be expedited&dquo;. In reaching that conclusion 8.2 Why then is planning consent often resisted for
the Noble Lords had considered a considerable volume what appears to be a suitable site. The answer is poor
of evidence from wide ranging interests indicating that operational control in the past causing untidy condi-
any future planning of disposal facilities for all kinds of tions and public resistance.
controlled wastes depended upon the legislative back- 8.3 Fortunately site licensing and a Code of Practice
up for the completeness of the C.O.P. Act so that for landfill now exists and the whole concept of site
adequate arrangements are made for the disposal of all restoration by the use of waste as the principal infill
controlled waste especially as it might need some form material is recognised by planning authorities providing
of regional planning. The difficulties of implementation it is carried out to the highest standards involving
were emphasised but the Selection Committee recom-
capital works and strict operational control.
mended to W.D.A.s to give special attention in plan- 8.4 There appears to be a misconception in many
(a) public opinion, (b) growing
ning disposal
waste to
quarters that void space for landfill is running out but
scientific knowledge and (c) specialist facilities. national production figures from the minerals extrac-
6.2 The growing scientific knowledge referred to the tive industry indicate not only a present substantial
research projects carried out and still in train giving a surplus but the extraction rate exceeds the infilling rate.
wider understanding of the physical, chemical and These calculations emphasise sufficient void space is
biochemical reactions taking place in mass waste dis- available for the next thirty years.
posal. This knowledge is of more recent origin, for 8.5 It may be that a recommendation of the House of
which great credit is due to the D.O.E. as it enables Lords Select Committee that &dquo;waste disposal
W.D.A.s to plan with more certainty with guidelines to authorities should be formally grouped in Waste Dis-
support intended strategies. There are still areas to be posal Regions to co-ordinate waste disposal plans and
further investigated such as leaching in various geologi- the provision of facilities and to provide scientific
cal strata, breakdown of organic compounds, incinera- services&dquo; has much to commend its adoption as waste
tion of certain wastes and combustion conditions, long arisings and disposal sites often do not correspond.
term stability of encapsulated wastes, health and safety Some of the metropolitan counties are desperately
hazards. Where areas of doubt exist the use of specialist short of potential landfill space while their shire neigh-
facilities at greater cost must be accepted to protect the bours do not have the problems of substantial waste
public rather than a low cost but unsuitable disposal arisings from densely populated and high industrialised
option. In turn the public must support any higher costs areas. There is also the site geology and hydrogeology
incurred to prevent nuisance or environmental degra- that may restrict sites to emphasise that waste disposal
dation in providing the ’best practicable means’. is better planned on a regional basis so that the criteria
6.3 The criteria that must be applied to all disposal on the merits and disadvantages of sites is properly
options is public acceptability, that it meets environ- applied for permanent safety of groundwater quality.
mental standards, is reliable and is economically jus- 8.6 To persuade the public that landfilling of untreated
tified. This may rule out desirable methods involving wastes is environmentally acceptable will demand the
intensive materials re-use or recovery. Many decisions
highest standards of performance which requires the
will emerge when the full financial implications of services of a wide band of skilled professional
capital and future operating costs are assessed with engineers, civil and mechanical engineers, geologists,
anticipated incomes. water and chemical and plant engineers all working
together to use the best practicable means to restore
7. WASTE DISPOSAL OPTIONS derelict sites into permanently safe, attractive land-
forms by the use of waste as a resource material.
7.1 Although many variations exist due to composite
8.7Extensive research into leachate generation and
plants being introduced the choice of methods for
disposal fall into five distinct categories: (a) Landfill of gas evolution has also pinpointed the awareness that
untreated wastes; (b) Landfill with shredded or baled must be shown into these two problems of landfill when
site planning takes place. The programme of research
waste; (c) Incineration either direct, with heat recovery
into the behaviour of wastes in landfill tried to set down
or with some reclamation of constituents or with a
guidelines for the selection of sites based upon the
combination of all three systems; (d) Composting; (e)
classification of wastes and their pollution risks but
Resource Recovery Plant.
7.2 Although five methods of treatment have been found that classification of the type of site is safer than
outlined there is no single system that might apply to all categorising wastes so that quantities, solubility, con-
W.D.A.s owing to local circumstances e.g. the G.L.C. centration and other factors can be taken into consider-
has insufficient landfill sites to meet its needs and ation to balance the interests of the water authorities
combines incineration with heat recovery, distant dis- and waste disposal. It is with greater certainty now that
posal to landfill by road and rail transfer stations and a site evaluation,
properly conducted, to include hyd-
because of its unique situation places a considerable rogeological and geological characteristics and assessed
tonnage in barges via the River Thames to estuarial to be safe can be declared of its suitability to receive
specified wastes. If hazardous wastes are to be included
marshes for land reclamation.
searching evaluation is necessary to determine
a more
8. LANDFILL OF UNTREATED WASTES permeability, and porosity, apart from the toxicity
8.1 One of the principal reasons for at least 90% of assessment and the behaviour by interaction between
waste handled by W.D.A.s going to landfill is the wastes.


19
8.8 Methane generation from anaerobic decomposi- rate of while the intrusion of air is
production kept at a
tion of wastes has been known for many years but the minimum&dquo;.
changing characteristics of modern refuse with higher 8.14 The current research work in the U.K. is the
concentrations of cellulosic materials has focussed investigation of landfill techniques plus methane gener-
attention on gas evolution that has significance and ation and control. This means that the future for landfill
could be dangerous in certain circumstances or utilised of untreated wastes may have increased importance as
pollution aspects and hazards from gas evolution are
as an energy source.
8.9 The generation of landfill gases from decomposing overcome by engineering practices and the harnessing
wastes is a distinct pollution hazard not yet fully of the wastes commercial energy becomes
source
as a a
investigated or assessed although research work is reality.
continuing in many countries. The gases produced are
9. LANDFILL WITH TREATED WASTES
carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen,
hydrogen sulphide although the principal constituents 9.1 Under this category falls shredded, pulverised and
are carbon dioxide and methane. These gases vary in baled waste placed into landfill sites. Pulverisation is
proportions due to the input waste, moisture content, conducted by high energy consuming hammer mills
depth of fill and density and have shown a methane mounted on horizontal or vertical shafts or disc shred-
percentage ranging from below 40 per cent of the total ders which cut and shred the wastes by guillotine
gas evolution to over 60 per cent. The high concentra- action. Both methods have substantial reject materials
tion of methane gases from a G.L.C. landfill site which cannot be processed and with the growth of
obtained from the average of a six month period
bulky waste the problems are exacerbated. This has
collated in 1979 is shown in the following table :- caused interest in ’wet’ pulverisation using the revolv-
ing Dano type drum which succeeds in breaking down
the fibrous materials by the addition of moisture and by
continuous agitation into fine and coarse products. A
major advantage of the finished product is its potential
use not only for land reclamation but also as a land-
scape construction material.
can be dangerous in concentrations if
These gases
9.2 Baling of waste has slowly evolved as a means of
buildings as they migrate and travel consider-
to
near
improvement to visual and amenity standards in land-
able distances depending upon the permeability of the
fill. Initially it requires less space, has slower bacterial
soil formation around the landfill site. They can also
decomposition and is neater in handling. The bales can
affect the water quality by degradation as they diffuse
be self sustaining or restrained by wire ties with
in different directions to be dissolved when in contact
densities of 53/55 lb/3 achieved but unless the bales are
with ground water.
properly handled, unloaded without breakage, nudged
8.10 The danger of methane forming an explosive risk
together to prevent large vertical voids, in-place density
when in concentration of 5-15 per cent in air has
will suffer as a consequence.
resulted in personal injury and structural damage when
9.3 Treatment of wastes it is claimed is less attractive
ignition took place. Case histories have been to insect pests, vermin, birds and is environmentally
documented of how these events happened but was due
more acceptable, better payloads from transfer stations
to migration of methane from the proximity of landfill
can be achieved and with baled waste conventional
sites. Vegetation has also been affected by methane,
transport only is necessary.
trees, shrubs and root crops have either failed or been
9.4 Pulverisation is usually required in processing wdf
inhibited in growth due to oxygen depletion caused by
but for landfill purposes only reference to the differ-
methane attack around the roots.
ences in disposal costs (Table 3) reveals a high pre-
8.11 Having outlined the pollutant and other hazards
mium must be paid.
that may obtain by landfill the situation can be control-
led by good engineering practice. A venting system
10. INCINERATION
comprising of excavated trenches of sufficient depth
width around the perimeter of the site between the
nd 10.1 Municipal incineration of waste with some form
~andfill of heat recovery has been practiced for over 80 years.
and virgin ground and filled with aggregate will
There was a time when separation of salvageable
allow the gases to disperse to the atmosphere freely. In
materials prior to incineration was in vogue particularly
addition a gas flare system can be installed and the
during the 1920-40 period. However immediate post-
gases harmlessly burned. If methane production in
changing
landfill is to be encouraged as a commercial energy characteristics of wastes, high standards
war
introduced under Clean Air Acts, labour difficulties,
source then a more refined and engineered system is
improvements in carrying capacities of vehicles for
required.
transfer operations, increased costs, lower income, all
obtained from Mountain
8.12 Interesting results were
tended to set in a decline. A revival in the early 1960s
View, California, Landfill Site where methane recovery
resulted in a new generation of direct incineration
demonstrated as a commercial proposition for
was
plants some with heat recovery, others without. It
energy purposes. What has emerged from this large
involved high capital investment, maintenance and
project is atmospheric interference is inversely propor-
operating costs but militating against the advantages of
tional to abstraction well depth, that an optimum
good volume reduction was the availability factor so
withdrawal rate can be determined, any higher rate
that an alternative means of disposal was necessary in
attempted means a less concentration of methane and
emergencies. A study of incineration costs has shown a
nitrogen increase.
very sharp increase over landfill costs which has thrown
8.13 Further research work is continuing using a radial
into jeopardy further construction of plants.
flow model which measures landfill’s production and
10.2 Manufacturers have recognised these disturbing
pressure changes caused by the withdrawal of gas can
features and are trying to design plants that engineer
be calculated, the landfill’s production rate and gas flow
permeability. &dquo;The optimum recovery of methane is out problem areas to give a high availability factor. The
present concept is flexibility to handle difficult wastes,
achieved when the rate of withdrawal approaches the


20
matched by appropriate grate designs, ability to with- 12.2 In recovery the encourage-
evaluating resource
stand thermal shocks, abrasiveness, satisfactory burn- ment at source by public participation for metals, glass
out, acceptable chimney emissions, good controls, and waste oil at civic amenity sites can be carried out at
easier maintenance, high availability. The design fea- minimum cost and risk but with maximum national
tures tend to favour three shift operation and incorpo- benefit. The voluntary route is limited but to carry out
rate automatic controls to reduce expensive manning resource recovery from the vast tonnage of municipal
levels. waste discarded needs expensive capital investment.
10.3 With the realisation that domestic refuse has a The two demonstration plants sponsored by the D.O.E.
c.v. approximating to one-third of good coal heat in association with W.D.A.s at Byker and Doncaster
recovery as a permanent feature in a developing energy have been operating for up to two years but experi-
crisis situation is proposed as a future option. enced difficulties requiring modifications to handling
10.4 It is difficult to reconcile European experience of systems. Even with income deducted from the sale of
waste incineration with heat recovery with that of the wdf and other constituents the operational cost remains
U.K. However the following table is significant :- high. Both plants are fairly costly to construct so that
marketability of products is fundamental before initiat-
Western
from Refuse Europe (3)
Energy Recovery In
ing resource recovery as a disposal option which still
requires a substantial landfill requirement for rejects
and residues. Plastics are still not marketable as recy-
cled materials owing to mixed grades being incompat-
ible for re-use, they must be clean and free from all
contraries, a condition not likely to be met after being
thoroughly mixed and contaminated from collection to
disposal point. Their main benefit is in wdf owing to
their low ash content and high c.v. characteristics.
10.5 The success of heat recovery schemes depends 12.3 Experience of resource recovery plants around
developing4
upon the acceptance of an industrial user in immediate the world have shown the problems of
proximity to a permanent supply or a steam facility for mechanical plant and equipment to deal with a difficult
district heating, factors not easily matched. Some exist- heterogeneous material like waste. Even now the prob-
ing direct incineration plants with no heat utilisation lems have engendered ’second generation plants’ in
are being investigated with a view to installing waste which original problems are hopefully eliminated.
heat recovery boilers and using the hot gases to a 12.4 The choice of a complete plant is full of complex-
nearby heat requirement. Calculations of installation ities owing to future market uncertainty. With alterna-
costs of boiler and ancillary equipment, running costs tive sources of energy taxing the Government’s mind
and likely income for heat supplied give very favour- the brightest aspect in resource recovery is wdf as a
able conditions especially if inflation continues and future complementary fuel with coal.
energy costs rise accordingly. 12.5 However, landfill of untreated wastes properly
10.6 Incineration of waste with heat recovery in engineered can extract energy in the form of methane
favourable circumstances will have to be evaluated as a gas and this option must be considered as a possible
future disposal option to exploit energy shortages, source.
accelerating costs and utilisation of constituents e.g.
metals. 13. HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL
13.1 Although much public apprehension has been
11. COMPOSTING
shown in the past to hazardous waste disposal the
11.1Many mechanical systems for producing compost House of Lords Select Committee after examining a
from crude wastes have been developed but not suc- considerable volume of evidence concluded that the
ceeded in the U.K. because of farmers reluctance to Country must come to terms with the hazards of waste
purchase the products. Also the heavy metal content of disposal. They accepted that commendable effort had
domestic refuse may inhibit plant growth or cause
to,
been directed to controlling its passage from ’cradle
controls4
uptake in certain vegetable or root crops. There is of the grave’ but made reservations for stricter
course the problem of reject materials which may and higher standards to be introduced. This would give
contain 6 per cent plastics, 10 per cent metals, 10 per the public more confidence in positive protection of the
cent glassware, and 3 per cent textiles by weight and are environment in which they have their being and wish to
undesirable in compost preparation. preserve its wholesomeness for posterity.
11.2 The crude wastes can be blended with additions 13.2 In the past industrial waste disposal including
of sewage sludge but adverse marketing conditions in hazardous materials have been handled mainly by the
the U.K. has caused this disposal option to decline. private sector, this is recognised, but for the future joint
Again installation and operating costs are high and with facilities are recommended so that co-disposal of
a lack of purchasers it becomes disposal by landfill a domestic refuse is utilised with many liquid wastes
more expensive method in comparison with direct
accepted subject to all possible safeguards relating to
landfill of untreated wastes. site selection and fitting the correct climatic, geological
and hydrogeological conditions.
12. RESOURCE RECOVERY PLANTS 13.3 The proper disposal route must always follow the
best practicable option not necessarily the cheapest and
12.1 The recovery of useful constituents from waste
&dquo;sensible landfill is realistic and an ultra-cautious
has been promoted for many years unfortunately indus-
approach to landfill of hazardous and other types of
trial depression and lack of markets for products has
waste is unjustified&dquo;.
caused a serious decline. Although W.D.A.s are
13.4 A number of additional restraints may be
required to consider reclamation and re-use of wastes
required to identify more clearly the nature of the
under the C.O.P. Act 1974 unless stable markets exist
wastes produced so that better in-house treatment or
offering reasonable prices it is not justified economi-
re-use or reclamation of materials may be prescribed or
disposal option.
cally as a
continued page 24
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Paper 04 1983 An Assessment Of Waste Disposal Options For The 1980s

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Paper 04 1983 An Assessment Of Waste Disposal Options For The 1980s