Effective Waste Management Solutions In Engineering

Landfills can be a gateway example of Circularity in action - let me explain! Last week as part of the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy (CFEE)delegation, I had the privilege to visit the Hartland Landfill in British Columbia. Thanks to a comprehensive approach to waste management, including strong EPR policies that emphasize diversion and environmental protection, the Hartland Landfill is projected to last at least 75 years. Whereas Landfills can be a "money maker" in some places, Hartland embodied an "landfilling as a last resort" ethos. The key to their strategy is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and rigorous source separation. Instead of just a hole in the ground, Hartland acts as a hub for dozens of different recycling streams, from electronics to used oil and antifreeze. We even got a unique look at the bottom of the landfill, which is built to last. Here's what I learned, in numbers: 🟢 Nearly half of all materials received at the landfill in 2022 could have been diverted through existing recycling programs. 🟢 The disposal rate for organic waste has decreased since a 2015 organics landfilling ban, now making up 16.7% of landfilled waste, down from 21% in 2016. 🟢 It's cheaper to divert! The price for general refuse is $155 per tonne, while clean wood, which is diverted, is charged at $80 per tonne, creating a financial incentive for proper sorting. 🟢 The facility's recycling programs for tires, oil, and antifreeze boast high diversion rates, with 90% of tire-related fees going to processors and haulers, and 100% of used antifreeze being re-refined and recycled into new products. This multi-pronged approach has two major benefits: 🟡 Methane Capture --> The landfill has a $25MM electricity generating station that captures methane gas produced from decomposing waste. This is crucial because methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and its capture significantly reduces the landfill's carbon footprint. 🟡 Strategic Diversion --> The facility actively diverts a wide range of materials, including wood, asphalt shingles, and organic waste, from the main landfill stream. By making landfill disposal considerably more expensive than dropping off separated recyclable materials, the landfill creates a clear economic incentive for residents and businesses to sort their waste properly. I loved seeing this ethos come from a landfiller: get everything out of the landfill that can be recycled, reused, or converted into energy. As a result, the lifespan of the landfill is extended, while our precious natural resources are conserved and protected. #CircularEconomy #EPR #WasteManagement #Sustainability #HartlandLandfill

“Methane: The Overlooked Climate Threat…and Opportunity” (2/2) 🧗♂️The opportunity Meaningful progress in combatting climate change is frequently hindered by high costs, political hurdles, or immature technologies. Methane stands out as we already have access to commercially proven solutions that can be easily replicated at scale, and quickly bring significant climate benefits. 💡Over 60% of methane emissions are human-induced, with three sectors being the main culprits…and opportunities: ·  Animal farming (31%): Changing livestock diets with supplemental additives can materially reduce methane emissions. ·  Waste (20%): Open dumps, landfills and wastewater are major sources of methane. Proven solutions include landfill and wastewater biogas capture and energy recovery. Similarly, composting, anaerobic digestion, and energy generation from diverted waste not only cut emissions but also deliver co-benefits—cleaner energy, fertilizers, and better public health. ·  Oil & gas (19%): Reducing venting, flaring, and leakage can significantly cut emissions. ♻A trailblazer's sucess: UK managed to reduce methane emissions by 62% during 1990-2021. It is noteworthy that the waste sector accounted for more than half of this reduction. This was accomplished via a combination of measures, inc. development of sanitary landfills, landfill gas-to-energy, and waste diversion. This success calls for replication. 🎯Despite these scalable solutions, methane often takes a back seat to CO2, receiving less than 2% of global climate financing. This needs to change. Current global methane abatement investments stand at $14 billion annually (2021-22), well below the estimated $48 billion needed. 📢Call for action! We need to ramp up policy priorities and partnerships, mobilizing public and private efforts. Under its Circularity Plus and Scaling Re-Water platforms, IFC is partnering with clients and cities to advance sustainable, circular waste and wastewater solutions. For instance, IFC is supporting pioneering projects with clients like Orizon (landfills with biogas use), Sanasa (wastewater) in Brazil, or the Belgrade waste-to-energy plant. 🚨In addition, we are launching a new, focused Methane Emissions Reduction (“Methane ER”) initiative, bringing together data-driven knowledge, partners, and advisory and investment solutions to unlock many more methane reduction opportunities in the waste sector. To be continued... #ifcinfrastructure #climatechange #methane Nuru Lama Milton Pilão Manuelito Magalhaes Junior

Have you ever wondered if there's a more efficient way to handle our waste than the traditional garbage truck system? Many cities worldwide are exploring innovative solutions to modernize waste collection, and one such approach is the MetroTaifun Automatic Waste Collection System. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦? Instead of relying on garbage trucks navigating busy streets, this system uses a network of underground tunnels to transport waste. Here's how it works: - Underground Pipe Network: Waste is deposited into specially designed inlets located throughout the city. These inlets are connected to a system of underground pipes. - Vacuum Technology: At scheduled times, powerful air currents vacuum the waste through the pipes at high speeds, delivering it to a central collection facility. - Eliminating Traditional Trucks: By moving waste underground, the need for conventional garbage trucks is significantly reduced. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦? - Reduces Traffic and Emissions: Fewer garbage trucks mean less traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment. - Cost Effective in the Long Run: While the initial investment is substantial, cities may save on operational costs associated with fuel, vehicle maintenance, and labor over time. - Improved Urban Hygiene: The closed system minimizes odors and prevents pests, enhancing the overall cleanliness of public spaces. - Quieter Neighborhoods: With less noise from garbage collection vehicles, residential areas become more peaceful. As urban areas continue to grow, sustainable and efficient waste management becomes increasingly important. What potential obstacles do you foresee in adopting this technology? How important is it for cities to invest in sustainable infrastructure solutions? #innovation #technology #future #management #startups