End of traditional landfill operation announced

Sydney recycler WSN Environmental Solutions will cease landfilling household waste at the WSN Macarthur Resource Recovery Park in July, signalling the start of a new era in waste management.

The end of traditional landfill operation coincides with the start of commissioning of the company’s new alternative waste technology (AWT) facility, which is designed to divert 70% of household waste from landfill when fully operational.

The last trucks carrying household waste to be landfilled will roll in to the Macarthur site on Sunday 6 July 2008, with the landfill to be closed, sealed and rehabilitated. There will continue to be landfilling of small volumes of dry waste and residue from the new AWT facility.

WSN Environmental Solutions CEO Ken Kanofski said the end of traditional landfill operation and the commissioning of the new facility is great news for the local community, with odours expected to drop significantly.

Kanofski also said the facility will help the four councils in the Macarthur region — Campbelltown, Camden, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee — to reduce their carbon footprint.

“The new AWT facility will treat the councils’ waste locally, minimising the costs and environmental impacts of transport,” Kanofski said.

“The facility will process all streams of waste in one fully integrated facility, and extract the highest resource value possible. Only recovered products like plastic, metal, glass and compost will leave the site.”

The alternative waste technology (AWT) facility at WSN Macarthur Resource Recovery Park will start commissioning in July 2008. The plant will go through a nine-month commissioning period and is expected to be fully operational in March 2009.