The Beetham Solid Waste Landfill, Trinidad & Tobago

COSTAATT FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

REPORT: THE BEETHAM SOLID WASTE LANDFILL

COURSE NAME: SOLID WASTE MANAGMENT

NAME: GENIEVE VALENTINE-00022714

LECTURER: VENESSA ELLIOT

DUE DATE: 21/04/10
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….3 Report on The Beetham Solid Waste Landfill……………………………………………………………………..........6  Waste management practices  Land filling methods  Location suitability  Equipment  Reason for the recommended closure of The Beetham Solid Waste Landfill Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….9 Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10 References………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………..11

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INTRODUCTION
Being in existence for over thirty years and with a size of sixty-one hectares (0.61 km), The Beetham Solid Waste Landfill, is the largest disposal site, in the country of Trinidad and Tobago. Due to poor maintenance, SWMCOL was given full managerial duties, in April, 1983, of this landfill, as a means of ensuring that public health and nearby wildlife habitats were protected. The Beetham Landfill receives an estimation of 738 tonnes of waste or about 1500 trucks of waste per day. Bottle recovery (glass bottles are sorted and sent to The Caribbean Glass co.) and the stabilization of a faecal pond system are also practised at this landfill. (The household faecal collection system is a 3-step process of filtration and the end result goes back into the neighbouring mangrove) Its daily intake of wastes comprises of both domestic and commercial wastes. The table below illustrates the average percentage ratio of the amount of each waste component.

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TABLE SHOWING THE WASTE COMPONENTS COLLECTED AT THE BEETHAM SOLID WASTE LANDFILL WASTE MATERIAL ORGANICS PAPER GLASS METALS PLASTICS TEXTILES RUBBER & LEATHER OTHER 0.2 PERCENTAGE, % 26.7 19.7 10.5 10.4 19.9 7.3 5.3

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REPORT
This area was basically moulded through the practise of implementing the trench method. Initially this landfill was the height of the highway but now, it is about 3-4 feet high in some areas. Attempts to make the establishment more widespread were to be achieved. However, there was a threat to the nearby mangrove habitat, so the only plausible option was to move upwards. When the trucks came to discharge their wastes, workers were present to aid in removing it from the truck and starting the sorting process. At this site, the typical types of solid waste disposal equipment were used. These include tractors, compactors, trash trailers, hoist trucks and tilt-frame trucks. During the rainy season, some trucks have difficulty in manoeuvring throughout the site. Sometimes the tractors are used to push the vehicles out.

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DIAGRAM SHOWING THE TYPES OF EQUIPTMENT USED

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It has been argued that the landfill is not in a suitable location because it poses as an environmental threat. Not only is it located on the outskirts of the capital city, it also banks on a wetland environment located at the back of it. Another reason or proposed recommendation that indicated that the site ought to be closed was that the landfill had exhausted its maximum storage space. It is known that landfill gases (such as methane, carbon dioxide, etc.) are given off or emitted during the decomposition of organic wastes, anaerobically. On account of this and its location in relation to the nearby villages and the highway, was another pending reason for this landfill to be closed. This is because it increased air pollution and also due to wind direction and speed, these air pollutants can also be transported and discharged in the capital city and other closedranged environs; thus increasing the threat to public health. If or when closure is obtained at this landfill, waste management in the catchment area, (neighbouring areas, which include Chagaramus to Curepe and some areas of south Chaguanas) would be put on a strain; resulting in the exhaustion of the other dumping sites. In order to maintain waste collection and disposal practises, a substitute site or area should be provided to avoid waste clutter in businesses or other areas.

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CONCLUSION
The establishing of The Beetham Solid Waste Landfill was a proactive initiative. It guided the public and other public businesses in abiding by certain environmental laws when it dealt with environmental etiquette. (Keeping the environment clean) However, the up-keeping of this “urban centre” entails more than just a responsibility. Though The Beetham Solid Waste Landfill serves its main purpose (which the collection, sorting and recycling of solid waste) the adverse effects on both human and animal life must also be considered.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
In order for any workplace or establishment to have a proper working system, there must be infrastructure:  All workers must wear the proper health and safety gear at all times when on the job site.  If they fail to comply, then they ought to be reprimanded accordingly.

It was mentioned that a plastic bottom liner “may” have been utilized at the initiation of the landfill. Insomuch that, if it were to be false, then the likelihood of underground water pollution would increase. So if/when this site is to be closed, it si recommended that its alternate solid waste collection site:   Must have a bottom liner (plastic liner much more suitable) Its location in relation to the public and the wildlife environment should be another priority.

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REFERENCES
 http://www.swmcol.co.tt/documents/Beetham-DOC060912.pdf

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http://www.swmcol.co.tt/documents/Landfills.htm

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http://cso.gov.tt/files/cms/Chapter%2014.pdf

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