Waste dumped at defunct former 70 tons per week incinerator on Thailand's Koh Samui vacation island is on fire.
Likely cause could be either methane created by the non sorted / treated waste trapped under a non-breathing plastic membrane. Or glass shredds that concentrate the intense sunlight on waste plastic until it starts to burn.
TIP OF THE ICEBERG
Waste fires are spectacular, sure. But the real pollution is less visible: release of global warming gas Methane 21 times more potent than CO2. Leachate polluted with chemical and heavy metals a 1,000 times higher than what is allowed for Thai industry effluents.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Municipal Solid waste needs to be sanitized at site, leachate eliminated, value materials recovered for recycling or be processed to coal grade fuel. These products have high market value and are more than worthy their transport from the island to buyers.
SOLUTION A system doing exactly this is relatively simple, costs much less than You might think and can be operative in locations like Koh Samui within 6 months. Profitability from metal and fuel sales can be as high as 30%.
This technology is now available in Thailand.
Visit: www.wastego.org
Comments