In many countries the Sanitary landfills have been the most popular method of
solid waste disposal. The sanitary landfill will remain its dominant in the solid waste
disposal methods from the next decade due to the rapid development and
modernization.
The present report reviews the general status of recycling and waste
management in Royal commission sanitary landfill Jubail, which including progress
made in achieving the objectives and Development as well as impediments to
sustainable waste management, and priority actions in the field of recycling and
waste management.
OBJECTIVES
Jubail (Arabic: " "الجبيلAl Jubayl), is a city in the Eastern province on the
Persian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia which is 100 kilometers north of the busy
conglomerate of Dammam, Dhahran and Al-Khobar and is joined to them by an
excellent highway. Its full name is Madīnat al Jubail aṣ Ṣinā`īyah (Jubail Industrial
City) has a population of 222,544 (2004 census), up 58% from the 1992 figure of
140,828.
In 1975, along with Yanbu' al Bahr, Jubail was designated as a new industrial
city by the Saudi government, and has seen rapid expansion and industrialization
Now Jubail is a Saudi Arabia’s biggest industrial center, host to more than 160
industrial enterprises and home to almost 170,000 full-time residents. It was
conceived as a model development projects to bring industrial diversification to an oil
rich area. This city consists of a pleasant landscaped living environment
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ROYAL COMMISSION SANITARY LANDFILL
The sanitary landfill in this city plays a vital role in the solid waste
management. A wide range of development in the primary industries as well as
support and service industries and urbanization of this area makes more stress and
importance in solid waste management and recycling.
The Royal commission Sanitary Landfill is located in the Latitude of 27° 2' 49"
N Longitude: 49° 39' 41" East in Abu Hadriya Road. The ample landfill occupies a
wide spacious area of 3,221,846.5 M2. However 2662894.4 M2 space were used for
waste placement. The self-contained site have, security house, scale house, diesel
station, Leachate disposal facility, administrative block, Maintenance workshop,
parking yard and all the required facilities required by EPA.
Royal commission sanitary landfill wastes are classified into two classes Class
II and Class III. The different categories of waste which includes in class II and class
III are municipal waste, non-hazardous waste and inert waste.
Hazardous wastes are treated by National Environmental Protection agency
(BEEA`H)
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SANITARY LANDFILL OPERATIONS
Sanitary landfill is not a "dump" a dump implies simply leaving solid wastes
but a landfill that is "sanitary" is one which protects the surrounding soil, air and
water from pollution from the landfill. This is carried by a number of activities and
techniques. The sanitary landfill operation starts from the activity of the waste
collection vehicles are weighed at a weigh-bridge on arrival and return. Their load is
inspected for wastes that accord with the landfill’s waste acceptance criteria and the
daily incoming waste tonnage can be calculated and listed in databases. Afterwards,
the waste collection vehicles unload their load in the trench called cell in there most
of the recyclable materials are removed by the recyclers and then the wastes are
pressed into the smallest possible area by a steel wheeled compactor. Compacting the
waste by pressing for any air pockets out of the disposed waste, thereby maximizing
the area of the landfill. After compacting a crawling loader covers the waste with
sand. Covering the wastes with sand is important in minimizing the spread of garbage
by a wind and scavenging animals. It also keeps the landfill free from smell, flies
and other pests. At the end of every day all the wastes are completely covered by a
2m of sand. Each subsequent day, new wastes are placed at the toe of the previous
cell. These wastes are emptied further along the cell as the one end of the cell fills
up. Eventually there will be a full layer of cells along the bottom of the cell, known
as the "lift". The sand used for covering the cell should be loamy or silty and are free
from large stones.
Leachate may be defined as the liquid that has percolated through waste and
has extracted dissolved or suspended matters from it. it arises from the biochemical
and physical breakdown of wastes. The leakage of Leachate which contains high
organic and inorganic, suspended solids, heavy metals and other pollutants, which
will contaminate ground water and surface water sources so regular removal of
leachate is an ultimate important process in landfill operation. In royal commission
sanitary landfill now six Leachate extraction chambers are under operational
condition. Leachate disposal facility, neutralization facility and leachate disposal
lagoon facilities are available in RC sanitary landfill.
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ROYAL COMMISSION ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
1.1.1Containers, on-site collection systems, and storage areas for municipal waste
shall be selected and designed to prevent the accumulation of refuse and the creation
of health and fire hazards or nuisance.
1.1.3Containers shall be selected for the specific service intended, and shall be
equipped with tightly fitting lids for all municipal wastes except for those used for
inert, non-blowing wastes. The selected containers shall be reusable and be
constructed of corrosion resistant metal or other material that shall not absorb water,
grease, or oil. The containers shall be leakproof. Lightweight plastic or paper bags
shall not be used as containers.
1.1.5Owners of derelict vehicles shall remove such vehicles from streets, roads, and
vacant properties fourteen (14) days from the time the owner of either the vehicle or
the property where the vehicle is located, have received notification from the Royal
Commission to remove the vehicle.
1.2.1All non-hazardous industrial waste and municipal waste generated within the
Industrial City and not intended for recycle or reuse shall be disposed of at Royal
Commission approved waste disposal facilities located within the Industrial City.
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delivery frequency for such wastes shall, unless otherwise approved by the Royal
Commission, be as follows:
a) Non-hazardous industrial waste Within 180 days
b) Municipal waste - putrescible materials Daily
c) Municipal waste – other Twice per week
d) Sewage sludge, grit, screenings Daily
1.2.10Completed portions of the Class 2 landfill sites shall be finished with final
cover to support vegetation, and vegetation shall be established. Post-closure control
shall include maintenance of fill areas and vegetation to minimize erosion.
1.3.2Operators of facilities that collect and deliver inert waste to the Royal
Commission Sanitary Landfill shall follow the Royal Commission Sanitation
Department procedures before disposal of such materials.
1.3.3Construction debris and demolition waste shall be collected and removed to the
designated solid waste disposal area on a regular basis. These wastes shall not be
allowed to accumulate such that the material presents a safety hazard for workers or
members of the public, or create a nuisance to the community.
1.3.5Inert wastes shall be deposited in a Class 3 Disposal site with, as a minimum the
following characteristics:
1.3.8The site is fenced to prevent small objects from being blown away from the site.
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1.3.11Operating procedures including monitoring, safety and emergency procedures
approved by the Royal Commission are followed.
1.3.14Completed portions of the Class 3 landfill sites shall be finished with final
cover to support vegetation, and vegetation shall be established. Post-closure
control shall include maintenance of fill areas and vegetation to minimize erosion.
1.4.2The waste transportation authorization shall be valid for a period of three (3)
years, at which time it shall be renewed by the submission of revised or new
information in accordance with Section 5.8.1 of these Regulations.
5.9.1 When closing the disposal facility, the operator shall leave the wastes, the
disposal units and equipment in such a manner that they will not pose a future
threat to human health or the environment, soil and structures.
5.9.2 The operator shall have facility closure plan approved by the Royal
Commission. The closure plan shall contain description of process for closing
the facility units, closure start/ completion dates, description of closure
methods and steps to comply with closure standards such as groundwater
monitoring and leachate collection.
5.9.3 The operator must give a timetable 60 days in advance of beginning of facility
closer activities. Within 90 days of beginning closure, all waste on-site shall be
removed or disposed of. Within 180 days of beginning the closure, all closure
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activities must be completed. Further, the owner shall certify that they have
completed closure of the facility as per approved plan.
5.9.4 The disposal facility operator shall implement post closure care plan approved
by the Royal Commission.
5.9.5 After closing the disposal facility, the operator shall be responsible for its
maintenance and monitoring in the post closure care phase for about 30 years
or until the waste is stabilized and poses no further hazard to the environment,
whichever is longer. The activities that shall be performed include:
5.9.6 The disposal facility operator shall demonstrate that they have the financial
resources to pay for both bodily injury and property damage that may result
from waste management and that they are able to properly conduct closure and
post closure activities in a manner that protect human health and the
environment.
5.9.7 The facility may demonstrate through trust fund, surety bond, letter of credit,
insurance or corporate guarantee that fund are available to pay for closure, post
closure and liability requirements.
5.9.8 The facility shall prepare a cost estimate through hiring a third party for
closing the facility and conducting post closure activities for a period of about
30 years. Cost estimate shall reflect the maximum possible cost of the activities
and shall be adjusted for yearly inflation.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
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From the initiation of the kingdom's industrialization and economic development
program there was a commitment for protection and enhancement of the natural
environment. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been increasing its efforts aimed at
protecting the country from various environmental hazards. This was reflected in
several direct and tangible ways: in the extensive environmental assessment studies
related to construction as well as the operation in Jubail industrial city; in the
development and enforcement of strict guidelines and regulation related to domestic
and industrial waste treatment and dispose, recycling and reuse; in environmentally
conscious zoning and building code regulations; and in the development of extensive
environmental monitoring programs and maintenance of sanitary landfill and its
facilities. The Saudi government has intensified its efforts to increase public
awareness and encourage individual and group initiatives to protect the environment.
In May 1999, Saudi Arabia established a national environment committee aiming to
generate more public awareness about the environment. The announcement, by the
Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI), was the first
initiative taken by CSCCI to define Saudi Arabia's environmental strategy for the 21st
century. According to the World Bank, the country will have to invest substantial
capital in the environmental sector in coming years in order to become more
sustainable;
This is clearly shows that the involvement to maintain this environment in eco-
friendly way
HISTORY OF RECYCLING
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RECYCLING IN ORIGIN
Wastes are categorized into groups. All these wastes are put in the appropriate
containers. In order to avoid confusions the containers are identified by different
colors. General container which is for general purpose, Green for paper products,
boxboard and cardboard, Brown for glass wastes, Orange Container for metals ,
Hadeed , Blue is for Plastic.
There have been good efforts and actions taken from Royal commission
sanitation department to recycle the materials in origin but these efforts have been
unsuccessful due to the lack of public awareness, training, and education. So this
effort gave a meaning less results.
RECYCLING IN LANDFILL
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REFUSE AND RECYCLING IN ROYAL COMMISSION SANITARY LANDFILL
XI
Protecting the environment is one of the main reasons for maximizing
recycling. Recycling is a key component of modern waste management so the major
recycling operation in sanitary landfill is started from 1993. The main collected
materials for recycling are Iron, wood, plastic, carton, paper.
2.Paper
The demand for paper continues to increase because of the Paper is one of the
most versatile and important materials used in homes, schools, offices and businesses
throughout the world. In Royal commission sanitary landfill the paper recycling is
started from 1997. Now paper recycling is a most important recycling activity in
sanitary landfill. Separate building is used for this purpose before recycling the
papers are cut into small pieces by a shredder and the papers are stored in a
storehouse then it is transported to paper industry for further processing.
In royal commission sanitary landfill the recycling of paper is under the range of
0.01 to 0.5.
0.06
PERCENTAGE
0.05
0.04
0.03 Series1
0.02
0.01
0
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
YEAR
Iron
0.35
PERCENTAGE
0.3
0.25
0.2
Series1
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
YEAR
Wood
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Wood recycling still has a positive environmental impact. Wood recycling ensures
that the waste does not end up in landfill. Household waste wood is usually in the
form of furniture. Business waste, etc., The reuse of wood should be the first option
as this uses the least energy. If wood can’t be reused in some way, wood recycling
can make the waste into a variety of products such as mulch, pet bedding, equestrian
surfacing, chipboard or fuel. Wood recycling means that virgin wood is not required
which uses more energy and water, less renewable resources than the wood itself.
The major recycling of wood is done during the year 1997,1998, 2000 and 2001. The
total average of wood recycling is minimum 0.06 and max.0.3 %
0.35
0.3
percentage
0.25
0.2
recycling rate of wood
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
yearly
PLASTIC
Plastic Recycling programs in Royal commission sanitary landfill were started a year
before United States in 1994. Now it is common in elsewhere.
There are about 50 different groups of plastics, with hundreds of different varieties.
All types of plastic are recyclable. To make sorting is not easier it is a very tough job
so that the recyclers are not concentrating more in recycling of plastics. The average
recycling in plastic is from 0.1 to 0.5 which is very less compare to the total plastic
dumped in landfill but now they concentrate more plastic recycling so the collection
for recycling plastic is considerably improved. But compare to total average it is
very less.
0.4
PERCENTAGE
0.35
0.3
0.25
0.2 Series1
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
YEAR
CARTON
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Carton is the name of certain types of containers typically made from paperboard
which is also sometimes known as "cardboard". Many types of cartons are used in
packaging.
The carton recycling rate is less compare to last seven years. Cartons account for
about 2 per cent of packaging waste produced. But the recycling rates have been
typically lower. But in 2007 a slight improvement was observed in carton recycling.
0.3
PERCENTAGE
0.25
0.2
0.15 Series1
0.1
0.05
0
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
YEAR
In reviewing of the total recycling rate reports the following trends were observed.
(SRM= supplemental recyclable materials such as wood, construction and demolition waste debris materials)
CONCLUSION
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RC sanitary landfill has proven their commitment to keeping disposal and
protecting the environment by achieving a recycling rate in a good level for the past
fifteen years, recycling percentage reports shows that considerable improvements in
certain area. Emphasis will be given to several recycling fields. Truly it is an
awesome achievement because of this limited facilities and more recycling was done
in past years.
Compost technology is a good method which should be helpful to avoid a lot of
waste to send to landfills when it could become useful and environmentally beneficial
compost. Composting offers the obvious benefits of resource efficiency and creating
a useful product from organic waste that would otherwise have been land filled.
Mercury containing devices be kept from the waste stream and recycled. These
materials include but are not limited to; fluorescent lamps, thermostats, mercury
thermometers, and temperature control devices found mainly in gas stoves. Also
cathode ray tubes, i.e. televisions and computer monitors, have been passed requiring
the separation of these items for recycling.
Tires are among the largest and most problematic sources of waste, many new
markets have been created for scrap tires. Growing markets exist for a majority of
scrap tires produced every year, Tires are also often recycled for use on basketball
courts and new shoe products. Steps may be taken to recycle the waste tires.
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