We enable the Contractor, Client etc to establish at the installation stage or completion  to identify status, therfore allocation of budgets for ongoing maintenance or defect period claims can be simplified.

The Scottish Government have a £150 million budget - over 3 years-for the Zero Waste Fund - which allocates £2.5 M of this for community recycling projects - That equates to £10 per resident per year!!  This may provide the facility to sort, collect and recycle waste but it will not over the next 3 years provide facilities to deal with the waste that has been reduced.  Zero waste growth is an ambitious target and new technologies will be required.  Landfills will not cease to exist they are part of the statistics and funding. For example The Netherlands have reduced landfill to 14% and recycle or compost 46% with the remainder of their waste being incinerated.  Other figures suggest that based upon countries such as The Netherlands  the UK need to invest £1 billion per annum!!  - this is equivalent to £20 per residentper annum.  Money is required not more targets!!

Leading on from who pays - we also remain involved with Consultants on the efficacy of design measures relating to longer term maintenance requirements.  However pipe diameters still create the same issue - too big - lots of maintenance; - too small - creates challenges if blocked. And who pays - the Client!!Recently we have been asked to comment again on requirements for basal drainage and how effective our equipment will be.  As always we identify the main areas of concern and demonstrate how we would complete works.  It appears that the EA would like to CCTV and jet every element of vertical, horizontal and side slope riser on a site.  The question again is why? - the capability of our machines and the adaptions we have made have ensured that depths and distances rarely prove us a problem.   However leak detection systems , greatly improved blanket drainage and gradients as well as the suitability of the fluff layer all provide greater flow at the base of a landfill.  What is required is research on the breakdown of the new waste streams anticipated and what gas production will be created. Infinis is one of the UK's leading renewable energy providers - who have expanded to include large scale renewable enrgy from wind. Landfills are not likely to be producing the same ratios of gas with the changes in waste streams. Changes will be required with design and afteruse of landfills -materials that could be used to enhance drainage without using valuable natural resources such as aggregates.  Having extensive pipework will not enhance the knowledge we hope to and require to gain.

 

Scotland is aiming for a Zero Waste growth by 2010!  So where is the continuity in design and implementation.

 

We have been very fortunate recently to be involved in the investigation of and identification of foul and surface water drains at Dumfries House, recently saved by Prince Charles.  The sewers were thought to be around 150 years old and are in fantastic condition. A sign of a simple but robust design - that should be considered with new landfill design.