Environment

Mexican legislation prescribes measures to be taken in order to prevent nuisance and environmental pollution from landfills. In most cases, the present landfills are not yet equipped according this legislation.
The city of Morelia exploits such a landfill. Royal Haskoning participated in a PESP study, co-financed by EVD International Business, in order to define possible future developments and solutions for the waste management system of Morelia.

A main component of this study has been the regional landfill that recently reached its maximum capacity. Several alternative locations have been judged for their feasibility to function as landfill in the future. For the present landfill site, the possibilities for extension and technical upgrading have been investigated. An important item of the study was the feasibility of landfill gas recovery and utilization in order to generate incomes for landfill exploitation.

The PESP study resulted in a sound overview of alternatives, determining the most feasible way to deal with waste management and more specifically with the practice of landfilling. Landfill gas prognosis and solid estimates of utilization of this gas for electricity production showed the interesting possibilities for investments. Principle schemes and outline designs were made to function as basis for further development of waste collection and treatment facilities in compliance with the Mexican legislation in force.