In 80% of countries around the world, solid waste is disposed of into landfills and dump sites, notes France-based multinational group Suez’ Waste-to-Energy director Odile Oberti. She was addressing the International Solid Waste Association conference, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, on Tuesday. Dump sites create lots of issues, she pointed out. When they were poorly managed, or not managed at all, they produced a range of types of pollution, including of water, air and soil. They generated greenhouse gases (GHGs). They produced unpleasant odours. They were health hazards. They were often geotechnically unstable, which was important because many people walked on them, looking to scavenge material for recycling. And fires were another hazard.
