Expermental plant for the leachate treatment at Kaunas landfill, Lithuania

Abstract

Landfills make a negative impact on the environment all over the world, especially if they
are constructed and operated in nonconformity to the environment requirements. There
are about eight hundred registered dumping sites in Lithuania, but just a few of them have
been constructed according to the requirements and only one landfill has leachate
treatment plant. Only a few decades ago first attempts for introduction of environmental
care instruments for landfill and leachate handling were made. Therefore, leachate
treatment methods and technologies are still under development and have not been
completely settled. This article presents overview of leachate treatment technology
applied in the Lapes Landfill (Lithuania, Kaunas). The overall situation in the Lapes
Landfill, concerning the volumes of collected waste and leachate quality has been
presented. Lapes Landfill is second largest landfill in Lithuania and the first where
leachate treatment plant has been constructed across the country. The heart of constructed
treatment plants is aerobic reactor. The article presents review of the plants treatment
efficiency and as well the main problems. The pilot plant testing of leachate treatment at
Lapes Landfill has been carried out. Suggested leachate treatment technology is
presented.