Direct landfill disposal versus Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT)

Abstract After the implementation of a new waste management system, in which recycling is the most dominating process, landfill disposal still appears to be the most popular method of waste management in Poland, in which waste undergoes gradual decomposition and the influence of climate conditions, for example, air and atmospheric fallout, leads to the production of leachate and biogas emissions, which contribute to continual threats to the natural environment and humans. The above-mentioned threats can be limited by applying suitable techniques of waste treatment before its disposal. A technology that is oriented to these aims is a mechanical biological treatment (MBT) before disposal. The above-mentioned technology results is waste stabilisation and reduction of pollutant emissions. Additionally, it allows to increase the recovery of materials for recycling and to reduce the mass of waste. Finally, it is environmentally friendly.