The separation of garbage reduces 35% volume of Tehran garbage

According to Mehr News Agency, based on the statistics, each resident of Tehran annually generates garbage an average of six times as heavy as his or her own weight. The same data show that the average per capita garbage generation in Tehran is 320 kg, and the value of daily garbage generation in Tehran is 1800 million rials (≈ 5000 USD). The daily garbage generation in the world is from 250 g to 300 g which is 600 g in Iran and 1200 g in the north of Tehran. Based on the existing statistics, Tehran citizens generate 500 tons of garbage per minute and 7500 tons every day which is much higher figure in comparison to other developing cities. That is why municipality has to collect the garbage several times a day in some districts of Tehran, even though the amount of the litter generation has recently reduced by culture making and the issue of garbage separation. 

In an Interview with Mehr News Agency, Mojtaba Yazdani, the Tehran Deputy municipal urban services, has explained about the programs of his department in the fields of reducing littler generation, the inauguration of incinerators, and underground garbage dump which can be read as follows:

7500 tons of daily garbage generation has been announced in Tehran for years. The first question is why this number does not decrease, and how can we go forward to the direction of many developed countries in which the garbage collection of the city can be reduced for at least every other day?   

We have announced for a long time that the amount of garbage generation in Tehran is 7500 tons, but we will soon announce the exact statistics on garbage generation in Tehran by using new tools and instruments. When each vehicle arrives at the central station of garbage dump, the cameras will record all the statistics and information on it, even the statements will not be issued manually. I can promise that the figure will be announced definitively from October on.

The second point is that we are not to reduce the amount of garbage, but we can provide right methods to minimize the transfer of waste to disposal sites. The discussions such as separation of litter from home can be very effective, and the separation of the dry from the wet garbage will reduce the volume and weight of the garbage. Tehran has the capability of reducing between 30% and 35% of this statistics via suitable separation. Branches and mud which are not considered garbage used to be added to littler, and now we separate them. 

Please let us know the latest status of incinerators and their inauguration and whether they can generate energy from litter. 

Our daily energy generating capacity is 200 tons at the moment, but we are planning to launch 2 plants with 1600 tons of capacity, and we are holding a tender for their construction which earns us very good achievements. 

Has this process taken very long?

Yes, but the reason is that many have announced their readiness for the project, so we have taken all their information sent letters to all who are active in this field. This issue will surely be finalized in two weeks. The second incinerator will be installed after the first one has been on operation. These figures, along with the 30% reduction of volume due to garbage separation, will reduce a considerable amount of garbage generation. We are trying to produce compost from the remaining waste, but the main issue is the people’s cooperation.

One of the serious harm in the field of litter is the waste of hospitals which was supposed to be completely isolated. Has this promise come true?

Infectious waste is regarded as special waste which needs a program to be made harmless. There are 150 tons of medical and infectious wastes for which we will design a separated system. This kind of litter is transported by special vehicles to special hygienic landfill cells which are in compliance with the standards of the Ministry of Health and Environmental Organization. After the construction of incinerator, these wastes will be harmless and converted into energy. In fact, the same process which was considered for the power plant will be for this kind of litter, too. Special people has been introduced for this field, and the consultations with them will continue. Meanwhile, an agreement was signed with the Ministry of Health. At present, we have dedicated a separated site from the household litter for them so that we will face less risk. The issue of energy generation from this kind of wastes will soon be on the agenda.

The use of underground tanks is a know method in the world, and many litter tanks are located underground in the European countries which do not allow the individuals and scavengers to take out anything from the litter, an in the case of the rain, water will not penetrate into the tanks. Given the importance of it, this issue seemed to be concluded soon, but apparently it has not been finalized yet. What is the result of this issue for which a pilot project is being implemented in municipal region 2?

In fact, we should find out the effect of the implementation of this project in municipal region 2. We have implemented three cases for the pilot project in municipal region 2, and we should consider the relevant feedback. The experts are seriously working in this respect, and we will make a conclusion about it after 3 – 4 week reviews.

And the last question. Has the leachate lake dried completely?

This lake has completely dried, and trees have been planted in 400 hectares of the lands of Aradkouh area over the years.