The lifespan of Thimphu Thromde’s landfill at Memelakha is expected to be more than the recently projected period of four years after the installation of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes at the site. The works for the installation of pipes began on May 15.
Three Japanese experts are providing the technical support in using the method which mainly helps speed up the decomposition process.
The pipes, pierced with holes, are vertically installed about three meters inside the earth. Then, used vehicle tyres are placed over the pipe and buried with stones.
The stones and tyres, according to the experts, will help in aeration and increase the temperature inside. This rise in temperate will accelerate decomposition and fermentation of wastes, which are kept at a radius of 10 metres around the pipes.
As a result of this process, the landfill will sink creating more space.
Thromde officials said 50 pipes will be installed at the site. This includes the horizontal pipes fixed for steeper slopes.
As per a survey conducted last year, the lifespan of Memelakha landfill was calculated at four years.
But with this technique in place and the Green Road, a private company, already managing the plastic wastes at the site, the landfill is expected to serve for more.
The memelakha landfill was first constructed in 1994 with an initial lifespan of 8 years.
