Mini-landfills for waste storage require attention

The Beshenkovichi District Prosecutor's Office, together with specialists from the Beshenkovichi Inspectorate for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, conducted an inspection in June 2016 of mini-landfills for the storage of solid municipal waste in the district to assess their proper maintenance and compliance with sanitary and environmental requirements.

It was established that by decision No. 755 of July 30, 2014, the Beshenkovichi District Executive Committee approved the Scheme for Municipal Waste Management in the Beshenkovichi District, coordinated with the Beshenkovichi District Inspectorate for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and the State Institution "Beshenkovichi District Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology."

During the inspection, it was found that the waste management procedure stipulated by the aforementioned scheme is generally observed. Waste collection is carried out by the UPK ZhKKh "Beshenkovichi Kommunalnik" at container sites in settlements, and there are designated areas for temporary storage and collection of waste.

However, during visits to individual mini-landfills for solid municipal waste, violations of the requirements of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Waste Management," Sanitary Rules and Norms 2.1.7.12-9-2006 "Hygienic Requirements for the Arrangement and Maintenance of Landfills for Solid Municipal Waste," approved by Resolution No. 68 of May 29, 2006, of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Belarus, as well as TKP 17.11-02-2009 (02120/02030) "Environmental Protection and Nature Management. Waste. Municipal Waste Management. Solid Municipal Waste Disposal Facilities. Design and Operation Rules" were identified.

Thus, during the inspection of the mini-landfills "Sosnyany," "Kleshchino," "Gorki," "Frolkovichi," "Orlovo," "Krupenino," "Vyazhishche," "Pushkari" (mothballed), it was found that the operating organization – UKP ZhKKh "Beshenkovichi Kommunalnik" – does not properly comply with environmental legislation requirements.

In particular, municipal waste is scattered over a significant area, not piled, there is no embankment, drainage ditches are not organized, informational signs and barriers are not placed everywhere, waste burning and storage of secondary raw materials are allowed, which contradicts the requirements of Article 25 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Waste Management," paragraphs 28, 30, 39 of Sanitary Rules and Norms 2.1.7.12-9-2006, as well as paragraphs 4.6 of paragraph 4, and paragraphs 6.4.13 of paragraph 6.4 of TKP 17.11-02-2009 (02120/02030).

Near the "Vyaderevo" quarry of SKhUP "Vyaderevo," an unauthorized dump has formed; however, previously, the "Pushkari" mini-landfill was located here, which was mothballed by decision No. 937 of September 29, 2015, of the District Executive Committee, but continues to be operated.

At the time of visiting the solid waste landfill near the settlement of Drozdы, the economic zone was not cleaned, cluttered, storage of secondary material resources is allowed on the landfill territory, their separate collection by type is not properly ensured, reception and disposal of animal carcasses are allowed, and the drainage ditch is also cluttered with waste.

By virtue of Article 50 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Environmental Protection," legal entities whose economic and other activities are related to waste management are obliged to comply with environmental protection requirements, as well as sanitary, fire safety, and other requirements established by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.