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Handling leachate from glass cullet stockpiles
C L Tsai1, U Krogmann, P F Strom
1Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers, The State University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8551, USA.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|January 6, 2009
Summary
Leachate from uncovered glass cullet stockpiles contains contaminants comparable to untreated wastewater. Mechanical turning aids organic degradation, but nitrogen levels necessitate treatment before release to the environment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Waste Management
- Water Quality
Background:
- Mixed glass cullet (crushed recycled glass containers) is often stockpiled uncovered.
- Rainwater leaching through stockpiles dissolves and suspends contaminants from food residuals and labels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine leachate quantity and quality from glass cullet stockpiles.
- To establish a basis for developing Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Main Methods:
- Four 35-tonne field stockpiles were established for leachate analysis.
- Mechanical turning treatment effects on leachate were evaluated.
- Field leachate and lab-generated washwater were analyzed for wastewater parameters.
Main Results:
- Pollutant levels in leachate were comparable to or higher than untreated domestic wastewater or urban stormwater.
- Organic contamination significantly decreased in washwater (BOD >95% reduction).
- TKN and total phosphorus levels in leachate remained high (11.6-154mgL⁻¹ and 1.6-12.0mgL⁻¹, respectively) after four months.
Conclusions:
- Leachate from glass cullet stockpiles should not be released directly to surface water.
- Treatment is required to reduce nitrogen levels in leachate from long-term stockpiles before groundwater release.
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