Ecology can't wait for the end of the sanctions

The problem of solid waste landfills is acute throughout the country. Russia is still only taking its first steps in recycling garbage. Their technologies and experience in this area are provided by foreign partners. CEO of the company ECOCOM, engaged in the design and construction of modern engineering facilities for environmentally friendly solid waste landfills, Mr Oliver Kayser, told us how this work happens in the Moscow region.

– Mr Oliver, where did the activity of ECOCOM start in Russia?

– The founder of the subsidiary company ECOCOM in Russia is an Austrian company, which was founded in 1991 and from the very beginning was engaged in the technologies of utilization, neutralization and recycling of waste. In 2005, it was decided to develop joint activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the framework of the mechanism of international investment projects, also known as the Kyoto Protocol. For 4 years we have been preparing joint Russian-Austrian projects for the collection, neutralization and utilization of landfill gas. Unfortunately, these projects were not implemented for various reasons. And we made a decision to realize at least part of what was planned independently from the state bodies. Since 2010, we design, build and operate systems for the collection, neutralization and disposal of landfill gas, and for the purification of the filtrate (waste water from landfills).

– Tell me more about the technologies that you already use in Russia.

– Our main project is the system for collecting and utilizing of landfill gas, which is 50% methane. It is a very strong greenhouse gas, which affects the warming of the earth 25 times more than carbon dioxide. The essence of the project is that we collect landfill gas, neutralize it in a high temperature flare, where it is converted to safer carbon dioxide. Moreover, this technology not only converts landfill gas, but also removes the unpleasant odour, destroys harmful impurities. Thus, an environmental benefit is achieved. These projects were highly appreciated in the Austrian Republic. Many countries, applying this technology for years, began to use the energy generated by combustion for other purposes. And this is real. Even after a landfill is closed, landfill gas is formed there for decades. And its energy can be used in the production of electricity, heating of premises, greenhouses. In addition, these technologies increase the level of education of people. Who works in garbage dumps today?.. And with the advent of high technologies, modern equipment, people will have to learn, master new equipment, knowledge of chemistry, engineering, and technical skills will be required. In general, the system has many positive effects, in addition to reducing harmful emissions. I will not say that our project developed easily. The point is in foreign investment, the mechanism of its entry into the country is not simple. And the project itself at the initial stage implies continuous investments without profit. We all pay only for the removal and disposal of garbage, and not for the construction site on the landfill, not for combustion of gas. And in 2014, one landfill still decided on this – the landfill Timokhovo. The director of the site decided that they should be ahead of everyone, and took this decision. We made a project for the collection and neutralization of landfill gas, which later continued to be serviced. The project is still functioning today. With the arrival of Aleksandr Borisovich Kogan as the Minister of Ecology and Environmental Management of the Moscow Region, the situation began to be understood and considered from a different angle. It became clear: the tariff that landfills receive is not enough to purchase machinery and equipment. And then in the Ministry of Ecology of the Moscow region came up with an investment allowance. And this became a key decision. We can say that the Moscow region in this issue has become a pioneer in Russia. Summarizing, it is possible to identify several stages that contributed to the launch of our project, the