A Modern Sanitary Landfill
‘First’ is a word Fredericton Region Solid Waste (FRSW) has become very familiar with throughout the
years.FRSW was the first regional sanitary landfill in New Brunswick and the first to bale its garbage.
Solid waste brought to the landfill is disposed of in the most environmentally sensitive way possible. This
starts with the construction of a cell to hold the waste. The landfill is located on land between two large
drumlins of clay which is integral in landfilling. Clay acts as a natural barrier between garbage and the
surrounding soil and water supply. We don’t let the clay do all the work, a geo membrane which has the
consistency of a vinyl record, is also placed in the cell to act as another barrier between the waste and
the surrounding environment. A cell is about one hectare in size.
Once a cell is completed, bales of solid waste are then placed into it. It takes about two years to fill cell
with garbage.
(Pictures and video of cell construction)
The Practice of Baling Solid Waste
In 1993, FRSW became the first landfill in Atlantic Canada to bale solid waste. Baling involves garbage
being placed in a large compactor which compresses the waste into rectangular cubes. Baling reduces
the environmental impact of leachate, keeps the site clean by reducing and preventing blowing litter;
and helps extend the lifespan of the landfill. One bale weighs approximately 1,500 kg.
Once a bale is produced, it’s taken to the landfill site and placed in a cell. About 120,000 bales can fit in
one cell. Bales are added to cells daily and covered with clean soil. When the cell is full, it is covered with
one metre of clay. About 30 centimetres of topsoil is spread over the clay and seeded. The end result is a
grass field sloped to aid in runoff.
Environmental Protection
Leachate is the liquid waste formed when rain and snow drain through the cells of a landfill. At the FRSW
site, leachate is collected and piped to a biological treatment lagoon. Leachate is collected through pipes
at the bottom of the cells and gravity pulls it to the lagoon.
Once the leachate reaches the lagoon, treatment begins. The first step is to introduce biological activity
into the leachate through a specially designed oxygen injection. Oygen helps create microorganisms that
eat away at the harmful properties of leachate. The liquid stays in the lagoon and is treated for about
120 days.
After about four months of treatment, the leachate is piped to the City of Fredericton’s wastewater
facility and treated again before being safely released into the environment. In addition to the leachate
treatment lagoon, FRSW regularly monitors surface and groundwater at the site to ensure all
environmental protection systems are functioning properly.