Improvement of municipal solid waste quality for landfilling by means of mechanical-biologicaI pretreatment

Municipal solid waste (MSW) was accompanied through a mechanical-biological treatment plant. Over a period of 20 weeks samples were taken at different stages of treatment. Samples were analysed for physico-chemical parameters , reactional behaviour (respiration activity, gas-generating potential) and toxic effects (aquatic toxicity). Results showed that reactional behaviour decreased considerably with the duration of treatment. Gas-generating pote ntial and respiration activity were reduced for more than 90% at the end of the composting process. Total organic carbon (TOC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD5) and ammonia decreased as well. High toxicity could be obtained with the input and short pretreated materials, the output material did not show any toxic effects at all. The results indi cate that aerobe treatment of MSW reduces emission behaviour significantly and less reactive waste is left for landfilling.