A New Landfill Will Be Constructed Instead of Nubarashen Landfill

In Yerevan, works are underway to reduce the waste being sent to the largest landfill located in the Nubarashen community. This was reported to Sputnik Armenia by the Yerevan city hall in response to a written inquiry.

Currently, an average of 55 tons of waste is being recycled monthly, meaning that this amount does not reach the landfill. The issue of closing the Nubarashen landfill and reusing the area has been discussed for several years. The signing date for the agreement to start the construction of a new landfill has been postponed three times. Meanwhile, the landfill on the city's outskirts continues to operate, with continuous fires breaking out during the summer months, causing serious harm to Yerevan's ecology.

The city authorities are looking for interim ways to reduce the volume of waste reaching the site. The city hall reminded that since 2020, the Waste Sorting Department affiliated with the “Greening and Environmental Protection” SNCO has been implementing a sorting program for three types of waste: plastic, paper, and glass in Yerevan. The sorted waste is handed over to companies specialized in that field for further recycling.

“As a result, on average more than 55 tons of waste is sent for recycling each month and does not end up in landfills. It is planned to expand the types of recyclable waste collected in Yerevan. Depending on the ongoing works and monitoring of results, we intend to gradually install red bins designed for aluminum beverage cans in the administrative districts. This year, the addition of sorting points is also anticipated,” city hall officials stated.

In the near future, a batch of containers for plastic, glass, and cardboard waste will be imported, along with two vehicles for servicing glass containers.

Regarding the closure of the Nubarashen landfill and the construction of a new one, city hall officials stated that currently, a consultant from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has presented a technical and economic analysis with several options for the landfill. Once the capital’s authorities choose the option for the future landfill, practical steps will commence. Specifically, the design phase of the new landfill project is expected to take about a year. Following that, the winner of the competition will be selected, after which construction is expected to begin and, according to the plan, will last two years.

Moreover, the new landfill will be fundamentally different from the current one. It is planned to construct an office, a laboratory, access roads, a vehicle tire cleaning station, and a gas station on its territory. The landfill area will be fenced, and all necessary communications will be built.

The landfill will feature a three-layer geomembrane (a plastic cover that is covered with a layer of stones and clay, which will protect the soil from wastewater). Additionally, the landfill will be covered with earth daily to prevent fires from occurring, and a leachate collection station will also be constructed.