The Scottish New Generation Group visited Greengairs Landfill Site on 26th May 2005. The site manager David Napier gave an introduction to the site prior to the delegates splitting into 3 groups and visiting the power station, leachate treatment plant and the landfill site. The groups were given an informative tour around each of these main aspects of the sites operations.

Currently operated by Waste Recycling Group Ltd, Greengairs is Western Europe’s largest (consented void) Landfill site. It was formally a special waste site but under the "Landfill Directive" has reclassified as a non hazardous disposal site.

Greengairs currently disposes of approx 600,000 tonnes of non hazardous waste safely each year. The Methane produced by the decomposition of this waste is passed through the sites power generation plant which currently produces about 12 MW of electricity and the leachate generated is treated on site (approx 200m per day) prior to being safely discharged to surface water. The site is an excellent example of the complexities and challenges of running a modern engineered landfill site.

This enjoyable visit was concluded with opportunities for questions and answers. Thanks to WRG and David Napier for allowing the New Generation Group to visit the site.