Russia proposes to ban the export of food waste to landfills near airports

Russia has found an effective way to control large concentrations of birds near airports, which in the future may improve flight safety. The Russian Environmental Operator (REO) told Izvestia about this.

The company proposes to ban the transfer of food residues to landfills located within a 15 km radius of air harbors. This is the so-called sixth subzone, and it is here that landfills are prohibited, which contribute to the mass accumulation of birds, according to the Air Code. The new approach will deprive the birds of food, which means that their numbers in such sensitive areas will decrease dramatically.

The REO has already sent such an initiative to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The Ministry is already considering the proposal. In practice, we are talking about amendments to the government decree "On uniform requirements for facilities for the treatment, disposal, neutralization, and disposal of municipal solid waste."

If municipal solid waste (MSW) has not been processed, organic matter has not been separated from other fractions, then such waste will not be included in the flow patterns of garbage to landfills, explained Denis Butsaev, General Director of the REO. According to him, the changes are planned to be introduced by 2030, when Russia will begin sorting 100% of garbage by fractions.

Butsaev added that the REO has established that the key factor in the mass accumulation of birds is the burial of organic waste at MSW facilities, so experts have concluded that it would be rational to prohibit the sending of waste to these territories without pre-sorting. Organic matter must be separated and composted in designated areas.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Recycling tricks: it is proposed to ban the export of food waste to landfills near airports