Extension of the landfill site Plöger Steinbruch

Proactive planning

It has been known since 2013 that the DK-I landfill capacity in North Rhine-Westphalia – particularly in the Düsseldorf administrative district – is running out and does not meet future requirements. Based on this information, the City of Velbert, together with Deponiebetriebsgesellschaft Velbert mbH and REMEX, began searching for a solution. Following an in-depth assessment, the choice fell on a site bordering the existing location to the north-west. A compelling option from both a technical and an environmental perspective..

Existing facility reaching its limits

The existing Plöger Steinbruch landfill site has been operated by DBV since 1997 and has established itself over the decades as a reliable part of the regional infrastructure. However, the remaining capacity is expected to be exhausted by the end of next year. Without an expansion, this would not only pose logistical challenges, but also result in longer transport distances and higher costs – with corresponding impacts on the environment and the economy.

Long-term waste disposal security

This is precisely where the North-West extension comes in. Covering an area of around 20.3 hectares – of which approximately 13 hectares are earmarked for the actual landfill site – a new landfill section with a capacity of around 2.3 million cubic metres is to be created. In other words, around four million tonnes of material can be disposed of here in future. A volume that offers disposal capacity for more than a quarter of a century. A crucial factor for planning certainty in the construction industry and for local authorities.

Modern technology for environmental protection

A key element of landfill construction is the liner beneath the landfill, which reliably protects the soil and groundwater. In the case of the landfill site in Velbert, part of the new volume is being implemented as a ‘landfill on landfill’. This design saves space: around a third of the planned new landfill will be built on top of the existing body. In this area, a so-called bi-functional liner is used; it serves as a surface liner for the existing body and as a base liner for the new landfill.

More than just a construction project

With the start of preparatory work, the project is now taking shape. Extensive mitigation and compensation measures will be implemented even before construction begins next year. Strict environmental and species protection regulations will also apply during the construction phase in order to preserve and enhance ecological functions.

The North-West extension is an essential component of modern infrastructure. After all, an effective waste management system is a fundamental prerequisite for economic development – and for the successful implementation of numerous construction projects in the region.on.