The Landfill 2015 Conference, themed Advances in Waste Treatment and Engineered Landfill Environment, is set to take place from September 15 to 16 at the Waterval Country Lodge, in Tulbagh, in the Western Cape.

Organised by the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa, the Landfill and Waste Treatment Interest Group (Lawtig) and the Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa, the conference will familiarise delegates with the latest waste management techniques and developments, as well as provide a platform for themn to share ideas with leaders in the landfill and alternative waste treatment industries.

During this conference, topics such as landfill construction and operations, waste transportation, civil and geotechnical engineering, geosynthetics, waste compaction, waste-treatment equipment, refuse-derived fuels, waste-to- energy plants and funding models will be discussed by delegates, says Lawtig chairperson Pieter Kriel.

Two keynote speakers will provide an overview insight of the industry and how it can improve, he notes.

Independent geosynthetic testing and analysis laboratory TRI Australasia director Warren Hornsey, a professional civil engineer with experience in Africa, the UK and Australia, will speak about Australian landfill regulations and how they compare to those of South Africa. “He will also touch on the impact these regulations have on geosynthetic development,” adds Kriel.

He says Hornsey’s role as a director at this company indicates his involvement in landfill quality assurance on a daily basis, as he has regular interaction with regulators, designers, installers and manufacturers regarding landfill matters.

Hornsey will elaborate on the variations in Australian landfill regulations among the autonomous states, based on different philosophical views to protect the environment.

Further, research and testing services company Cape Advanced Engineering MD Dr Andrew Taylor is expected to discuss biogas generation in the South African context.

Based on his expertise in alternative fuels and power machinery, particularly engines used for electric power generation, he will provide information on technologies for the transformation of various forms of biomass into usable fuel or energy, and the production of natural fertiliser as a by-product.

“Taylor will also shed light on the unique approach needed for establishing biogas gener- ation projects in South Africa while facing a combination of challenges that include low electricity costs, limited investment capital, high interest rates, electricity insecurity and denial of access to the national power grid,” indicates Kriel.