Reclamation works are ongoing at the Shirokorechensky landfill near Yekaterinburg. The landfill was commissioned in 1960, and waste disposal ceased in 2015. The planned reclamation area is 23.1 ha.
The landfill body is currently being formed and compacted, and a protective impermeable barrier is being installed using «ТехПолимер» bentonite mats. The barrier will prevent the formation of landfill leachate and the release of pollutants into the atmosphere. To date, more than 40 000 sq. m of material has been installed.
Bentonite mats are roll-form geosynthetic materials containing bentonite clay granules, designed for waterproofing and protection against the penetration of pollutants into soil and groundwater. The material’s operating principle is based on the ability of bentonite granules to increase significantly in volume upon hydration. If mechanical damage occurs, a watertight bentonite gel forms and fills the defect in the structure.
Bentonite mats are environmentally safe, durable, resistant to aggressive liquids, and withstand an unlimited number of «freezing – thawing» and «hydration – dehydration» cycles. The insulation surface does not require special preparation; the mats can be installed even on waterlogged surfaces under any temperature conditions.
