PS1: Social and Environmental Assessment and Management System
Environmental and Social Assessment: The Republic of Serbia has a well regulated, licensing process applicable to all industrial developments that entail preparation of various studies in order to obtain construction and ultimately operational licenses. In the development of this project, PWW Deponija Leskovac had to consult with the existing Urban Planning documentation “Detailed Spatial Plan” for the proposed landfill site “Zeljkovac”, the Regional Spatial Plan for South Pomoravlje Region, Spatial Plan for Republic Serbia and Strategy of Sustainable Development of Leskovac. PWW Deponija Leskovac also commissioned an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the aspects and impacts, both negative and positive, in the project’s zone of influence in accordance with applicable state environmental laws. Based on Serbian Law on EIA, the content of any EIA is specified to cover different issues including (i) assessing alternative options for selecting of the landfill site, (ii) environmental assessment in and around selected site, (iii) description of significant aspects and potential impact on the environment, (iv) emergency preparedness and response planning, (v) mitigation measures, (vi) monitoring.
In selection of the site the developer considered a set of criteria to help decide on the best possible location. These criteria included visual impact, site geology and hydrology, groundwater level, topography, proximity of private or public drinking, irrigation, or livestock water supply wells located downgradient of the landfill boundaries, availability of soil cover material locally and risk from seasonal flooding, landslides and seismicity.
Landfill site is located 6 km Southeast from Leskovac city and approx 1 km from the main regional road M-1. Connection to the regional road network will be realized via connecting lanes and road intersection designed to provide for an uninterrupted and easy access to and from the landfill site.
Overall area has a slight incline in the direction of the road M-1. The site is located away from urban and protected areas. The nearest settlements are located between 1,2 – 5 km from the landfill site. Approx 400 meter from the perimeter of the site there are several houses which will not be affected by eventual migration of underground gaseous emissions. As per EIA there are no cultural heritage sites, natural protected sites or other areas with high biodiversity values. Visual impact is minimal as the site is located in a remote area. In addition a “green belt” buffer area of locally specific plants will be planted around the perimeter of the site.
Management Program: At the corporate level, PORR has a strong environmental and OHS management team and considers that management of environmental and OHS risk is integral to management of broader business risk. These business risks are controlled in the context of PORR’s Integrated Management System which has received certification of its compliance with ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:1999.
For the Leskovac landfill project, PWW Deponija Leskovac is responsible for overall management of environmental and OHS impacts during the construction and operations through regular inspections. Part of the EIA a program to manage and mitigate potential negative EHS impacts associated with the operation of the landfill site and recycling centre is defined as well as is an environmental monitoring plan. PWW Deponija Leskovac will develop Environmental Social Management Plan (ESMP) and accordingly develop, as applicable, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, timing as per ESAP.
Organization: Responsibility for the management of EHS aspects is primarily at the PWW level and then assigned to operational managers, foremen and employees through inclusion in their job descriptions, during both development and operational phases. PWW relies on the external services provided by authorized local agencies in charge of landfill gas and leachate quality monitoring and community relationship. PWW Deponija Leskovac will employee professional staff dedicated to such aspects as waste water treatment i.e. laboratory specialist, occupational health and safety staff, security personnel, waste screening at the entrance of the facility, landfill gas collection and flaring system, leachate management, and activities that support the main operational activities.
The company carries out inspections of all incoming waste to ensure compliance with contractual requirements from waste transporters and clients. At the entrance a weigh bridge will be constructed to measure quantity of incoming waste and workers will be equipped with portable devices for radioactivity detection in the incoming waste loads. Unloading, sorting and storage of waste will be organized on separate paved area located immediately after the entrance to the site. At the paved plateau any unauthorized waste should be removed and stored in separate area waiting for further adequate treatment and disposal by authorized recycling company
Training: Training programs will be organized by PWW Deponija Leskovac based on yearly evaluations of staff training needs and on the job characteristics and associated risks of employees. Examples of training topics to be covered for the workforce at the landfill site and at the recycling centre include adequate use and care of personal protective equipment (PPE), fire prevention and response, accident prevention training, trainings for drivers of the compactors to enhance compaction effectiveness and safety, manual for workers at recycling centre. Monitoring: As part of EIA a monitoring program for key EHS aspects, such as landfill gas control, leachate collection, treatment and quality control, surface water quality control, soil, air, as well as fauna and flora, has been developed. There will be an on-site laboratory with the professional staff to carry regular testing of leachate and treated water quality. As per EIA and based on monitoring performed during the soil investigation works no underground water source has been identified at the depth of 5,5 meters below the surface suggesting that there is very limited underground water flow and presence of the underground water. Nevertheless the company will develop its own network of monitoring wells. Groundwater monitoring during the operational phase and after the closure of the landfill site will include at minimum 3 piezometers, a small diameter observation wells used to measure the hydraulic head of groundwater in aquifers; one located in the upgradient groundwater flow direction from the landfill and two monitoring wells located in the down gradient direction. In addition a number of monitoring wells along the roads from both sides of the stream will be constructed to enable regular control by the qualified landfill staff to ensure that no leachate is drained to the stream.The groundwater monitoring system will be consistent with applicable national regulations and internationally recognized standards.
Occupational health and safety (OHS) monitoring activities will include visual control of incoming waste, use of portable detectors for presence of radioactivity, workplace exposures to noise, use of PPEs, elevated temperature and chemical agents consistent with Serbian Workplace Health regulation. The PORR-owned subsidiary “Gradjevinsko Preduzece” in Belgrade has direct responsibility for oversight of the construction works and will act as a prime contractor and will be responsible for construction of the landfill. It has concluded a turnkey contract (fixed price, lump sum) with PWW and takes therefore the construction risk. Work for specific construction activities is subcontracted (e.g. installing the HDPE lining, civil engineering works). In selection of the subcontractors PORR’s “Gradjevinsko Preduzece” is aiming to find those sub contractors that are able to manage their EHS and OHS risks according to the local requirements and best international practices, including IFC PS2.
Reporting: Serbian regulatory agencies have the authority to perform regular inspection visits to the landfill site and recycling centre and to assess PWW compliance with local regulatory requirements regarding environmental protection and occupational health and safety.
PWW will also report regularly to IFC on its EHS and OHS performance. The results of EHS and OHS monitoring activities will be compiled into internal report that will be submitted to PORR operational manager for Serbia and at the corporate level which has ultimate operational responsibilities.
PS2: Labor and Working Conditions
PORR has a human resources policy, which is based upon a collective agreement between PORR and its works council. Human resources policies and procedures meet PS2 requirements, and the requirements of the countries in which PORR operates.
Human Resource Policy and Management: The company currently communicates employee rights and responsibilities through employment contracts. PWW Leskovac will develop a formal Human Resource Policy consistent with Serbian labor law and IFC’s Performance Standard 2, as per ESAP. The Company will ensure that the Human Resources Policy clearly communicates to employees such aspects as: hours of work and any legal maximums; entitlement to and payment of wages; entitlement to benefits; permissible wage deductions; overtime payments; entitlement to leave for holidays, illness, injury and maternity and other reasons; employees’ right to form and join workers’ organizations of their choosing and to bargain collectively with the employer; grievance mechanisms and disciplinary and termination procedures and rights; conditions of work; promotion requirements and procedures; and vocational training opportunities. Worker’s Organizations: PWW Deponija Leskovac supports employees’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in compliance with Serbian Labor law.
Grievance Mechanism: The company will create and implement a formal internal grievance process which will allow: (a) any employee grievance by individuals or groups (including anonymous complaints) to be presented verbally or on in writing, without the risk of reprisals; documented and reviewed by company management and subject to a timetable for formal response and resolution; (b) workers the opportunity to meet with management, accompanied by a representative or companion; and (c) an appeal mechanism. The company will make the grievance procedure available to all existing and new employees at the time of hire (as part of its Human Resource Policy or other document).
Protecting the Work Force: PWW and its subcontractors will comply with the requirements for the minimum employment age in Serbia. Access to the landfill will be controlled and there will not be possibilities for informal scavenging on the disposal sites and in the sorting/recycling area of the site. As per main design the landfill site will be built with all legally required technical and service facilities to provide best possible protection of the work force, including sanitary facilities, weather protection, heating during winter time, PPE, reception facilities, sorting and storing equipment.
Occupational Health and Safety: Corporate policy of PORR group emphasises that its main goal is to “guarantee the life, health and wellbeing of its employees” providing for “the safest condition of work for its own and third party employees”. Serbian National Law on Protection on Work specifies measures that PWW will need to provide to its employees to prevent workplace accidents and promote the health of its employees, including use of PPE . PWW will develop OHS program which will include a set of operating objectives based on the identification and quantification of workplace risks coupled with applicable legal and other requirements. As part of the OHS program a specialized team from PORR’s recycling centre in Vienna will provide training for the locally hired staff for the work in the Leskovac landfill site/recycling centre. PORR / PWW Deponija Leskovac will develop a Code of Conduct that outlines the labor and working conditions requirements that it requires third parties to meet, timing as per ESAP. This Code of Conduct will be included in all contracts provided to third parties. The Group will develop a supervision and monitoring plan to ensure that all contractors are in compliance with the defined Code of Conduct.
The most significant occupational health and safety impacts typically associated with workers at waste management facilities occur during the operational phase and include (i) accidents and injuries, (ii) chemical exposure and (iii) exposure to pathogens and vectors.
PWW will institute and apply good management practice in managing the landfill operations which means that (i) the waste will be compacted in thin layers using heavy equipment and covered daily with inert material (ii) landfill gas will be collected through a series of degasification wells and flared in a controlled way, as per ESAP, (iii) the maximum side slopes in the landfill site will be 3:1 with regular drainage of rain water (iv) the workforce is provided with adequate PPEs e.g. protective clothing, gloves, respiratory face masks and slip-resistant shoes for waste transport workers and hard-soled safety shoes for all workers to avoid puncture wounds to the feet, and noise protection and hard hats for workers involved in handling heavy mobile equipment and loads.
Waste collection vehicles and equipment used at the landfill site for compaction and moving of land will be modern with enclosed air conditioned cabs, as necessary, and roll-over protection, with audible reversing alarms and visible reversing lights.
Access to the site will be restricted only to the personnel and only trained staff with adequate PPE will be allowed to access the high risk areas of disposal site. Internal road will be clearly marked with traffic signals e.g. speed limit, junction. Landfill worker will be equipped with communications tools and should be familiar with signaling codes for communications on landfill sites. All will be trained how to act in cases of emergency i.e spill protection and contamination, fire outbreak etc.
To control chemical hazards, PWW will ensure that all incoming waste is: (i) controlled and characterized at the entrance, unloading, sorting and storage areas, (ii) all workforce is provided with PPE including washing areas and areas to change clothes before and after work. Direct-reading instruments that measure methane and oxygen deficiency are of primary importance. All premises that would be at risk in the event of uncontrolled release of methane, such as garages for vehicle service and maintenance, workers wardrobe, storage for oils and grease, laboratory, etc will be equipped with automatic electric switch off system. In waste handling and sorting facilities, monitoring for organic dust is provided.
PWW’s waste handling practices at the landfill site will include disposal in cell forms and compaction of waste with applying daily cover of inert material. Disposal area will graded properly to prevent creation of small depressions in the cells which can serve as insect breeding areas. Integrated pest-control approaches to control vermin levels will be regularly applied. In case of cuts and bruises prompt medical attention will be provided. The sites will be fully fenced to limit animal access. Machinery will be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
PS3: Pollution Prevention and Abatement
Solid Waste Landfill Operations: PWW Deponija Leskovac landfill operations include disposal site and recycling center located within the landfill site. Leskovac landfill site is designed taking into account the Serbian “Technical Criterion in Selection of Solid Waste Disposal Site” , Law on Environmental Protection and Law on EIA, based on which the Elaborate on Technical Conditions for construction of the landfill is drafted.
Leachate Control: The bottom and sides liner design includes a minimum of 0.5 m layer of compacted clay with covered by a 7.5 mm layer of geotextile with minimum density of 1.200 g/m2, then 2 mm high density polyethylene (HDPE) geotextile membrane and protection layer of 7.5 mm geotextile with minimum density of 1.200 g/m2. An additional gravel layer 0,5 m thick is placed over to provide additional resistance to deformability and prevent damage to the membranes and leachate collection drains.
The top cover is designed to ensure that there is no or limited infiltration of rainfall water into the waste body and that there is no uncontrolled escape of landfill gas. Several layers of e.g. gravel 0,2 m to drain landfill gas, clay 0,5 m thick, gravel 0,2 m to drain rainfall water, geotextile to provide stability and final layer of 0,5 m humus, will be constructed. With the closure of the landfill site area of 290,000 m2 will be recultivated.
Leachate will gravitate towards and eventually collected by the underground longitudinal leachate collection drain, which will be constructed along the access road. Along the leachate drain a separate open concrete channel to collect rain fall water from the paved access road will be constructed. Such disposition of drainage system will ensure that there is no leaching of the leachate into the water stream Bucan. To provide additional control and monitoring of potential uncontrolled drainage of leachate into the Bucan stream PWW has committed to construct a number of monitoring wells along the roads from both sides of the stream to undertake , if necessary , rapid correction measures to prevent pollution of the stream by eventual uncontrolled leakage of leachate.
Landfill leachate will be collected and treated on site. Due to the fact that Leskovac city does not have central waste water treatment facility PWW will treat leachate and other waste water to satisfy effluent guidelines as applicable for direct discharges of treated effluents to surface waters for general use as described in the General EHS Guideline, as per ESAP. Regular control of temperature, pH, BOD and total suspended solids will be performed on site. Sludge from the settling pond will be collected regularly and disposed off at the disposal site along with other incoming solid waste.
Rain water that will not be in contact with waste is collected by a series of surface collection channels constructed around the perimeter of the waste disposal area, ducted to the storage reservoir and further to Bucan water stream. The storage with the rainfall water serves as a backup option in case that there is need for additional water in the aeration lagoon to keep it operational during dry summer period. Run-off water from the active disposal areas and sanitary and “technical” waste water from the office premises, maintenance offices will be collected and discharged to the on-site leachate treatment facility. All waste water from the paved areas, which will be built with mild gradient to allow any contaminated runoff / leaching water generated in organic waste to be collected in surrounding channels, will be ducted to the waste water treatment plant and discharged off into the Bucan stream, as per ESAP. Water pumps will be installed at the treatment facility and will be able to pump all waste water from the aeration and settling ponds back to the disposal site, in case of for example pumps failure, to prevent uncontrolled discharge of untreated waste water into the stream Bucan.
The stream will be subject to significant hydrotechnical regulation as it flows through the site. This will include lining of the bed and sides with boulder rocks, building berms on both sides of the stream, constructing four cascades that will help dissipate energy of the stream during high waters in rainy season. Construction of berms will contribute to additional stability of the stream bed and in the same time will balance off the pressure arising from increasing mass of waste to be disposed along the slope areas during the life cycle of landfill site. The regulation work will encompass total length of 2,38 km starting from the regional road upstream in the direction of the landfill site, out of which 1,14 km runs through the landfill site itself. The regulation works will prevent erosion of the stream bed and flooding during rainy season both within the landfill site complex and outside in direction of the main road M-1. The proposed measures were subject to environmental assessment.
Landfill Gas Control:
Landfill is captured through a controlled collection system, comprised of a number of degasification wells, and released into the atmosphere. The project does not envisage having flaring system or using it to generate steam or electric power. Based on annual quantities of disposed waste of approx 50,000 tonnes the average annual generation of greenhouse gas is estimated at 67,000 tonnes CO2 equivalent. PWW Deponija Leskovac will perform regular testing of the quantity and content of landfill gas. If it finds that the quantity and quality of the gas generated is substantial it may prove financially feasible to use as a fuel or to install landfill gas efficient flaring facility on site, timing as per ESAP.
PWW Deponija Leskovac will have well controlled open working front in its landfills in order to minimize the attraction of wildlife (such as birds) and to prevent the spread of odours and windblown dust and litter. This will be mainly achieved through applying daily cover of inert material over the formed cell of disposed waste material. Access roads and internal areas will be continuously sprayed with water during the dry season to minimize dust generation. Approx 400 meters in the Northeast direction two households are located. “Wind rose” of the area shows that dominant wind is blowing in the direction North-South thus causing limited or no odour impact on the households. In addition to the planned buffer zone around the site the planting of locally specific flora will be done to mitigate negative visual impact.
Potable and technical water will be supplied by tank trucks, from the municipal water supply network, to two reservoirs of 50 m3 each. Regular chlorination, quality testing and cleaning of these reservoirs is planned. Reservoir for technical water is designed to sustain 2 hours fire fighting requirements enough time before the city fire brigade is engaged in case of fire at the site. Hydrants network will be installed at the site and supplied with technical water from the reservoirs. Automatic and manual fire alarms will be installed in the facilities at the site and will be connected with Leskovac fire brigade. Electric power will be supplied via National distribution grid.
At the time when the landfill site is operational a base line data on collection/monitoring of environmental impact will be performed to be followed by regular monitoring of air, soil and underground water quality throughout the operational and post-closure life of the landfill. The regular monitoring of landfill gas generated will be done by PWW personnel, and an authorized local agency once in the three months, as per local legal requirements. Landfill design features a network of boreholes placed around the landfill site to provide possibility for long term monitoring of possible landfill gas migration outside the project boundaries or to provide evidence on performance and integrity of leachate collection and control devices.
Closure and Post-Closure
Landfill design incorporates closure and post closure technical issues as per closure plan. Closure and post-closure planning activities include biological and technical measures. The final top cover, as described above, and planed biological measures will prevent further impacts to human health and the environment through (i) long term environmental protection by preventing direct or indirect contact of living organisms with the waste materials and their constituents, (ii) minimizing infiltration of precipitation into the waste and the subsequent generation of leachate, (iii) control landfill gas migration and (iv) minimize long term maintenance needs.
PWW Deponija Leskovac will develop Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan as per ESAP.
PS4: Community Health, Safety and Security
Design of the landfill site and technology of creating daily disposal cells working into the slopes of the natural valley has taken into account results of the soil testing. Although the results showed relatively good stability of the natural soil the project will implement additional geotechnical measures to stabilize soil with the overall disposal area gradient below 1:4. Seismicity risk for this project has been reviewed and is considered minimal. The works on the stream regulation will prevent erosion and provide additional safety against potential landslides as the berms that will be built on both sides along the stream will act as a counterbalance.
Access to PWW Deponija Leskovac landfill is restricted only to authorized persons or accompanied visitors under strict supervision and safety procedures. The site is fenced with concrete and metal prefabricated elements to prevent unauthorized access or trespassing, prevent animals to enter the site and prevent litter dispersal. Engineering controls incorporated into landfill design will limit impacts of this project on local community. Fire prevention and protection system are subject of separate “Fire Elaborate” that needs to be approved by specialized agency prior to the operational permit issuance. As part of the project the exiting local road that passes through the landfill site will be relocated outside the perimeter of the site, for which all necessary permits from the municipality and local community have been obtained.
Transport of waste materials is conducted by PWW collection part of company (the “Collection Company Leskovac”). PWW will pay special attention to environmental and safety issues associated with waste transport activities such as vehicles air emission and use of fuel, noise, odours, litter, and excess quantity and speed of traffic and its affect to the communities through which waste collection and transport vehicles transit in their way to and from the landfill site. Waste will be collected from designated containers and bins on regular basis to avoid accumulation of garbage. PWW will use modern collection container type vehicles able to hold eventual drainage from the waste before it reaches discharge area. PWW will evaluate every collection area against such risks and address eventual concerns in discussions with the local municipalities.
PWW should encourage separation of recyclable materials at the point of generation, so that the collection points do not become sorting points for informal sector waste pickers. PWW Collection Company should be made aware of benefits of good driving practices which reduce both the risk of accidents and fuel consumption, including measured acceleration and driving within safe speed limits (working with garbage truck drivers can save as much as 25% on fuel use and reduce maintenance by 15%).
Security Personnel
PWW Deponija Leskovac will have its own licensed professional staff and will ensure that all security personnel follow local relevant regulation in terms of implementation of code of conduct, training, equipment and monitoring of security personnel.
