Implementation of a new environmental impact assessment for municipal waste landfills as tool for planning and decision-making process

Among Latin American countries, Chile is the leader in terms of end-disposal of waste by landfill, with coverage of 83%. Accordingly, advances in waste management are currently being applied to minimize the environmental impact of existing sites. This has given rise to the need to undertake an environmental diagnosis of existing facilities in order to analyse the problems they present and take the necessary measures for reducing adverse effects. Taking into account the country's territorial division, the study began with an analysis of the seventeen points of deposit located in the Fifth Region of Valparaiso. Researchers used a methodology for measuring environmental impact of urban waste landfills developed by the University of Granada in collaboration with the Catholic University of Valparaiso. By applying this methodology a series of environmental indexes were obtained making it possible to quantify the impact of deposit points on the environmental elements surface water, groundwater, atmosphere, soil and human health. These indexes were as follows: Environmental-Landfill Interaction index; Environmental Risk Index; Environmental Weighting Coefficient; Environmental Value and Probability of Contamination. Analysis of results showed an absence of statistically significant differences in the environmental impact of the landfills, classified as low in all cases. Environmental elements most affected were groundwater and soil. The study also made it possible to compile a catalogue of all the points of deposit and draw up priorities for action.With the exception of one landfill which should be sealed, these action priorities will be aimed at improving the exploitation and design of existing facilities.