The closure of Walleys Quarry, a landfill site in Staffordshire, has been linked to DIY projects carried out during the Covid-19 pandemic by a former senior lecturer in environmental sustainability. Complaints about the site increased significantly during and after lockdowns, with the Environment Agency (EA) reporting poor management and noxious gases above emission guidelines. Dr Sharon George suggested that an increase in plasterboard heading to landfills in 2020 could be behind the spike in odours. The landfill is based in a low-lying area where some of the gases are heavy and react with water, producing unpleasant smells and harming public health.
Dr George argued that landfill waste starts to produce stenches when it starts to rot and emit gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide, adding that the site’s proximity to people’s homes was another factor in the number of complaints that arose from its operation. Campaigner Rebecca Currie, whose son suffers from breathing difficulties, said the closure notice was “absolutely amazing.” The EA has concluded that further operation at Walleys Quarry could result in significant long-term pollution, prompting the closure notice, while the site’s management has rejected allegations of poor management and said it would be challenging it.
According to Dr George, safety standards for landfill sites are strict, and one of the broader issues that need addressing is the UK’s lack of landfill space. While she acknowledged that some materials were particularly bad at producing odours and harmful emissions, increasing landfill sites were not the solution. She said we should be reducing our waste and reusing materials to reduce the amount going to landfill.
The sudden closure of the site highlights the need for better waste management policies to address the amount of waste generated and its disposal. In the interim, members of the public must be encouraged to do their part in reducing waste and promoting recycling efforts
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