Effect of MBT on landfill behavior: an Italian case study

Abstract Bad choices in municipal waste (MW) management cause negative effects on sustainability. Evolving regulation has identified prevention and recycling as the best strategies; nevertheless, disposal landfilling sites plays an essential role since a complete zero-waste scenario is not realistic, currently. Nowadays, policies require preliminary stabilization to decrease putrescible content. Therefore, mechanical biological treatment (MBT) replaced previous crushing, aimed at simple volume reduction. Literature proved effectiveness of MBT when MW collection system ineffective. The present paper considered facility area with high-performance system. A long-term (1999–2019) on-site sampling allowed comparison between two facility: old site (before activation) new area, where stabilized disposed of. Monitoring biogas, leachate (analyzed parameters: pH, BOD 5 , COD, ammonia-nitrogen) odorous emissions was performed verify effect process. long period support relevance results, compared available literature, often referred laboratory scale. results relatively low benefit facility, which cannot justify energy consumption MBT.