Feb 2023 Litter Escape Event
For the second time this year a major pollution incident at the Dunbar Landfill, now owned by Valencia. Who will call out the gross mismanagement of the former Viridor owned site? Earlier in the year, despite bad weather being predicted for days before, the site was not properly covered and the fences clearly inadequate for the vastly increased volumes of waste being dumped there. Unofficially, I heard that in just 1 hour waste was being delivered that previously would have arrived over a full day (according to letsrecycle.com 600-800 tonnes daily). With very little storage capacity (1 day I believe), one can conclude that it had to go straight onto the fast growing mound.
Consequently for the next week and longer plastic waste was spread over several square km, and continued to spread – much of it ending up at sea. Few seemed to care. Or not that much. Despite the dominant industrial land uses, this area is also very important habitat for wildlife, with an SSSI and a super-SPA (Special Protection Area – Birds). The area is of outstanding historical interest and, remarkably, important for its landscape values too.
But the inaccessible plastic waste that locals could not pick, is still there in the trees and hidden deep in the scrub. The rest is buried in vegetation and field margins or ingested by luckless sheep or geese or at sea.
Gross negligence or complacency? A combination? I got few convincing answers and heaps of contrition from the previous manager, who unsurprsingly within the month had moved on.
August 2023 A Major Fire
Then a few days ago ago a serious fire – this time a big one. Predictable really given the uptick in volume handled, a lot of it highly combustible, and the reasonably dry weather and dubious site working practices – covering was not practiced daily and multiple cells worked on at the same time (see SEPA’s guidance for best practice).
Questions need to be asked. What preparations and contigencies were in place to handle a serious fire? The second in just a few years. Why is the site not covered daily? I understand that there is no easy accessible supply of water, it has to be ferried a km or so from the blue water settlement pond, which is itself potentially harmful. Indeed why would you use water? Is there a sufficient store of soil to be used in the event of a fire and to cover waste daily. Why was such a large area being filled with scant regard for the windy conditions experienced in this location?
How is that there is rather little publicity as to the potential dynamics of the smoke cloud, which inevitably was going to change direction?
And who exactly are Valencia? The company popped up from nowhere. There is precious limited local liaison.
I think the average man or woman in the street would expect these and many other questions to be asked. Can we expect a substantial fine perhaps? The permanent and immediate closure of the landfill to highly combustible plastic wastes? A decent aftercare plan that supports nature recovery and improves the otherwise grotesque landscape?
What will our politicians do?
Here’s what Valencia proudly say about themselves.
Welcome to Valencia Waste Management Limited, we are a leading provider in waste management services and are the largest privately owned landfill business in the UK.
Waste disposal in landfill remains and important part of the waste hierarchy and we pride ourselves in our impeccable safety and compliance standards in delivering this critical infrastructure.
We are also proud to play our part in restoring sites and improving the environment and biodiversity.
Our Operations
Valencia operates a diverse portfolio of sites. Currently, we have 7 active landfills, along with 36 sites that are either closed, mothballed, or undergoing restoration. Our extensive geographical spread positions us as a key strategic business partner to some of the largest waste producers in the UK.
Excellence in Service
Our landfills are managed by a highly skilled and experienced team, delivered with precision, ensuring optimal use of space, safeguarding the environment, and delivering value to our customers and communities.
Our Commitment to Restoration and Aftercare
Our commitment does not cease at waste management. A significant part of our operations is dedicated to the restoration and aftercare of sites that have reached their capacity. Through meticulously planned restoration projects, we are able to reintegrate these sites into the environment, often transforming them into natural habitats, parks, or community spaces.
Others may beg to differ
Images of the fire from Doon and Fuller’s Hill
