Remediated Aargau hazardous waste landfill to become a natural paradise
Published: Friday, Dec 15th 2023, 11:20
Updated At: Friday, Dec 15th 2023, 11:20
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A natural paradise is to be created on the site of what was once Switzerland's largest contaminated site, the hazardous waste landfill in Kölliken AG. This has been agreed by the local community, the Pro Natura organization and the landfill operators.
A national showcase project for the coexistence of nature and agriculture is planned, the three partners announced at a media conference in Kölliken on Friday. A wonderful natural oasis is being created, said Mario Schegner, Mayor of Kölliken.
An amphibian spawning area of national importance is planned. Ecological use is planned for the agricultural land. This would also include organic farming. Ponds and pools, a high-stem orchard as well as hedges and dry stone walls should enrich the planned natural oasis.
The local municipality and Pro Natura bought the site from the Kölliken hazardous waste disposal site consortium (SMDK), which mainly comprises the cantons of Aarau and Zurich, for 800,000 Swiss francs. Pro Natura and the municipality would each share the price equally, said Pro Natura Managing Director Matthias Betsche.
Conclusion behind landfill scandal
The nature project marks the end of an inglorious environmental chapter. Following the closure of Switzerland's first hazardous waste landfill in 1985, more than 600,000 tons of material have been dismantled since autumn 2007.
It was the largest and most expensive clean-up of contaminated sites in Switzerland. Taxpayers in the cantons of Aargau and Zurich in particular had to finance the remediation and dismantling work, which cost around one billion Swiss francs.
In mid-2015, it was announced that the pit near the A1 highway had been emptied. It was refilled, including with rock excavated from the SBB Eppenberg tunnel between Aarau and Olten.
High-tech for contaminated sites
The hazardous waste from the landfill was removed under increased safety conditions. There was negative pressure in three halls above the landfill site and the exhaust air was permanently monitored.
The toxic waste and the contents of the barrels were analyzed in a laboratory. At times, more than 50 people worked at the landfill.
The cantons of Aargau and Zurich each hold a 41.6% stake in the SMDK operating consortium, which was founded in 1976. The City of Zurich and Basler Chemie also have an 8.3% stake each.
Following public protests and massive environmental problems, the Kölliken municipal council closed the landfill site in 1985 against the wishes of the Aargau cantonal authorities. In addition to the lack of experience of the authorities and environmental experts, the main cause of the scandal was the fact that the canton of Aargau was both the landfill operator and the highest supervisory authority.
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