Scott Luettich (Maine) and Nick Yafrate (Massachusetts) will speak at a meeting of the Southern New England Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on October 16, 2017.

Scott and Nick will discuss "Elevated Temperature Landfills (ET°LFs) - Recent Challenges Facing the Solid Waste Industry." Although not common, temperatures in excess of 250°F to 300°F have been measured in some landfills. The exothermic source of heat in these sites is not fire, however, if elevated temperatures are detected, the landfill operator is first tasked with investigating and demonstrating whether the heat is being caused by waste combustion.

Operational challenges may include:

• Softening and pinching/buckling of gas-collection components in the landfill which may lead to challenges with odors
• Increased quantity and strength of leachate
• Safety considerations for site personnel due to localized subsidence of the waste surface

Scott and Nick will summarize these and other operational considerations, and will describe ongoing research into what is causing the elevated temperatures, as well as efforts being undertaken to detect, mitigate, and prevent elevated temperatures from occurring at existing and future landfills.

Scott Luettich is a Principal Geotechnical Engineer and Director of Engineering for Geosyntec's solid waste management practice based in New England. He has more than 25 years of experience as the lead designer and/or project manager for the design, permitting, and construction of dozens of landfills located throughout North America.

Nick's specialties are geotechnical engineering, geotechnical site investigation, geotechnical instrumentation, full-flow penetrometers, geotechnical data acquisition, and landfill design.

The SWANA Southern New England Chapter's goal is to improve the practice of environmentally and economically sound integrated solid waste management in New England.

Each year since 1985, SWANA representatives join in Massachusetts to discuss current and upcoming events. Speakers from across the country come to these events with new information, new technologies and new proposed regulations. With nearly 7,500 solid waste professionals nationwide, SWANA is a link to training, certification, networking, and legislative representation. SWANA is dedicated to the professional development of solid waste managers, environmental engineers, consultants, private haulers, recyclers, and operators. The business and regulatory landscape of the solid waste field is changing very rapidly and there is tremendous need for information on how to stay on the cutting edge. SWANA's hallmark as a source for credible, high-quality information regarding solid waste has led to the development of education programs and conferences that are at the forefront of the profession.

More Information

Learn more about the event at: Elevated Landfill Temperature Concerns and Energy Recovery from Landfill Gas.
Learn more about SWANA at: Southern New England Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America.
For consultation regarding Elevated Temperature Landfills, contact Scott Luettich at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Nick Yafrate at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Learn more about Scott at: https://www.geosyntec.com/people/scott-luettich
Learn more about Nick at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-yafrate-phd-pe-18814b15/