It takes an average of 4 to 7 years for a new landfill to become operational.

From the political decision to create it, to the mandatory procedures including technical, environmental and social studies, and to obtaining construction and operating permits, the operation of a landfill is a complex and long-term project. Thus, the Lomé landfill, whose project known as PEUL (Projet Environnement Urbain de Lomé) started in 2007, is on-going its fourth phase with a project to improve its energy and environmental performance (PEUL IV).

Designing a CET that meets acceptable environmental and social standards involves:

Defining the scope of the project area

Assessing the quality and quantity of waste to be managed over the lifetime of the site

Ensuring the suitability of the chosen site for this type of infrastructure

> Technical suitability: sufficient surface area available for a minimum of 10 to 20 years’ lifetime;

> Compatible geology and hydrology parameters: soft and low permeability ground, situated above the highest underground or surface water level, outside fault zones, with slight natural slopes, etc.);

> Environmental suitability: away from any classified or protected areas or areas of particular interest for biodiversity;

> Social suitability: with a minimum distance from homes, schools, hospitals and controlled social impacts;

> Accessibility: with access roads suitable for heavy vehicles;

> Land suitability: availability and land control of a site that is easily accessible from the main waste production centre.

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