UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL: MAINTENANCE-FREE AND LONG-TERM SAFE
In underground disposal plants, your hazardous waste is disposed of in a manner that ensures long-term safety and requires no future processing. This has been officially confirmed by the competent authorities as part of the long-term safety assessment. In mined-out sections of the underground plants, at depths of up to 800 metres, the natural geological conditions provide a permanently secure environment for hazardous substances.
We accept these waste types and much more
At REKS, the process—from inquiry to underground disposal at the two plants in Hesse and Saxony-Anhalt —is quick and hassle-free. Here are the main types of waste — the list of waste that can be accepted is very long.
- Hazardous fibre waste
- Electroplating waste
- Hardening salt residues
- Arson, cyanide or mercury-containing waste
- Residues from the steel and metal industry
- Filtration residue
- Contaminated soil and building rubble
- Evaporation residue
- Filter dust
- PFAS – Compounds
The contaminated substances are dumped in disused sections of the potash mines, embedded in thick layers of salt well below the groundwater table (level). Therefore, people and the environment are also protected in the future.
Geological factors as a natural barrier
Geological section of the underground landfill site (example illustration)
Come to us with your waste
Your waste can be packed into barrels, big bags or steel sheet containers. They reach the underground disposal plants of K+S by lorry or train. Unloading of sea containers is also possible in Zielitz. In Herfa-Neurode we also accept dusty waste delivered in silo lorries. They are placed on site in big bags.
Following high safety standards, all specifications are checked during the acceptance stage. Staff on site check the completeness of accompanying documents, declaration and packaging. Before the waste is disposed underground, a retention sample is extracted for storage.
The waste is transported many hundred metres below ground using a winding shaft. Special-purpose vehicles bring them to the disposal location underground, which is often several kilometres away from the shaft. For safety reasons, different substance groups are also stored in different areas.
At its destination, the waste is stacked in storage chambers. The multi-barrier system applies to landfilling: If a storage chamber is filled, it is sealed off with walls or salt walls.
In the underground disposal plants of K+S strict regulations are followed. The disposal location and time as well as the amount and condition of all waste are documented. In addition, a retention sample is stored underground in the specimen archive. This makes it possible to track where the substances are stored at all times.
