Towards an improved understanding of the leaching behavior of MSWI residues - Report on the 2nd meeting of the IWWG pHOENIX working group on "Management of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Residues"

The IWWG pHOENIX working group on ‘‘Management of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) Residues’’ was established in March 2002, following efforts made by Prof. Peter Lechner from the BOKU University of Vienna to create an international network between people working on issues related to waste combustion residues (e.g from MSW), in the field of both research and industry. The main objective of the pHOENIX group is to exchange and share information on different aspects of MSWI residues, for example, characterization of their environmental behavior, potential for utilization and quality improvement, as well as sustainable management solutions. The main focus of the second meeting was to plan the future activities of the group, in such a way as to contribute to the knowledge of the environmental behavior of incinerator residues. Notwithstanding the amount of work that has already been undertaken to characterize MSWI residues, to understand their environmental behavior, investigate alternatives for utilization as well as obtain insight into the proper strategy for final disposal, the need for a more integrated approach on the title subject was emphasized by the pHOENIX group members.