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ACTELIOS AND THE “EVEREST- K²” COMMITTEE
TOGETHER FOR THE HIMALAYA:
PROJECT EARTH TAKES-OFF FOR THE SUMMIT
An innovative, Italian-made waste disposal system will drastically
tackle the mountain’s environmental malaise by operating in the total absence of electric power and oxygen
Actelios, a Falck Group company and a leader in the field of energy from renewable sources, along with the Ev-K²-CNR Committee, the reference organization for scientific and technological research activities in mountainous areas, have jointly devised a complex, applied research project for contributing to the environmental safeguard of remote, high altitude places, named EARTH Ecological Activity For Refuse Treatment At High-Altitude©
It is a prototype equipment for thermal treatment of waste left behind by mountain and trekking expeditions, local communities and high-altitude mountain parks, suitable for operating in extreme environmental conditions where rarefied oxygen and the total absence of electric power imply the necessity for finding ground-breaking technological solutions.
EARTH shall enable the total disposal of waste produced by mountaineers during their presence at high altitude. Litter, for example, which is the result of as many as 811 alpine teams that, commencing from the beginning of the year 2000 to date, according to figures released by the Nepali Ministry of Tourism, have transited in the Himalayas from the Nepalese face, 125 of which heading for the Everest.
The numbers translate into an enormous amount of garbage. Statistics provided by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (the local environmental conservation institution for Mount Everest) reveal that the world’s tallest mountain hosts about 12,8 tons of waste annually at base camp alone. Add to that the tons of trash deposited at higher sites. And all this refers solely to the southern ridge.
The quantity of waste would be enough to fill as many as 4 railway wagons to the brim. Although less crowded, the K2 region, in the Karakoram range, presents a similar emergency.
EARTH will be the solution to such a legacy. Designed as a series of sectional elements weighing not more than 20 kg each, in order to enable bearers to haul it easily by shoulder, it is in a position to reduce the garbage mass by 97%, operating in complete autonomy and compatible with the rather delicate surroundings; it is also fully compliant with applicable national and international regulations.
Thanks to its user-friendly design and simple maintenance procedures, the equipment shall be handed over to the local populace that shall oversee its global operations.
At full operating capability, this waste-treatment unit will allow for a thorough thermal treatment for disposing of refuse produced during an entire excursion season that witnesses an average of about 4,000 trekkers and 18,000 local escorts. The whole process will take place with full respect of the environment and contribute to the development of a culture relating to sustainable disposal and environmental safeguards, even on the world’s roof-top.
The plant, presented to the press in Cervinia today, will be shipped, in September 2006, to the Central Karakoram National Park, at the entrance of Baltoro (the valley leading to the K2) and installed at a height of 3.400 meters. Subsequently, the unit will also be utilised at the Sagarmatha, Mount Everest’s National Park, and installed at an altitude of 4.700 meters.
In light of the agreement signed with the Ev-K²-CNR Committee, the Alpine Club of Pakistan, within the sphere of the Karakoram Trust project, has arranged to collect the garbage of the 2006 alpine season, to be disposed of this fall with the aid of EARTH.
Mr. Roberto Tellarini, Managing Director of Actelios, the Italian listed company active in the field of energy generation and operations from renewable sources, has stated: “It’s the first time ever that a project of this nature has been implemented anywhere in the world. Earth has represented a great undertaking for the company in favour of sustainable development and environmental protection. The outcome of the test stage has been more than satisfactory, and this will enable us to start with the organizational activities ahead of the unit’s shipment to the Himalayas in the month of September”.
Speaking of the strategic importance of the project and its time-frame, the President of Ev-K²-CNR Committee, Mr. Agostino Da Polenza, added: “EARTH is a great initiative for us, reflecting our decade-long experience in the study of both the mountain environment and the logistical as well as organizational issues touching those places precious to the world at large, like the Himalayas and the Karakoram. The technical and scientific training of the locals will complete the circle of an undertaking able to “fly high, right up to the roof of the world”.
Cervinia, 26th July, 2006
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