At the end of April, residents of Sverdlovsk Region contacted me to report plans by the large enterprise PJSC "Pervouralsk New Pipe Plant" (PNTZ) to cut down forest and build a huge waste landfill covering approximately 310 hectares.
I prepared a large, detailed report on this issue, which was read by over a million people in just a month. It was important to convey public opinion and support the public outcry.
After the publication, many people contacted me with additional information and opinions. Notably, on May 23, PNTZ representatives personally reached out and sent an open letter.
Let me now publish their letter in full, so that everyone can become familiar with the company's position on the proposed landfill construction. The text has not been distorted, changed, or shortened.
Dear Pavel Alekseevich,
Understanding the concerns of residents in the villages of Druzhinino and Pervomayskoye regarding the new industrial waste landfill, which is planned to be constructed in the remote area of Pervouralsk urban district near the border with Nizhneserginsky district, PNTZ is ready to share detailed information about the project to address key concerns.
The modern environmental facility "Industrial Waste Landfill for Hazard Classes 4 and 5" is designed to provide full control over the disposal and storage of generated waste. On its own advanced site, which will be a structural division of the plant, PNTZ will ensure safe waste management in accordance with the strictest regulations.
As of today, PNTZ does not have its own landfill. Waste designated for burial is currently transported to the MSW landfill in the city of Revda, which is nearing capacity as it serves many cities and enterprises. Part of the waste is sent for neutralization and recycling via contractors. As is well known, filling MSW landfills with other types of waste hinders the development of a circular economy. By launching its own landfill, the company increases waste management efficiency through the use of advanced technologies and continuous monitoring by its own lab and third-party specialists. Measurements will follow schedules set forth by Federal Law No. 7 “On Environmental Protection.”
In response to your environmental concerns, we clarify that the facility will be located within the urban district of Pervouralsk, along the Yekaterinburg–Perm highway, and at least 4 km away from residential and garden communities, medical institutions, recreation areas, protected zones, and habitats of rare or protected species.
The site for the landfill was selected from land plots proposed by the Pervouralsk administration.
The site was primarily chosen based on its compliance with the Russian national standard GOST R 56598-2015 "General Requirements for Waste Disposal Landfills." The permitted land use does not overlap with state forest lands, agricultural land, or water protection zones. The surrounding forest is designated for timber harvesting, not protected or relic forest. This is confirmed by the interactive “Forests of Russia” map (https://pub.fgislk.gov.ru/map/?ysclid=maqsqexdxb473133651), which shows no protective restrictions for the site in question.
Surveys have been conducted and concluded that the site meets GOST R 56598-2015 standards. The site is remote from settlements, does not affect agricultural or water protection lands, and is outside the sanitary zones for drinking and domestic water sources. The prevailing wind direction leads away from inhabited areas. According to sanitary standards (SanPiN 2.2.1/2.1.1.1200-03, sections 12.2.1 and 12.2.2), the sanitary protection zone is 500 meters. The nearest residential area, Ilmovka, is 4 km away, far beyond this protective boundary.
The project also incorporates best practices from other TMK enterprises. For instance, the Volzhsky Pipe Plant in the Volgograd region has successfully operated a similar facility for over 10 years. Technologies used in the new landfill are designed to eliminate negative environmental impacts during operation and long after closure. Similar landfills function successfully in Europe and various regions in Russia, including Moscow Region, Samara, and Krasnodar Krai. Their environmental safety is confirmed by annual monitoring results.
The landfill site lies outside any water protection zones, so contamination of water bodies is excluded. Stormwater will be collected and treated before being discharged into the Malaya Cheremsha River. This river, code 10010100612111100010317, flows into the Chusovaya River, code 10010100512111100010035, 13 km downstream of Bilimbay and does not impact the legal interests of local residents. The village of Cheremsha lies about 10 km further downstream. The landfill lies beyond the water protection zone. The Cheremsha River is not classified as a drinking or fishery water body.
Groundwater and subsurface water contamination during operation is not expected. The project includes a dual anti-filtration screen made of bentonite mats and geosynthetics, preventing contaminants from reaching groundwater. Monitoring of wastewater and subsurface conditions will be carried out. Monitoring wells will be installed along natural groundwater flow directions.
The thermal waste treatment facility (incinerator) you mentioned will indeed operate on-site. It poses no environmental threat as it features a dry gas cleaning system: battery cyclone, dry reagent injection, cyclone filter, fabric filter, activated carbon adsorber. This facility will neutralize class 3 and 4 wastes, reducing volume and hazard. The technology is approved by the state environmental review (Order No. 75, Southern Interregional Department of Rosprirodnadzor, dated 09.02.2021).
In response to concerns over the landfill's size: the waste disposal zone consists of 13 sections ("cells"), to be built in stages. The first 5 will be used initially, followed by others. Filled sections will undergo reclamation in two phases — technical (site preparation) and biological (soil restoration and seeding). PNTZ does not intend to accept or store waste from third-party companies at this facility!
PNTZ operates strictly within current legislation. Construction of this landfill is a responsible step toward reducing environmental impact and achieving the President’s goal of safe waste management. According to Article 28 of Federal Law No. 7-FZ “On Environmental Protection,” the best available technologies must be used to minimize environmental impacts. At every lifecycle stage, the project will comply with all legal requirements using such technologies.
From the author.
So that’s the letter. I believe it’s crucial that people today understand both the public's and the company’s positions. Of course, business must have a right to speak.
After reading the letter, I have additional questions.
PNTZ claims that its 320-hectare landfill, meant for class 4 and 5 waste, will address capacity shortages, be ≥4 km from settlements, and be equipped with a dual anti-filtration barrier, stormwater system, and incinerator with “dry” gas cleaning for class 3 and 4 waste. They reference successful TMK sites like the Volzhsky Pipe Plant and European examples.
Did I get that right?
First.
It’s stated that only class 4 and 5 waste will be buried. Yet, the incineration of class 3 waste is also mentioned. What about the resulting ash and filter media, which—according to Rosprirodnadzor methodology—often fall under class 1 or 2 due to dioxin and heavy metal concentrations?
A 500-meter sanitary buffer is only valid for class 4–5. How will highly toxic residuals be handled? Dispersion modeling is needed!
Second.
A 320-hectare site with 13 cells seems excessive for one company. Show waste generation forecasts and fill density. Experience shows such capacity quickly serves outside sources. Without clear restrictions, this risks becoming a regional dump.
Third.
The Chusovaya basin is hydrogeologically fragile (karst, fractures). Government reports from 2006–2007 showed metal and phenol excesses even without this new landfill. A dual geocomposite is not enough over 30–50 years. PNTZ does not disclose emergency reservoirs or inspection schedules. This is critical information!
Also, while Cheremsha is not a fishery river, it flows into Chusovaya—a drinking water source for downstream communities.
Fourth.
PNTZ cites European “success,” yet EU Directive 1999/31/EC aims to reduce landfill disposal to ≤10% by 2035. Untreated waste is no longer accepted. Europe focuses on sealed hazardous waste modules and recycling, not new landfills.
Fifth.
The letter mentions a “lab” and external agencies but no details on indicators, publication frequency, or public participation. For example, Volzhsky Pipe Plant publishes no annual groundwater/air data—yet locals report odors and dust!
If PNTZ refers to other plants, we need their confirmed water/air reports—and local labs should permit independent audits.
Sixth.
The “double anti-filtration barrier” is promising, but what is the bentonite mat thickness, geomembrane type, and weld inspection rate? GOST R 56598-2015, sec. 7.3 mandates non-destructive weld testing be documented!
The “dry” incinerator gas treatment, in my view, is weaker against dioxins than semi-wet systems with scrubbers. Also, stormwater “completely treated” must be checked for microplastics, PAHs, and organochlorines per Rosprirodnadzor Order No. 536 (2021).
Seventh.
If new incinerator emissions arise, Rospotrebnadzor may revise the 500 m buffer. Then what? If already built at the edge—there’s nowhere to retreat.
What financial guarantees will exist for closure? Business may walk away—problems stay. At minimum, an ecological insurance or deposit must be in place.
In summary:
We’ve heard the public and PNTZ’s open position. It's good that dialogue is happening.
The company must disclose a full waste passport—fractions of sludge, slag, oils, galvanic waste. Also: wind dispersion models accounting for the incinerator plume and terrain. Emergency leachate trap plans and valve testing protocols (hydrotests, IR scans) must be published.
If other plants are cited, let’s examine their annual air/water quality reports together.
The PNTZ project must explicitly prohibit third-party waste as a licensing condition. Without it, 320 ha becomes a regional dump. Where are the safeguards?
A public oversight council with sample collection rights and real-time sensors is essential. And PNTZ must consider an insurance or deposit fund for post-closure ecological risks. Any problem—funds are directed to remedy it.
© PAVEL PASHKOV
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