Immediate report of Victoria University of Wellington Antarctic Expedition 1989-90: VUWAE 34
Environmental Impact
Environmental Impact
Garbage Disposal
All rubbish from the expedition was sorted into "Burnable" and "Non Burnable" bags and back-loaded to Scott Base. When old campsites and other "rubbish" was found throughout the valley this was treated in the same manner and back-loaded to Scott Base.
Waste water was disposed of in a "sludge pit" system located on a high sandy knoll to minimise risk of pollution to the rivers and lakes. The "sludge pit" was dug out at the end of the season and back-loaded to Scott Base. In the future a "sludge pit" container would be more environmentally suitable to trap food scraps and fatty liquids. Once frozen these could be returned to Scott Base for disposal.
Human waste from the field toilet was double bagged and returned to Scott Base for further disposal.