ThoseEnvironment in Geneva
The illegal sandy is emptying with delay
In Avusy, the site for recycling site waste must evacuate its materials in late July. This period probably cannot be held, but the departure remains set at the end of December.
The 3.4 hectares must be returned to agriculture. The state ensures that the soils are not contaminated.
GEORGES CABRERA
- There are 55,000 m³ of materials to be evacuated, according to the canton.
- The company is dependent on construction sites to evacuate recycled waste.
- The polluted land must in any case return to agriculture in late 2026.
Under the Champagne sun, the back and forth of the trucks continue. The mountains of rubble still stand in front of the fields. At their feet, the mechanical shovels activate. In Avusy, La Sablière du Canelet Prepares to bend baggage, but it has not yet been done. The deadline for emptying this site for recycling site waste, in three weeks, will probably not be held. The final departure, on the other hand, is still set at December 2025 for a return to agriculture a year later.
This company has been operated without authorization for twenty years and has been the subject of a long judicial saga. Its 3.4 hectares must now be returned to agriculture. Despite several legal attempts to postpone the deadline, the evacuation of waste was set for July 31.
Crush beyond the period
This is probably not the case. Contacted, La Sablière did not respond to our requests. But the state confirms. “They will undoubtedly have to be crushed beyond the date scheduled to release all the remaining materials,” confirms Jacques Martelain, director of the geology service, soils and waste (Gesdec). The idea is to be able to evacuate the recycled materials permanently, after their valuation, and not put them in landfill. ”
According to the latest drone surveys transmitted to the “Tribune de Genève”, there are still 12,000 m3 of raw waste (demolition concrete) on site) to be treated, stored and recycled. In addition to stocks of bricks, terracotta and other waste, there are 43,000 m3 of materials already treated (serious). This is less than what had been recorded in April – with 42,000 and 50,000 m respectively3 – But too much to evacuate everything within three weeks.
Not enough sites
If the company tries to sell its stock on the construction sites, there are not numerous enough to evacuate everything quickly. “It is therefore very likely that the surplus of the materials present on the site should be evacuated to be stored or valued in other outlets,” said a recent response from the Council of State to the deputy Sylvain Thévoz.
The Cesdec On the other hand, will not compromise on the release date of the site, at the end of December. And this is closely monitored: the state says it conduct regular checks. “The deadlines are not strictly respected, but otherwise everything is done in the rules,” continues the cantonal geologist. We ask them for regular statements using drones, and we assure that they no longer accept new materials. ”
What if the company should not release the site in time? The State would take in hand the evacuation work, the costs of which would be borne by the company. Because as early as 2026, the restoration will have to begin.
The back and forth of trucks are still frequent to clear the site, which still has 55,000 m³ of materials, according to the latest drone surveys.
GEORGES CABRERA
Polluted soil, but not contaminated
In what state is the ground under the rubble? Two years ago, the state asked the sand maker to diagnose water: with concrete, the too high presence of Chrome 6 was to be dismissed. Verdict, the site is polluted, but not contaminated and does not need surveillance. Once the installations are dismantled, all you have to do is redevelop.
According to the State, there would be no other pollutant in the basement: when a land receives mineral materials such as the shrub, there are no more substances than in a discharge. Drilling was still carried out to ensure that the water table was not affected. One was done upstream immediately of the site, the other downstream, but outside the perimeter, as provided for in the law.
No analysis was carried out on the presence of PFAS, the per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances. We will know when updating the cadastre of polluted sites in the months and years to come, the state indicates. Who specifies: since the site is an old discharge, there is a good chance of finding PFAS in groundwater.
Meanwhile, the Sablière du Cannelet has found a exit door: the Foundation for Industrial Lands (FTI) offered a site to Vernier. “There is a commitment between the parties and a contract has been signed for the provision of land,” says the foundation. But it is not for immediately: building authorization is still under investigation.
The site has been operated without authorization for decades. He should move to Vernier.
GEORGES CABRERA
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