R3 - Management in Demil Operations: Today and Tomorrow
Abstract
Increasing environmental performance in munition demil during 50 years After World War II surplus munition in Sweden was dumped in lakes, mines and in the open sea. During the late 60's environmental concerns led to a ban on dumping. OB/OD therefore became the main method for demil of munitions. Growing environmental concern in the 70's resulted in a small scale start of industrialized demil which during the 80's steadily increased. During the 90's demilitarization of munition has been characterized by focus on recovery, reuse and recycling. This is due to a more rigorous environmental legislation coupled with an awakening environmental awareness in the Armed Forces and the discovery that an environmentally adapted demil process can be economically beneficial compared to OB/OD. A high degree of resource recovery and reuse (R3) is now obtained in the demil process, but some problems remain e.g. smoke and illuminating ammunition. Some approaches to handle these challenges are discussed. The problem with the old dump sites are also discussed: a survey has been performed in order to locate the numerous sites and measures are taken to investigate the risk for ecological effects. The dumped ammunition also constitutes a potential safety problem at some of the locations, both with regard to unintentional handling by the public and by potential detonation of unstable munition. (Some results from examination of dumped ammunition are presented).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADP010596
Entities
People
- Bengt Stromsteadt
- Hanna Hornstrom