Hello dear Hivers and friends!
This is my first post in the Weekend Experiences Community after a long absence of about 9 months after a devastating life ordeal. Now, this post about waste disposal might not be of great interest to others but I feel I need to share this here about the importance of ecology in our world. It was a learning experience for me to have participated in this ecology festival and I am glad I joined in.
Deponie Rautenweg Fest ...Sunday - June 4, 2023
"I wanted to see the goats!"
The many goats at the city landfill Rautenweg have been my interest since I used to see them while driving along the road parallel to the fenced area "mowing" the grass of the landfill. And when I got a flier invitation (below) about the festival last Sunday - June 4, I was excited to go, it was a tour on ecology and I am really glad I came because I learned a lot from it. The festival was sponsored by MA48, the Waste Management Department of the city. They explained how the residual waste of the whole city is being processed step by step.
The first and foremost reason why I went is because of the goats, I wanted to see how they live in the area. Sometime in the 90's, the first goats from Pinzgau, a district in Salzburg, came which had been composed of a mother-goat with 2 kids and a daughter. It was kind of an experiment on how well they would live there. It was a success because over the years, more than 100 kids were born and later deployed back to their natural habitat in the Alps region.
I am not a climate activist, but it is basic for me to understand the environmental issues because they affect our health physically and mentally. We only need to look at the wastes thrown, for example, in the ocean which greatly affects all animals living in the water. And we humans are affected too because we need them for food.
The Landfill Trail
We got a ticket according to the time slot I had..we were a group of about 13 plus the 2 guides and went up by foot climbing the never ending stairs which I called the "thousand steps". For me at my age, it was a "torture" (lol!) but it was fun! I survived though and my prize had been getting to the goat enclosure where I made grass feeding to a couple of young goats.
I learned from our guide that the gathered residual waste is taken into incineration plants for burning which produces heat and electricity used to heat schools and supply them with energy. The metals included in the ashes are taken out and are being recycled, then the rest is mixed with cement, water and sand. The ash slag is taken in the landfill and with heavy rollers, they are flattened then soil is added on its top layer so that plants and animals could settle in the area.
According to MA48, the landfill´s huge grounds are sealed with dense walls built all over so that this would prevent the water from getting into the environment. The water under the landfill is being pumped out and sent to the treatment plant for cleaning which then flows into the Danube Canal. It was a new experience for me as all taxpayers , individuals and companies in the city pay a lot of fees for waste disposal.
I was relieved (lol!) that the tour ended after 45 minutes because it was very humid at lunchtime. Then we started to descend to the stall and goats enclosure. We passed by these granite rocks and we were told that these came from the Reichsbrücke in Vienna that collapsed in 1976. Some of these were used as support for the slopes of the landfill
The Goats Enclosure
There were not many goats, just about 6 of them. Normally in some days they could be more than 30 roaming around a certain area, perhaps they put the rest somewhere else during the festival. I tried feeding them but only the younger goats came and the older one which seemed to the big boss was so "hard headed" and didn´t move a bit...just stared at me like a stone while I whispered to him about the grass...he was like saying to me "what do you want from me?!...I am full!"
Just before I went down, a guide or area watcher who was very friendly and funny obliged to pose with me as my remembrance of this event.
Back to the festivities...
I must say, they have really made a good organization of all festivities.. There was entertainment, live band, food and drinks and games for the kids, a flea market (where I bought 3 cooking books). And all the visitors with their families were happy.
LET-Z 37 Celak , assembly tool to practice the know-how of young Car Auto Mechanic Apprentice. The newbies of MA48 have to put back the dismantled machine parts to prove what they can.
Below, some sweets for the young and the oldies.
I got these cooking books at a fraction of a cost, the proceeds of which will go to the animal shelter nearby.
All in all, for me, the tour was successful despite the "thousand stairs" and the high humidity and I have learned the importance of the processing of waste and its effect on the environment. I have to give a thumbs up for these people for doing a good job, really!
Location: Deponie Rautenweg 83
1220 Vienna, Austria
Thanks for reading my blog!
It is nice to read about how other countries do their share of keeping the environment clean through a waste disposal system. It was not only a learning experience but there was entertainment, it was well organized. Thank you for sharing.
Indeed, before I went I thought not to expect something great, but the infos were really good . Thanks for dropping by.
Thank you for sharing your experience at the ecological festival, it is important that we all become aware of waste management and the impact it has on the environment and our well-being. It is interesting to learn about the process used in the city to deal with waste and how the energy is harnessed for the benefit of the community. Also, the visit to the goats and the barn enclosure are an example of how one can live in harmony with nature. I'm glad you enjoyed the event and learned new things and have a nice day.
Yep, was indeed a great experience and I am truly glad that this curiosity led into a new knowledge of the waste disposal. I live in Spain during the winter months and the goats have priorities when they cross the roads...all vehicles must stop and wait until the last goat kid or lamb cross the street and oh boy, the herd is huge and takes time for them to pass. If you are the driver, you have to have patience, lol!
That was a Great Post!
Lots of info, and...
I am partial to Deutschland and surrounding countries, it's where I basically grew up. So beautiful, and really they care a lot about the environment - more than most places!
Well, Vienna really does it too, we have a good system here... I´ve been living here for 40 years and I must say the infrastructure is one of the best in the world. That is also one reason why some Europeans are flocking to the city because of the amenities such as health system, etc. We came out as the most liveable city in the world in 2022. Thanks for leaving a lovely comment.
Looks like you enjoyed the tour ma'am @mers you seem to put you're interest on things that can help others. One day I wanted to post on places that I'm going to be visiting too 😍😍😍 I love all the photos
Thank you for reading this post. Yes I did enjoy the tour although it was so humid, but I managed... lol!
They are so good to have this kind of festival and I think you enjoyed it. Na cover ang iyong pag-iisa.
Well, I keep myself busy and as much as possible have time to explore the surroundings.. there are many events for Summer here and in a couple of weeks the 40th - 3 day Donaufest (Danube Festival) is about to take place and it will be fun. I remember its first year, Peter and I attended the open air concerts, there were many of them. It was fantastic!
Now, you will be alone watching it. I hope that you always take good care of yourself.
I have friends who are tagging me along, so no worries. Thanks.
Good my dear.
Great to know that your city has this kind of waste management.
Glad you survived the "thousand stairs" 🙂
Sure glad I made it to the goats...had been the turning last point of the trail.
I was fix and foxy from the humidity and heat. Hahaha. Thanks.
Wow, what long interesting post! Your experienced is a rare event and very knowledgable to protect our mother earth.
True , it was a nice event, very informative. Thanks for dropping by.