From Landfill to the Start of a Sorting Revolution
The closure of Hiriya Landfill marked the end of a 50-year era of waste disposal, during which the famous “Garbage Mountain” was formed. Following the closure, a temporary transfer station was established in 2000 — a solution until advanced waste treatment facilities could be built.
This station marked the beginning of a new era in Israel: the transition to regulated sanitary landfills. It served as a modern infrastructure hub for waste reception and became a key link in the municipal waste management chain.
The Major Upgrade – Mafridan 2022
On October 27, 2022, the station was reopened after a comprehensive upgrade and named “Mafridan” — hinting at the upcoming transformation in 2026, when it will become a modern mechanical sorting plant.
The upgrade process was complex: the station remained fully operational throughout two years of continuous construction work.
Phase 1 of the upgrade included:
- New concrete floors and walls
- Demolition of the old shed and construction of a larger canopy
- Installation of electrical rooms and water, drainage, and fire-fighting infrastructure
- Advanced control and monitoring systems
- One of Israel’s largest air filtration and purification systems
- Renovation of internal roads and sidewalks
How the Station Operates Today
All waste treatment takes place inside a closed facility, following the latest environmental standards:
- Compactor trucks unload waste, which is compressed and loaded onto transfer trucks
- Automatic doors open and close with vehicle entry and exit
- An advanced air filtration system operates at 384,000 m³/hour, with activated carbon and dust filters that remove organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter
- This system prevents odor and air pollution, protecting residents of the Dan metropolitan area
Looking Ahead – 2026
Phase 2 of the project is scheduled for completion by end of 2026, during which mechanized sorting systems will be installed within the upgraded facility.
The new capabilities will include:
- Processing approximately 1,500 tons of waste per day
-
Sorting into four main waste streams:
- Organic material
- Plastics
- Metals
- Residuals for landfill
This will achieve a historic milestone: 100% of waste arriving at Hiriya Recycling Park will be sorted and separated, with no direct disposal to landfill.
The project is estimated at 110 million NIS, jointly funded by the Dan Region Association for Sanitation and the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
The station is operated by Green Dekel Ltd.
Summary
The Mefridan Transfer Station is more than just a logistical hub — it is a symbol of dramatic change in waste management in Israel:
- From a polluting landfill to a modern, clean, and controlled system
- From landfilling as the only solution to sorting, recycling, and energy recovery
- From a vision for the future to a sustainable reality that prevents environmental hazards and returns valuable materials to the circular economy