This paper reports results of laboratory studies on two pretreatment methods, struvite precipitation using aeration with H3PO4 and Fenton oxidation. These methods utilized specific properties of the leachate: high magnesium content (172 mg L-1) for struvite precipitation and a high iron concentration (56 mg L-1) for Fenton treatment. Struvite precipitation (H3PO4, 700 mg L-1) removed 36% of NH3-N and 24% of SCOD. Fenton treatment (at pH 3.5) required 650 mg L-1 of H2O2 and removed 66% of SCOD. The effect of each pretreatment on the returned activated sludge (RAS) was evaluated using respirometry. Both methods reduced the inhibitory effect of the leachate and substantially increased biokinetic parameters. The BOD5/SCOD ratio increased from 0.63 for raw leachate to 0.82 (struvite) and 0.88 (Fenton). Estimation of capital and operational costs of the total leachate treatment indicated that aeration with struvite precipitation, followed by biological treatment, would be the preferred option. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved