Alternatives
Landfills aren’t long-term solutions for waste management. They are examples of dated technology. The process of filling a hole in the ground with our waste has been around for centuries. Although some improvements have been made, landfills tend to waste resources. These facilities require a large footprint, bury recyclable resources, release greenhouse gases, and can create a number of environmental issues if they are improperly managed or are sited.
Today there are a number of options available to communities. Nationally, communities have worked to increase their recycling rates and have invested in a variety of waste-to-energy technologies. This is done to reduce a community’s reliance on landfills and to create a way to recover resources. We must make sure we consider all our options.
Expand the Waste-to-Energy facility
This facility does more than get rid of our solid waste; it provides our County with economic stability. That’s because Pasco County receives around $15 million a year for the energy the plant produces. Some estimates have suggested that Pasco could get closer to $22 million a year by expanding the plant. This makes sense both economically and environmentally, as waste-to-energy is a proven technology that turns our wastes into usable community resources.
In fact, there are many new cutting-edge technologies available (Plasma-arc) that turn our waste into gas. Not only is this gas cleaner than natural gas but it can even be used to generate electricity. We would have to pay for this technology and an expansion. But like many municipalities (St. Lucie County, FL) that are already moving in this direction, we believe we could recoup our investment over a short period of time.
Recycling
When we recycle we save natural resources. What many people don’t realize is that recycling is also a form of waste reduction. It’s a pretty simple proposition: If it gets recycled or reused, then it doesn’t go to the landfill.
We need to stop throwing our money in the garbage. Right now, Pasco only recycles about one percent of its municipal solid waste. Mandatory recycling could significantly reduce Pasco’s solid waste stream like it has in many other communities around the world. By investing in the County’s recycling program and encouraging people to support it, we could save space, money and resources. Everyone wins—including the environment. Dumping your recyclables in the trash is like putting money down the disposal.