If you’ve ever paid a visit to the local dump, you probably know that it’s no garden spot. But you may be surprised to learn that these towering landmarks are receiving a makeover. More and more, communities and municipalities are taking efforts to make landfills “greener.” Discarded diapers, tires, banana peels, and beer bottles are giving way to recycling facilities. And, these efforts are creating big profits for the surrounding communities.
In McElhattan, Pennsylvania, the Clinton County Solid Waste Authority’s landfill has been the site of some amazing environmental successes. Research shows that the landfill receives about 12,500 tons of waste monthly, which arrives in 75-125 trucks daily.
But after careful research, it was found that about 54 tons of recyclable materials could be removed from the landfill each month. This includes 40 tons of wood, 12 tons of metal, and two tons of cardboard. And all of this was done with just an excavator, grappler and magnet. Once removed, the recyclable materials are stored in individual areas. Next, they’re processed and recycled. Finally, these materials are sold at the highest prices possible, with the profits going back to the waste authority.
“It’s all about recovering recyclables out of the waste stream,” says Landfill Manager Jay Alexander. “By doing so, we can make some money for the landfill and reduce the amount of trash we store, extending the life of the landfill.”
And this landfill recycling idea is not a new idea; Alexander came up with it around six years before. “A landfill is nothing more than a stockpile for material we haven’t figured out how to economically recycle.”
Additionally, the landfill recycling program has helped to put other environmental efforts into action. This facility is now the site of such activities as: capturing methane gas for heating fuel; a recycling center for tires, glass, cardboard and other materials; and a mulching operation. Plus, there’s one other “green” touch at the landfill. A herd of about 35 donated goats roam the grounds, grazing on grass and other vegetation. You can find more information about recycling by clicking on DumpsterSource.com.
SOURCE: http://www.lockhaven.com/page/content.detail/id/511466.html
