The City of Montgomery has approved a slashed budget that will eliminate the jobs of some employees and the city's curbside recycling program. I've taken part in that program the last few years, adopting it because it felt like the right thing to do. I had done stories about all of the stuff like dead electronics heading to landfills, and wanted to help in a tiny way toward keeping at least some stuff out. Each week I put out my orange bag, knowing it was a sand speck compared to the tons of refuse being collected for the landfill by the city's trucks.
But at least it was something!
The other day, just before the City Council voted on the proposal, Mayor Todd Strange was a guest on
CBS 8 This Morning and I was able to ask him about it. I dramatically pulled out my (empty) recycling bag as a prop. Said Mr. Mayor: only 25% of the population took part, and only 25% of what was collected was actually recycled. The other 75% per cent went to the landfill.
The Mayor's appearance was the first time I've had a politician on the interview segment, and it was like a mini-
For The Record...and I do mean mini...about 8 minutes with callers. As a result I didn't have the time to ask the follow up I should have. Instead of throwing out the recycleables with the bath water, why not do a better job convincing residents to take part, and do a better job explaining what should, and should not, be put in the bags(presuming that's why so little was actually recycled.) or find out why the sorting process was so inefficient. Too late, both to ask the questions and to revive the program, I suppose, since the city council subsequently approved the budget without no money for the recycling program.
But at least it was something!
The other day, just before the City Council voted on the proposal, Mayor Todd Strange was a guest on CBS 8 This Morning and I was able to ask him about it. I dramatically pulled out my (empty) recycling bag as a prop. Said Mr. Mayor: only 25% of the population took part, and only 25% of what was collected was actually recycled. The other 75% per cent went to the landfill.
The Mayor's appearance was the first time I've had a politician on the interview segment, and it was like a mini-For The Record...and I do mean mini...about 8 minutes with callers. As a result I didn't have the time to ask the follow up I should have. Instead of throwing out the recycleables with the bath water, why not do a better job convincing residents to take part, and do a better job explaining what should, and should not, be put in the bags(presuming that's why so little was actually recycled.) or find out why the sorting process was so inefficient. Too late, both to ask the questions and to revive the program, I suppose, since the city council subsequently approved the budget without no money for the recycling program.
Every ton of recyclables generates a certain amount of revenue. Every ton that goes to the landfill costs the same per ton as non-recyclable trash. Hiz Honor has never thought about this. His method is slash and burn to get budget inline. There a number of proven methods to increase deposits in curbside recycling programs. Hiz Honor notion of having citizens take recrylables to collection boxes has proven to be a consistent loser for most cities
ReplyDeleteThe mayor is strange. He wants to put employees out of work, thus increasing the welfare and social service rolls.
ReplyDeleteThe guys I see on the big orange trucks are earning a decent wage, have benefits and insurance, and are not a burden on society. They work hard at a dangerous job.
But as Anonymous said, the Strange mayor has a slash-and-burn policy which will make the city that much less livable.
Like you Tim, I'm eager to "do my part," that is, to contribute something other than waste (LOL).
ReplyDeleteSome years ago, in Huntsville/Madison county, there was an ingenious idea proposed which has to date, been a significant, if only partial solution for area waste. It's a "self-sustaining" proposition, one which is a win-win for everyone. And, it's the only one of its type in Alabama.
Focusing on the "reduce, reuse, recycle" triad, the Solid Waste Disposal Authority of the City of Huntsville imagined a creative solution to an ever-growing, and unsustainable problem - what to do with the garbage?
Using time-tested and proven ideas, and incorporated with new, state-of-the-art technology, they imagined a solution to a previously unsustainable and costly two-fold problem that answered in part four even greater and pressing needs... money, space, time and energy.
In an almost ideal situation, such a solution would have no or low environmental impact, be sustainable, efficient, cost effective, create a usable product or solution, be widely available, low-maintenance, able to be reproduced, and eco-friendly.
Discovering the sky was not the limit, the Rocket City exceeded their own expectations.
Combining good, old-fashioned, common sense with rocket science, Madison county residents looked to the past as a model for their future.
Nothing happens, it's said, unless something (a product, good or service) is created or sold. In Huntsville's scenario, landfill space was reduced, waste products was reused and recycled, a new product was created, sold and widely distributed, operational costs lowered, and long-term, good-paying jobs in the community were created.
What is this modern marvel?
Before I answer that question, let me share more.
Solid waste is only part of city's waste disposal problems. Sludge from wastewater treatment plants is another growing concern. Faced with increasing restrictions on where and how such sludge can be used, employed or disposed, municipalities are facing growing costs associated with sewage.
Huntsville's solution incorporated that aspect of the three-fold reduce, reuse, recycle equation.
By now Tim, you and your readers may have some idea about what practical, time-tested, eco-friendly and sustainable solution we imagined.
If not, here it is: we burn our trash and sewage sludge, converting it into steam energy for electricity and other uses.
Regarding any concern about odiferous aesthetic (smell)... there is no lingering malodor associated with it.
To give you and your readers an idea about the efficiency, ecological friendliness, and viability of such an operation, here are some important points.
• Waste burns at 2000°F
• Volume reduced - contents of one garbage truck are reduced into one wheelbarrow
• 690 tons/day can be converted into energy
• Tipping fees have remained constant for well over a decade
• Operational and monitored 365 days/year
• Metals removed before ash burial
• Air quality maintained by a dry flue gas scrubber
• Particulate matter captured by a fabric filter baghouse
• No acid gas emissions
• Complies with all federal, state and local environmental requirements
• Steam sold to Redstone Arsenal
• Owned by City of Huntsville
Additional information can be found at their website:
http://www.swdahsv.org/
Ahhh, Kevin. I thought you were going to say that the city bought a herd of goats to take care of the garbage!
ReplyDeleteIf a city like Troy, Alabama, can have a top notch curbside pickup program, there's no reason Montgomery can't. Maybe we should learn a lesson from our neighbors to the South. Thanks, Mr. Lennox, for covering this issue. We hope to be a part of a citizen bloc that cares enough about it to keep this issue on the front burner for local policy makers.
ReplyDeleteIs the Troy program part of the gummint program, or is it contracted to a private company?
ReplyDelete