01-03-1985 Council Packet Special Meeting

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The options available through use of centralized processing facilities include materials recovery, waste combustion and co -composting (the composting of mixed waste with a material that is high in nitrogen such as sewage sludge). Central- ized processing is generally referred to as a high-technology approach, because compared with other methods, it uses mcre expensive equipment and facilities; its operating costs are typically higher; it ^equires long-term financing and commitments for waste supply, and is less f;exible to convert to other technol- ogies. The major advantage of the approach, though, is the ability to reliably process large quantities of waste in a • -t period of time. The objectives of processing solid w, ,re to reduce the waste volume, con- vert the waste to usable form or separ.Le materials that can be reused. For example, residential wastes may be processed to recover materials and energy that can be sold. The residual, often grit or ash, requires only a fraction of the disposal capacity that the original waste woul1 have required. In some cases, residuals also have potential for recycling or reuse, for example, as structural fill materials. There are certain risks in establishing facilities to process and recover secon- dary materials and energy from solid wastes. Facilities requiring large invest- ment carry a sizable economic risk, particularly if recoverable commodities enter un, lictable markets. The risk is not so great for low -capital alterna- tives. lne foremost risks are associated with the following: 1) commitments from markets for recovered materials or energy; 2) commitments of sufficient solid waste supplies; 3) reliability of the processing equipment and tech- niques; and 4) financial risks to investors. WASTE REDUCTION Alternatives Reducing the amount of waste can reduce costs of making products, public spend- ing for waste management, the rate of resource consumption and the potential for adverse environmental impacts. There are many ways of reducing waste. Economic incentives have prompted some area manufacturers to initiate programs to minimize energy and material require- ments and waste management problems. Consumer preferences for less packaging, smaller a—' more economical automobiles, recycled or recyclable materials and more durable goods are indicative of a more cost-co,iscious public. Examples of other waste reduction actions include mulching and composting resi- dential yard and garden wastes such as grass clippings and leaves where they are generated. Yard -wastes that can be composted include leaves, grass clip- pings and other organic waste from lawn and garden maintenance. Composting transforms these materials into a usable soil amendment product through con- trolled biological degradation. Waste reduction programs within government establishing policies for buying and using products could reduce total solid waste by about one percent and finan- cially benefit both government and industry. Policies requiring governments to purchase products that contain recycled materials also help to reduce landfill- ing and provide markets for secondary materials.