L.A. Puts City Trash Problem on Docket
Posted on: Tuesday, 6 September 2005, 15:00 CDT
A City Council committee that oversees recycling efforts in Los Angeles will meet Tuesday to discuss recycling projects and other alternatives to dumping trash in urban landfills.
RENEW LA -- Recovering Energy, Natural Resources and Economic Benefit from Waste for Los Angeles -- is hoping to come up with plans to make the city more environmentally conscious while cutting its ties with Browning-Ferris Industries of California, operator of the Sunshine Canyon landfill in Granada Hills.
The City Council voted Aug. 9 to delay a decision until February on whether to approve a five-year renewal contract with BFI. In the meantime, the council is hoping to find another landfill and alternative ways of disposing of the city's waste.
BFI's $24 million-a-year contract with the city expires July 1.
RENEW LA will discuss a City Council motion that would allow a three-year contract renewal with BFI, with two one-year options to extend the deal.
The five-member panel chaired by Councilman Greig Smith will also talk about "alternative technologies" that would convert household waste into beneficial uses.
Los Angeles dumps about 1 million tons of waste annually at Sunshine Canyon, and the city has no alternative storage site.
Supporters of a BFI contract extension say dumping the city's trash at another landfill would be more costly. Opponents argue it's time for the city to find alternative ways of handling its trash, such as initiating stronger recycling and reuse programs.
About 3,600 tons of trash are dumped daily at Sunshine Canyon, and no new landfill sites are expected to be developed close to Los Angeles.
Under its current contract with BFI, the city receives $15 per ton for recycled waste, which is deposited in blue bins or hand- sorted from black bins under the direction of the Bureau of Sanitation.
Some 750,000 city households have recycling bins. However, 600,000 more units, most located in multi-family developments, lack quick access to the bins.
A proposal to build a dump in San Diego County is still undergoing permitting and public review.
Source: Daily Breeze
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