Trash to Cash
July 28th, 2008. Filed under: Monday's Musings.
Over the last two year period, our county solid waste operation made $55.7 million profit. This money came from tipping fees, electricity sales and recycling. For the first time sales of scrap metal and other recyclables, including paper and plastics began to generate a small profit. Right now the county is using most of the profit to pay for a major overhaul of our waste-to-energy facility, but there is still some cash to go around. Enough that in 2009, the county is considering picking up the tab of an estimated $10 million for curbside recycling in all 24 municipalities and in the unincorporated county.
Right now there are only three cities here who do not provide curbside recycling. I live in one of them. I’m hoping that my city will be included in this bonanza. If not, I’ll continue to drop mine off. There are 64 drop off sites here in the county. I’ve chosen one of the larger sites where I can drop off aluminum cans, appliances/mixed metal, corrugated cardboard, glass, mixed paper/magazines, newspapers, plastic bottles and yard waste.
We also have special sites for electronics & chemicals. motor oil and business waste. The household electronics and chemical collection center not only accepts chemicals and electronics, but also offers free usable household products including paint, cleaners and gardening products.
I’m going to have to make another run to drop off my recyclables next week. I think I’m going to dress down, take a container or two and a shovel so that I can pick up some mulch for my flower beds. For expending just a little energy, I will get in some exercise, soak up some vitamin D from the sun and bring home some free high quality landscaping mulch. The weed seeds, pest insects and plant diseases are eliminated by a natural heating and decomposition process prescribed by the University of Florida.
Emmm, that’s sounding like a bit of work there. Maybe I’d better go early so that I can stop by the beach and relax for awhile before I have to go home and unload it all.