ENERGY AND RECYCLING Every year, more than two million tons of municipal solid waste is generated in Pinellas County. To meet the challenge of managing the waste stream, an integrated approach is used by Pinellas County Solid Waste: 1. 2. 3. Reduce, reuse and recycle: Identify, coordinate and promote opportunities for citizens to practice the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to minimize the amount of waste generated in our community. Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Facility: Utilize incineration to reduce the volume of waste to be landfilled by 90% and convert waste to energy to produce electricity for up to 45,000 households. Also, metals are recovered from the ash and recycled. Landfill: Most of the incoming garbage is processed in the WTE facility, but the landfill is required for waste that cannot be burned, waste that exceeds capacity at the WTE and ash resulting from the WTE process. The mission of Pinellas County Solid Waste is to provide safe, competitive and environmentally sound integrated solid waste services to all citizens. These services emphasize public awareness to enable our citizens to make educated choices concerning proper management of their solid waste. Waste-to-Energy Facility The Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility has the capacity to burn 3,150 tons of garbage every day. The WTE facility processes about one million tons of garbage every year. The process can produce up to 75 megawatts (MW) per hour of electricity. It sells about 60 MW to Progress Energy for distribution within the community, and the remainder powers the plant itself. This electricity powers approximately 45,000 homes and businesses every day. The WTE facility uses state-of-the-art air pollution control technology, which continuously monitors WTE emissions, ensuring the plant’s emissions fall within the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards. Waste-to-Energy Plant Diagrams Ash generated from the combustion of solid waste is transferred to the adjacent Residue Storage and Processing Building. Here, the ash is size-separated using screens, and both ferrous (steel) and nonferrous (aluminum) metals are recovered from the ash using mechanical equipment such as magnets and eddy currents. The recovered metals are sold to steel mills and smelters for recycling, and the remaining ash is used for landfill cover and interior site berms and roadways. Why Recycle? It is vital to recycle and reduce waste here in Pinellas County because we have only one landfill. Recycling is also important for social, economic, and environmental reasons. Did you know that over 75% of the trash in Pinellas County could be recycled? Recycling programs, along with waste reduction and waste diversion programs help to conserve landfill space and ensure a sustainable future. How can we conserve our resources? Curbside and Drop-Off Recycling In Pinellas County, all citizens have access to recycling through curbside or drop-off programs for items such as aluminum, cardboard, glass, newspaper, mixed paper, plastic, steel, and yard waste. Electronics and Chemical Recycling The electronics and chemical recycling program provides a free, safe way to handle hazardous waste such as batteries, pesticides, or old computers. Beach Recycling The Gulf Beaches Recycling Program is rolling out to Pinellas County Beaches and Parks. More locations are continually being added. Park and beachgoers have a convenient way to recycle their aluminum cans, plastic & glass bottles and other recyclable materials. Look for the blue recycling containers located on the beaches, in the parks and in the parking areas. Visitors can use these containers to drop off their recyclables when they arrive and leave the various locations. Yard Waste Recycling and Free Mulch Through the yard waste recycling program, leaves, branches, and other forms of yard waste are processed into mulch that is available to the public free of charge. Over 100,000 tons of yard waste is recycled each year in Pinellas County. There are 20 free mulch sites located around the County. Business Recycling Businesses generate a majority of Pinellas County’s solid waste, and much of this could be reduced, reused, or recycled. Pinellas County’s Cutting Waste at Work program provides free assistance to help businesses or non-profit organizations reduce waste and conserve resources. School Paper Recycling Teachers and students can participate in their school's paper recycling program. Recycling paper at school saves resources and encourages students to make recycling a lifetime habit. Used Motor Oil Recycling Attention, do-it-yourself oil changers, the County has a used motor oil recycling program. You can take used motor oil to any of over 60 locations (such as Autozone or Advance Auto Parts stores) to be recycled for free. Recycling used motor oil prevents pollution and decreases our dependence on foreign oil supplies. Recycled Reefs The Pinellas County reef program is an innovative way to recycle demolition and construction debris such as old bridges or boats. Clean concrete and steel debris are used to construct artificial reefs. These underwater reefs create valuable habitats for fish and other sea life, which in turn benefits fishermen and divers. Buying Recycled Products Recycling only works when you buy products made with recycled materials. This “closes the loop” between simply collecting recyclables and actually recycling them by creating markets for the materials. Items commonly made with recycled materials include paper products, plastic lumber, cardboard, aluminum cans, and steel cans. Look for “made with recycled materials” or “post-consumer recycled content” on the products you buy. Questions Park bench made from recycled plastic milk jugs. 1. What are three ways that Pinellas County is trying to manage the waste system? Please use evidence from the article and site the paragraph(s) number(s). 2. What happens in the waste – to – energy facility? Use evidence from the article and site the paragraph(s) you used. 3. How is the waste – to – energy facility helping the areas around it? Use evidence from the article and site the paragraph(s) you used. 4. How can one person or place have an impact in reducing our waste? Use evidence from the article and site the paragraph(s) you used. 5. How can you help aid the conservation of materials? You must devise a plan using at least three ways (you may use them from above) you can help manage the waste stream. You need to explain what would happen and how it would have an impact. Use evidence from the article and site the paragraph(s) number(s) you used.