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.