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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01-15-2009 Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee January 15, 2009 meeting minutes Present: Dr. Bobbi Conti, JP Gellerman, Robert Tabor, Jim Sculley, Donna Rhoden, Erick Winterstein, Leon Camarda Staff and Guests: Sandra Bogan, ERD; Leo Cordeiro, Solid Waste; Ron Roberts, Solid Waste *********************************************************************** The meeting was called to order at 3:15 A motion to approve the November 13, 2008 minutes was made and seconded, with a unanimous vote. Leo Cordeiro, Director of St. Lucie County’s Solid Waste Department, and Ron Roberts, Assistant Director gave a presentation to the committee. They passed out hand-outs with information on various issues related to waste management. This included looking at toxic materials introduced into the waste stream, comparison on materials like paper cups versus ceramic cups to determine which is more ‘green,’ and examples of emissions from the various ways we process our waste. Ron showed the committee the success the solid waste facility has had in recycling or re- purposing products, which included: 28,000 Bulbs over last 3 months 14,000 Batteries in last 7 months (only rechargeables, non-rechargeables are not hazardous; home depot recycles too, kept at return counter) 10,000 End of life electronics 22 mill lbs Metal since 2001 70 mill lbs Wood – which they sell for fuel 584,000 lbs Dirt 10 mill lbs OCC (cardboard, etc.) 5,000 tanks Propane Construction and Demolition processing produces recycling of wood, concrete, dirt (~20%) Staff also spoke about the special electronics recycling days that are held two times per year in Port St. Lucie in the Public Works offices on Thornhill Road, which provides another avenue for residents to recycle their electronics. Ron Roberts believes there will be a time in the not-so-distant future when there will be no landfills. Instead waste will be processed to produce energy through things like gasification, microbial catalysts, or fermentation, etc. Staff discussed the current situation that has occurred with the market downturn -- recyclable materials, such as glass and plastic, have become less valued; while cardboard and paper materials went from showing a profit, to actually costing the landfill to have the product shipped off-site. Therefore, the Solid Waste Department is not recycling paper products at this time, but continues to collect other materials. The group discussed that recycling and reusing materials should not only be done if it brings in money, but instead is part of acting responsibly and sustainably. Unfortunately, Leo pointed out that the Solid Waste Department is an Enterprise Fund, and must fund its complete operation through tipping fees and viable markets. He further pointed out that his department usually turns back $1 million each year to the county’s general fund. The committee discussed that waste management should be a basic function of government and that it should not be an enterprise fund, but citizens may need to subsidize it. Leo said that that was raised as an issue in the past, but voters denied it. The group also discussed the need to have more transfer stations to make it more convenient for people to properly discard their recyclables or hazardous materials, including compact fluorescent bulbs. It was suggested that these should be strategically located, for example, the Logistics Center is centrally located, the UDT museum may be a good spot on the North Island, etc. Leo pointed out that it is a bit more complicated than that, as there would have to be a person present to take the items properly and ensure there are no dangerous chemicals being released or mixed together. This would mean a paid position, plus transport to the landfill. The committee thought these were ideas to investigate, even if it needs to be considered in the future, once the economy turns around. The meeting was adjourned at 4:15. The committee took a tour of the facility to see how the tilting floor and CFL recycler worked.