County aims to take closer look at trash
Panel to study ways to recycle more, save landfill space, cash
A plan billed as a first step toward better solid-waste management in Charleston County received council approval on Tuesday.
Council will appoint a blue-ribbon panel of experts and residents to study how it handles household trash and construction and demolition debris. A consultant would be hired to analyze county solid waste operations. The county spends $41 million annually for solid waste disposal.
"It's a ridiculous amount of money," Councilwoman Colleen Condon said.
Each house generates on average 3,000 pounds of trash annually, a figure that could be reduced by more than half through better recycling, she said. "I am not proposing mandatory recycling, but instead making sure we take advantage of every opportunity to voluntarily keep another bottle out of the landfill or incinerator," Condon said.
About 70 percent of county solid waste is incinerated and buried at the Bees Ferry landfill. The remaining trash is buried whole at the landfill, which is projected to reach capacity by the year 2030.
Also at issue is whether the council will reverse a decision to stop using the incinerator in 2010. Without the incinerator, the landfill is expected reach capacity by 2024.
Condon and Councilman Curtis Bostic presented the plan, which includes immediate practical measures to improve Bees Ferry landfill operations. A regularly scheduled crew from the Charleston County Detention Center will pick up litter. The Sheriff's Office would step up enforcement for littering. And the county would communicate more effectively with neighbors and the public about the landfill.
The proposal was generally well-received, but Councilman Curtis Inabinett asked for more time to study it. "I would just like to have a bit more discussion before we take a definitive vote. I feel like I am being rushed into this because it was just presented to me in its entirety," Inabinett said.
Bostic said all of his proposals regarding solid-waste management are ideas that have been generated previously at Council. "I'm not asking for sweeping, wholesale changes," he said.
Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 6 comment(s)
Posted by landfillbash on May 21, 2008 at 3:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
County Coucilman Mr. Curtis Bostic has certainly taken the lead in listening to the residents of West Ashley. At a special council meeting last night he outlined a 9 point plan with all points being very sound. One of the 9 points is to communicate with Berkley & Dorchester Counties to possibly have a tri-county landfill. Charleston County's land is not suitable for a quality landfill because of its lowlands. Mr. Bostic, your on the same page with the Bees Ferry Road residents and we thank you for your hard work on this.
Posted by zoomru on May 21, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Taxpayer 9 point IMPLEMENTATION:
1) A panel for review of solutions is needed. BUT NOT FROM OUTSIDE OUR STATE??
2) Grab SCE&G by the ear and ask for a detailed grid tie-in and schedule
3) Have summit with chairperson from all counties in the STATE at the convention center and hammer out the proper paperwork to be sent up to the STATEHOUSE to get a bond referendum on the november ballot to close OUR landfills.
4) Issue tax free state or county municiple bonds to pay for the awarded machines
5) "COMMUNICATE" to all business owners/The CITADEL, and other counties seeking county funds that that need to submit records showing how much trash they send to the landfill so that they can get the associated "REFUND" added on to the money they are seeking. (ie. The Citadel received 300k for the next 10 years....shouldn't get get an additional amount for the amount of trash that is generated and SOLD? The North Charleston Convention Center? Daniel Island Tennis Center? Joe Riley Stadium?)
6) SOLUTIONS from their BOSS, the county taxpayers should be presented first....NOT at the END. No long comments... just the submittals of IDEAS and SOLUTIONS to county problems.
7) Yes ..Council members. Sweeping change is needed; especially, in taking advantage of all revenue streams. Not just the one coming from taxpayers wallets.
8) Charleston County needs to lead this state in SOMETHING. This State needs to lead this Nation in SOMETHING? What?...Education? Uh oh? Transportation? Uh oh? Power Generation Uh oh...Pee Dee is getting the shaft with COAL! How about our LANDFILLS! Can we County Council lead the state in solving our Landfill problem? www.startech.net
9)Thank you Mr. Bostick and COuncil for starting to communicate! Our City, Our County, and our State do not deserve another "CHARLESTON 9"!
Posted by zoomru on May 21, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
County Council.....
http://www2.beaufortgazette.com
/story/19762#comment-51293
Sometimes the answers are in front of your face ...sometimes you have to communicate!
Come on County Council....
Posted by zoomru on May 21, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
County Council.....
I know you can LEAD...
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage
/story/37971.html
Isn't it about time that taxpayers saw progress in something?
Posted by zoomru on May 21, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Coldbeer.....
Thanks for reading...I'm 43 and still learning. I know these fine people on Council try to mean well. (I think) I know they want an independent panel to cover themselves; but when solutions are so blantantly obvious...MAN-UP and just DO it. I guess I should say Council-UP! Have a good day!
Posted by zoomru on May 21, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Early,
Go, Go, Go..
At the meeting their was a 59 million figure thrown around per year? Amazing...and we still run a 4 million shortfall. I almost wanted a labotomy afterwards! With statewide negotiating, the machines at www.startech.net I blow about would be paidoff in no time? And actually start ..MAKING MONEY! They want a "GREEN RIBBON PANEL"? What?
I guess they are just following procedures set up by a previous COUNCIL?
I see the heat generated by the death of the Charleston 9; but what is the heat going to be generated from the poisoning of the Charleston 90,000?