Future of recycling

[merrymini]

A vote will be taken on the new recycling, or rather the non recycling program, on June 18 by NSCUDD. It appears that September will be the last of the recycling and the "burn" will begin in October. All garbage and recyclables, including yard waste, will be burned. I understand the economics and I understand that there is a energy component, but I do not understand why, aluminum, which can be recycled over and over with no degradation and which still has some value in the recycling market is not put aside. I also do not understand why the garbage pick ups cannot be only once a week instead of twice a week, reducing carbon footprint. I do not look forward to inhaling the toxins released from the burn of plastic, etc. assuming that the burn will be in this vicinity. I am very sorry to see this happening. We will also be seeing an increase in charges. I, for one, am crushing my aluminum cans and will be reducing the amount of plastics I purchase. I will also be contacting manufacturers of items I buy to ask them to reduce the packaging they use for new products. I will be eliminating the newspaper (or that is what it is called) since that will also not be recycled. Odd because the cost of the newspaper went up significantly the last time I subscribed to it. There are plenty of things that can be done to reduce garbage and hope people concerned with the environment look into them and do what they can to reduce waste. I sincerely believe this burn to be a mistake.

[davem4616]

China hasn't wanted to take our recycled stuff for awhile now....I've been wondering how the stockpile of recyclable 'stuff' is going to be addressed...

when I was in the smelting business we'd buy a lot of recycled aluminum to make ingots and include that in the melt mix....we knew which sources of scrap aluminum to use and how many times the aluminum used that that specific product (e.g. air conditioners) had been previously recycled...our metallurgical engineers (which I was not one of) determined that for our purposes, aluminum could only be recycled 7 times before the properties broke down

[Jima64]

companies don't really care if you complain about the packaging as long as the masses continue to buy it. other ways to make less impact on the earth.

[Stu from NYC]

Lots of stuff is overpackaged with heavy plastics making it incredibly difficult to remove the item from its package.

[Number 10 GI]

I don't know enough about the recycling industry to have an informed knowledge of it. Maybe if the company was allowed to operate tax free that could make enough of a margin for them to realize a modest profit. There could be other tax incentives that would help, not required to pay gasoline tax for their collection vehicles, no sales tax on vehicles/equipment used in the business. A business has to make a profit.

[twoplanekid]

An interesting article about the State of Waste-to- Energy that includes Covanta -> The State of Waste-to-Energy in the U.S. | Waste360 (https://www.waste360.com/waste-energy/state-waste-energy-us)

While the figures are only preliminary and may be changed at the June 18th NSCUDD meeting, NSCUDD will save $700,000 by eliminating recycling but taking everything to Covanta will cost $2,288,100 more as per the figures presented here found on page 62.

Coversheet (https://district.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=37950&MeetingID=1908)

[jedalton]

A vote will be taken on the new recycling, or rather the non recycling program, on June 18 by NSCUDD. It appears that September will be the last of the recycling and the "burn" will begin in October. All garbage and recyclables, including yard waste, will be burned. I understand the economics and I understand that there is a energy component, but I do not understand why, aluminum, which can be recycled over and over with no degradation and which still has some value in the recycling market is not put aside. I also do not understand why the garbage pick ups cannot be only once a week instead of twice a week, reducing carbon footprint. I do not look forward to inhaling the toxins released from the burn of plastic, etc. assuming that the burn will be in this vicinity. I am very sorry to see this happening. We will also be seeing an increase in charges. I, for one, am crushing my aluminum cans and will be reducing the amount of plastics I purchase. I will also be contacting manufacturers of items I buy to ask them to reduce the packaging they use for new products. I will be eliminating the newspaper (or that is what it is called) since that will also not be recycled. Odd because the cost of the newspaper went up significantly the last time I subscribed to it. There are plenty of things that can be done to reduce garbage and hope people concerned with the environment look into them and do what they can to reduce waste. I sincerely believe this burn to be a mistake. it's always about the cost

[crash]

They do remove metal before burning and sell it, so it will still be recycled at the end facility.

[retiredguy123]

I think the Government should get rid of the junk mail. It is a significant amount of the trash produced and it wastes a lot of energy to produce it and to transport it around the country.

Also, beverages and other products can be packaged in glass, plastic, alumunium, or cardboard. I don't know which is best, but the resulting waste should be a consideration as to which material to use.

[Guitarman1951]

A vote will be taken on the new recycling, or rather the non recycling program, on June 18 by NSCUDD. It appears that September will be the last of the recycling and the "burn" will begin in October. All garbage and recyclables, including yard waste, will be burned. I understand the economics and I understand that there is a energy component, but I do not understand why, aluminum, which can be recycled over and over with no degradation and which still has some value in the recycling market is not put aside. I also do not understand why the garbage pick ups cannot be only once a week instead of twice a week, reducing carbon footprint. I do not look forward to inhaling the toxins released from the burn of plastic, etc. assuming that the burn will be in this vicinity. I am very sorry to see this happening. We will also be seeing an increase in charges. I, for one, am crushing my aluminum cans and will be reducing the amount of plastics I purchase. I will also be contacting manufacturers of items I buy to ask them to reduce the packaging they use for new products. I will be eliminating the newspaper (or that is what it is called) since that will also not be recycled. Odd because the cost of the newspaper went up significantly the last time I subscribed to it. There are plenty of things that can be done to reduce garbage and hope people concerned with the environment look into them and do what they can to reduce waste. I sincerely believe this burn to be a mistake.
We need twice a week pick up because they don't allow us to use trash cans. Even if they did, my garage is not large enough to keep it inside which they wouldn't like either. Twice a week let's us avoid having stinking trash sitting in the hot garages for days at a time. This would attract ants and other critters such as mice.

[shortstack]

I do not believe that the restaurants or bars in The Villages recycle and IF that is true, how sad and irresponsible. I am against the burning idea. I would not like to breathe all of those fumes. What would the long term effects be if you did?

[coconutmama]

We need twice a week pick up because they don't allow us to use trash cans. Even if they did, my garage is not large enough to keep it inside which they wouldn't like either. Twice a week let's us avoid having stinking trash sitting in the hot garages for days at a time. This would attract ants and other critters such as mice.

We need more than once a week pickup. All areas, not just TV. But can you imagine renters & vacationers leaving trash out on the curb for a week after they leave?

Plus hate the idea of burning. Air quality is not that great already with all the burning of oak trees & brush.

[My Daily Run]

Be informed
Covanta.com

[mjkspear]

I will miss the recycling, because I think it's the right thing to do. I have been taking my newspapers to a church that has the dumpster out back, so they make money on the recycling. I have also begun buying cleaning supplies that are concentrated, so less containers coming in my house, and the company ships everything directly to me and no extra packaging. They have bins at Publix and Winn Dixie for plastic and paper bags as well as styrofoam.

[My Daily Run]

You can still bring your newspapers to the church

With over 50 facilities around the world, Covanta is a leader in sustainable waste and energy solutions.
Our Energy-from-Waste facilities convert approximately 21 million tons of waste into enough renewable energy to power more than one million homes and recycle over 600,000 tons of metal annually! We also operate a number of material processing facilities and transfer stations that support Covanta's core Energy-from-Waste business, while helping customers reach their sustainability goals.

[Two Bills]

We need more than once a week pickup. All areas, not just TV. But can you imagine renters & vacationers leaving trash out on the curb for a week after they leave?

Plus hate the idea of burning. Air quality is not that great already with all the burning of oak trees & brush.

Read link in post #6
Been burning cleanly and without polution for many years in Europe.

[rmd2]

It wasn't long ago that some people said stop using straws. I don't see people in restaurants drinking without straws now.

[twoplanekid]

We need twice a week pick up because they don't allow us to use trash cans. Even if they did, my garage is not large enough to keep it inside which they wouldn't like either. Twice a week let's us avoid having stinking trash sitting in the hot garages for days at a time. This would attract ants and other critters such as mice.

Please note that all three options had two or more pickups per week! Please read the details here -> Coversheet (https://district.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=37484&MeetingID=1923)

[Carl99]

[QUOTE=My Daily Run;1774150]You can still bring your newspapers to the church

The burning facilities, don’t put out pollution . It really is the way to go . We don’t need anymore landfills.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

We have many permanent residents that put out there trash the morning before, I wonder how early they would be putting it out if it was once a week.and the barrels just become an eyesore for the day before and trash day

[stadry]

[QUOTE=twoplanekid;1773911]An interesting article about the State of Waste-to- Energy that includes Covanta -> The State of Waste-to-Energy in the U.S. | Waste360 (https://www.waste360.com/waste-energy/state-waste-energy-us)
While the figures are only preliminary and may be changed at the June 18th NSCUDD meeting, NSCUDD will save $700,000 by eliminating recycling but taking everything to Covanta will cost $2,288,100 more as per the figures presented here found on page 62.

TERRIFIC move, nscudd,,, & someone feels compelled to ask why space-x is more efficient than nasa ?

a few fines to the property managers re trash & that'll soon put an end to the practice,,, there is no space for landfills in fl, is there ? isn't that why 'mt. miami' exists ? abovegrade landfill = short mountains

clean burn's possible w/o pollutants

[merrymini]

The recreation centers have never recycled. I have seen many times, where large groups of people just wrap up the plastics table clothes, recyclables and all and put them in the trash. I asking someone, supposedly knowledgeable about this associated with the villages, and was told people go through the garbage to extricate the recyclables. A story that even a two year old could not swallow. There do seem to be effects to people near the burn centers as I looked it up on line.

[merrymini]

There are companies committed to sustainable packaging and Unilever has made a commitment to reduce its plastic use. If enough people are willing to email companies, they will respond but the transition will take time.

[NancyLee]

...but I do not understand why, aluminum, which can be recycled over and over with no degradation and which still has some value in the recycling market is not put aside...

I agree with the aluminum comment. Aluminum is a finite metal on our planet, so it is imperative that we conserve and reuse what we have. I doubt that the garbage trucks would collect used aluminum (we could ask), but maybe we can convince the grocery stores in the area to set out containers to collect aluminum to be recycled.

[arbajeda]

Sumter County operates a solid waste/recycling center where you can take your recyclables for free. Their web site (Solid Waste | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (https://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/222/Solid-Waste)) lists some of the items they take but the containers list more, like glass, newspapers, corrugated cardboard and aerosol cans. There never has been recycling pickup south of 44 and this is the only option available for us. The address is 819 Co Rd 529, Bushnell, FL 33513; south on 301 to the Sunoco gas station in Sumterville. Right at the light onto 470. The entrance to the recycling center is at the beginning of the sweeping right-hand curve about two miles west. Tell the attendant that you are dropping off recycling. The large green container is on the right just after entering the fenced area.

[BostonRich]

I haven't read the article yet but if it doesn't pollute and generates energy it sounds like a great solution. It also sounds like it will be much easier for us residents to just bag up everything together.

We do put our aluminum cans in a separate box and bring them to the postal stations. Hopefully this will return soon.

[PatsyHedrick]

A major source of non-biodegradable plastics are restaurants that routinely serve drinks with plastic straws and package takeout or leftovers in styrofoam containers. As their customers, perhaps we can change this practice.

Who is willing to work as a group to urge restaurantures to switch to biodegradable paper straws and take out containers? I am, anyone else?

[Tom Kubala]

There are bins at St. Timothy Catholic Church for used newspapers. The St. Vincent de Paul Society sells the paper to a recycle firm, and the proceeds are used to help those in need in our community. A great human service.

[Windguy]

It wasn't long ago that some people said stop using straws. I don't see people in restaurants drinking without straws now.
I quit using straws more than a year ago. You have to be fast to say you don’t want one because they have to be thrown away once it hits your table.

[Boilerman]

It looks like the way some countries have been managing waste for some time, like Singapore and Sweden. Here’s an article on Sweden’s

In Sweden, Trash Heats Homes, Powers Buses and Fuels Taxi Fleets - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/21/climate/sweden-garbage-used-for-fuel.html)

[FredJacobs]

I think the Government should get rid of the junk mail. It is a significant amount of the trash produced and it wastes a lot of energy to produce it and to transport it around the country.

Also, beverages and other products can be packaged in glass, plastic, alumunium, or cardboard. I don't know which is best, but the resulting waste should be a consideration as to which material to use.
That "Junk Mail" is what keeps the Post Office in business.

[Reesie]

A vote will be taken on the new recycling, or rather the non recycling program, on June 18 by NSCUDD. It appears that September will be the last of the recycling and the "burn" will begin in October. All garbage and recyclables, including yard waste, will be burned. I understand the economics and I understand that there is a energy component, but I do not understand why, aluminum, which can be recycled over and over with no degradation and which still has some value in the recycling market is not put aside. I also do not understand why the garbage pick ups cannot be only once a week instead of twice a week, reducing carbon footprint. I do not look forward to inhaling the toxins released from the burn of plastic, etc. assuming that the burn will be in this vicinity. I am very sorry to see this happening. We will also be seeing an increase in charges. I, for one, am crushing my aluminum cans and will be reducing the amount of plastics I purchase. I will also be contacting manufacturers of items I buy to ask them to reduce the packaging they use for new products. I will be eliminating the newspaper (or that is what it is called) since that will also not be recycled. Odd because the cost of the newspaper went up significantly the last time I subscribed to it. There are plenty of things that can be done to reduce garbage and hope people concerned with the environment look into them and do what they can to reduce waste. I sincerely believe this burn to be a mistake.

Hopefully, (rose colored glasses on) as this unfortunately becomes more common, if we as consumers complain enough, the manufacturers will adapt to more environmentally friendly means of packaging.
Buy Smart. Recycle when and what you can. Be a squeaky wheel.

[KRM0614]

Most states in USA recycle glass aluminum paper plastic. Not the case here unless the Morse family who operate a monopoly with land business water company etc can monetize it by forcing residents to pick up the tab in advance. That’s a fact.

[retiredguy123]

That "Junk Mail" is what keeps the Post Office in business.
If junk mail keeps them in "business" then why did the House of Representatives just pass a stimulus bill that includes a $25 billion bailout to pay off the Post Office debt to the Treasury Department. UPS and FedEx are businesses. The Post Office is not a business.

[biker1]

Are you referring to the bill that is DOA in the Senate?

If junk mail keeps them in "business" then why did the House of Representatives just pass a stimulus bill that includes a $25 billion bailout to pay off the Post Office debt to the Treasury Department. UPS and FedEx are businesses. The Post Office is not a business.

[Indydealmaker]

What fumes?

[retiredguy123]

Are you referring to the bill that is DOA in the Senate?
Yes. But, the hypocrisy is that many people will tell you that the Post Office pays for itself. So, why do they owe the Treasury $25 billion? Also, if junk mail supports the Post Office, why aren't UPS and FedEx delivering junk mail? Apparently, they can be profitable without junk mail.

[IvorT]

There is something called pyrolysis, which (I think) burns it at a higher temperature. Modern ships now use this, because they can not longer dump their trash in the oceans. Sounds like bad news, because so much of what we discard, could be used again. What about all the trees that get used to make the Daily Sun. that all ends up as recycling. I hope.
In England, where I’m from, we’ve been separating out, and recycling for years. Then the media found out that the recycling stuff was ending up in the Far East, where it was burnt. All that effort, no result.

[HappyRetired]

Most states in USA recycle glass aluminum paper plastic. Not the case here unless the Morse family who operate a monopoly with land business water company etc can monetize it by forcing residents to pick up the tab in advance. That’s a fact.

Morse family doesn't own any of this. It is controlled through the NSCUDD .

Also, a lot of the "recycled" things weren't being recycled because too many people were including the wrong things: pizza boxes, margarine tubs, frozen whipped topping containers, window envelopes, etc. I saw the recycle crew picking up regular trash that hadn't made it out in time for regular pick-up. This will be so much easier and for those who want to recycle newspaper or aluminum, they have the choice to do so in other ways.

[merrymini]

I would and have. They do not know what you are thinking unless you tell them.

[merrymini]

Recycling has been affected all over the country with the lack of money paid.

[ValSetz]

Assumed it is to control stealing...

[Mikeod]

According to the POA news the new waste company does separate metals for recycling from the trash to be incinerated. That’s one of my concerns addressed.

[coffeebean]

The recreation centers have never recycled. I have seen many times, where large groups of people just wrap up the plastics table clothes, recyclables and all and put them in the trash. I asking someone, supposedly knowledgeable about this associated with the villages, and was told people go through the garbage to extricate the recyclables. A story that even a two year old could not swallow. There do seem to be effects to people near the burn centers as I looked it up on line.

What are the "effects"?

[coffeebean]

I agree with the aluminum comment. Aluminum is a finite metal on our planet, so it is imperative that we conserve and reuse what we have. I doubt that the garbage trucks would collect used aluminum (we could ask), but maybe we can convince the grocery stores in the area to set out containers to collect aluminum to be recycled.

The article in the paper did say that metals will be extracted and reused many times.

[coffeebean]

A major source of non-biodegradable plastics are restaurants that routinely serve drinks with plastic straws and package takeout or leftovers in styrofoam containers. As their customers, perhaps we can change this practice.

Who is willing to work as a group to urge restaurantures to switch to biodegradable paper straws and take out containers? I am, anyone else?

Paper straws are not very good for drinking foo foo frozen drinks through. They get all mushy and colllapse before I can finish my drink. Having said that, the other day I was served a paper straw that was the best paper straw I ever saw. It held its shape and can easily stand up to a Pina Colada. I can't remember which restaurant uses this excellent paper straw.

[rlsjks1987@gmail.com]

You are correct. 1x per week does not work in the south due to smell and decomposing waste.

[rlsjks1987@gmail.com]

Why should residents have to pay more money when contractor(WMX) is willing to receive less money to drive more miles at a higher expense when a large portion of WTE waste ends up in landfills due equipment failures or too much volume!

[BossLady]

I’m terribly sad, heartbroken in fact for the planet, that recycling will be discontinued. Supposedly a plastic water bottle takes 450 years to degrade in a land-fill; 450 years. “Forgive them for they know not what they are doing”.

[coffeebean]

I’m terribly sad, heartbroken in fact for the planet, that recycling will be discontinued. Supposedly a plastic water bottle takes 450 years to degrade in a land-fill; 450 years. “Forgive them for they know not what they are doing”.

I'm not understanding your dismay. Or......maybe I'm not understanding what is going to happen to plastics with the Covanta program. Plastics will not be going into landfills but will be burned for energy. Isn't that correct?

[Red Rose]

I'm happy about the change. I think the waste to energy concept should have been implemented a couple of years ago. With all the new technology and safety restrictions in place, this is an environmentally friendly operation.

[twoplanekid]

comments made by me at the District 10 meeting on 6/4/20

Some at the final NSCUDD Waste workshop stated that recycling is not easy. While watching the US return to launching our spacecraft to orbit, the words of President Kennedy echoed in my mind. “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills”. The option of burning all trash at the Covanta Waste- to-Energy plant is easy but doesn’t fit my view of a good recycling program nor lower costs.

I was told that a new Waste Management Plan was needed to improve recycling and reduce expected cost increases. Well, the Covanta only option is the most costly and will help to increase NSCUDDs total rate increases to almost 24% over a one year time from ($ 17.90 to $22.24) excluding our new 2.5 % yearly increase and the likely new charge for bulk white goods pickup . While burning trash does reduce the volume of waste by some 90% to a pile of ash, the recyclable materials collected is minimal. For me, burning recyclable material is not recycling. Plus, no one will think about recycling as we did when placing items in a recycling bin every day for a weekly pickup. Instead, we will have a situation where recycling is kind of out of sight out of mind. We now burn everything which is better recycling?

I would note that Villagers living south of 44 can’t complain to the developer that we have a recycling program and they don’t as all Villagers will soon have the same program of taking all trash to Covanta for burning. However, those under the NSCUDD trash program will pay about 10% more in monthly trash fees than Villagers south of 44 on a private system.

I suspected that a waste to energy option might be in the works as the NSCUDD board visited the Pasco Covanta WTE plant last summer. I thought the Covanta spokesperson explained that waste to energy facilities in the US were having a difficult time making a profit. There has been a reduction of WTE plants in the US from 87 ten years ago to 73 today. Never the less, several other board members were excited that NSCUDD might even build a new waste to energy plant to be used by Villagers until staff nixed those thoughts as being way too expensive.

If the intent of this Waste Management Plan study was to have NSCUDD provide the same service as found in the Villages south of 44, OK but don’t do it under the guise of improving recycling and reducing costs because that isn’t happening.

I am disappointed to see recycling disappear and the selection of the highest cost trash option which will add about 1.5 million of additional yearly costs based on estimated budget numbers. Yet, I understand many see and hear things differently like watching commentators on CNN rather than FOX news or vice versa. As a District 10 representative on the NSCUDD board, I wanted you to hear my personal views/the other side of the story on what is taking place.

I would add that facts are sometimes hard to picture and my failure to ask enough questions didn’t help.

P.O.A. One of the poll questions asked at the second NSCUDD workshop in August was "I am willing to pay slightly more (less the $2 per month) to maintain the current waste and recycling program" So, the starting figure of $19.38 should be used and not compare one rate increase with another as the POA did in stating that “shows an initial impact of +$1.39 I would compare 19.38 to 22.24 which is a $2.86 increase thus more than the $2 comfortability level. I should have asked to review the questions presented by Jacobs and add a few of my own questions at the poll gathering workshop.

And, I should have questioned the comparing of option one actual recycling rate to the Covanta rate of recycling which is based on recycling credits as I feel it’s like comparing apples to oranges. In the same comparison of final options chart, miles driven were listed to suggest that fewer miles would mean less pollution. However, no mention or inclusion was given to things coming out of the Covanta stack which is also regulated by the same government agency as cars and trucks so far as pollution is concerned. It could be argued that both trucks hauling trash and Covanta burning waste pollute the earth to some degree.

Everyone tries to put a spin on things which makes it that much harder to arrive at a clear understanding. Thanks again for listening to my perspective. As the devil is in the details, please question facts presented by everyone including myself to fully understand the picture presented.

P.S. I wish a representative from Covanta and Waste Management had been in attendance at any of the NSCUDD workshops to clarify more of the positives and negatives representing their specific options after having talked to some of you at this District 10 meeting today. As the Covanta only option will be passed at the NSCUDD meeting on June 18th, I probably won’t vote in protest as I can ask more questions specifically on the perceived benefits of burning recyclable materials of the Covanta rep that will finally be in attendance at this meeting. I always try to keep an open mind except on rising cost figures which I detest.

[coffeebean]

I look at it this way......I'm happy to pay more for the convenience of Corvanta "Waste to Energy" being easier to lump everything into two pick ups per week. Don't have to think about which day is for yard waste or recycles. Just put it all out on trash days. Easy peasy.

I also like the fact that EVERYTHING will be used for energy with the exception of metals. Metals will be recycled as they will be removed from the rest of the trash and yard waste. I honestly think this is a win win.

[NotFromAroundHere]

What I don't understand are the economics of this. Covanta will be driving by my house 1/2 as many times a week, so saving money on trucks, fuel, labor, etc. Then they're going to burn my trash and sell the energy to somebody. Plus they're going to take out the metal and sell it, presumably for a profit, or they wouldn't be doing it.

So they're spending less and bringing in more, but somehow this costs me more?

[twoplanekid]

It is my understand that Jacobs (CH2M Hill)), our current trash hauler will continue to pick up all trash (everything) twice a week starting in October. They will then transport the waste to the Covanta plant to be burned. In the budget is a $2,288,100 line item which I am told is the yearly amount we will pay Covanta. I will ask for more details at the NSCUDD meeting on June 18th. Anyone and everyone interested is invited to attend this public meeting the details of which will be published late next week on Village Community Development Districts (http://www.districtgov.org) under Your District NSCUDD.

[PugMom]

'I also do not understand why the garbage pick ups cannot be only once a week instead of twice a week, reducing carbon footprint.'...i would think the hot weather & pests are the main reason we need pick up 2x a week. it was diff back up 'north'. there trash could sit all week with no ill effects. just my valued opinion, lol

[coffeebean]

'I also do not understand why the garbage pick ups cannot be only once a week instead of twice a week, reducing carbon footprint.'...i would think the hot weather & pests are the main reason we need pick up 2x a week. it was diff back up 'north'. there trash could sit all week with no ill effects. just my valued opinion, lol

As it is now, we have a truck making four passes a week by our house. With this new program, there will be two passes per week. I would not want it any less than that.