Composting can play an important role in a comprehensive recycling program, says the state supervisor of recycling programs with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Food wastes in particular account for about 11 percent of the waste stream,” said Scott Mouw. “They are also a source of liquid leachate, which have to be managed post-closure. And, they are one of the kick-starters for methane.”

Mouw said composting by local governments and private entities has grown considerably since 1993, when a state law went into effect prohibiting yard wastes in solid waste landfills. He said the recycling of organic materials has the potential to play a “huge role” in reducing the dependency on landfills.

“The industry was taking baby steps 10 years ago, now it is in the toddler stage. Before long it is really going to be up and running,” Mouw said.

A state DENR website lists 29 composters in the state, both private and public. King’s Macon County facility and Jennings Trout Farm in Haywood County are listed. Jennings uses fish byproducts as a raw material for its production of compost.

The mountain counties are among the better recyclers in the state, said Mouw. Point-source separation — where citizens separate their recylcables — prevents comingling problems associated with bluebag systems. However, the bluebag system is one of the better ways to increase participation because it is so easy for citizens, he said. The bluebag system also saves money on the collection side because everything can be picked up at the same time, Mouw said.

The “pay as you throw system, where individual households pay for every bag of trash yet are able to dispose of recyclables free, is probably the most preferred system by state recycling directors, Mouw said.

“Pay as you throw clearly increases participation in recycling because of its costs. And our studies show that, contrary to popular belief, it does not increase illegal dumping,” said Mouw.

However, he admitted that pay as you throw programs are a political hard sell.

“I won’t downplay how difficult it is for counties to enact a pay as you throw system,” he said.

Durham County has recently enacted a mandatory recycling program that prohibits pick up of garbage that has recyclables in it. In fact, those who throw away recyclables are issued citations. Obviously, that is the best way to get citizens to recycle, Mouw said.

“It is a hard thing for a board to pass because people look at it as a new tax,” said Mouw.

 

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The Smoky Mountain News