Opinion EditorialThe Palm Beach Post
January 7, 2015
Saturday’s editorial, “Trash for cash is a smart plan for the county,” supported importation of trash for the purpose of burning it in our Palm Beach County incinerator. The Post argued that outside vendors should be permitted to pay less than county residents.
Our group — the Loxahatchee Group of the Sierra Club — opposes the importation of trash into this county. We believe that it is contrary to the county’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. For example, it creates more carbon to drive trash from other parts of the state into Palm Beach County. It also will add stress to our roads, as this will require large trucks. Should there be an accident, it could contaminate our highways — and our aquifer if the trash spills onto the ground.
It will negatively impact our future landfills because all trash that is burned leaves behind a percentage of residues that must be disposed of; this means reduction of the life of our landfills. A new landfill could cost the county up to $1 billion, so this is not a small consideration.
Why would county residents be forced to pay a higher tipping fee when they will be the ones to pay the cost of a new landfill?
The more trash burned, the greater the amount of air pollution generated. The county has asked the state Department of Environmental Protection to allow an increase in the amount of air pollution released by the burning of trash. This pollution will fall on Grassy Waters — the water supply for West Palm Beach and the Town of Palm Beach.
Importing trash will also impact areas of West Palm, Riviera Beach and North Palm Beach, due to greater air pollution. We don’t know what the long-term effects of this will be.
It is time to move to energy from alternative sources that don’t pollute, such as solar. Burning trash is not the solution to our energy needs. We also need to reduce the amount of trash generated through composting and recycling. This will extend the life of our existing landfill.
DREW MARTIN, LAKE WORTH
Palm Beach County Soil and Water Conservation District, Group 2
Drew gets it right every time. He should run for city commissioner. I'd vote for him.
ReplyDeleteHe tried to run years back and then he was unmercifully attacked by the bullies here in lake worth. It was revolting and they were rude as can be. There was a meet at John Rinaldi's place and I can't believe I was in the same room with some of those people.
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