20070305 “Better options than burning our trash” Carroll County Times letter to the editor by Sally Sorbello

“Better options than burning our trash” Carroll County Times letter to the editor by Sally Sorbello

Letters to the Editor for Monday, March 5, 2007

Better options than burning our trash

Editor:

In response to the Feb. 14 letter by Brenda M. Afzal titled, "Waste-to-energy is a waste of time," I would like to say thank you.

This letter was a factual counterpoint to the propaganda written by the executive director of the Northeast Md. Waste Disposal Authority, whose job it is to persuade people to believe that waste to energy is somehow not incineration - even though trash is burned and reduced to ash in this process.

Not only are waste to electricity schemes polluting, they are also inherently uneconomic. At a recent tour of the Covanta plant in Montgomery County, I was told that $40 million a year is budgeted for their trash burner. And the sale of electricity does not sufficiently offset the costs.

Many communities, including nearby Harrisburg, Pa., are struggling with huge financial debt as a result of their incinerator contract. Even if Montgomery County recycles more than other counties in Maryland, think of how much more it could be recycling with an annual budget of $40 million. It would take a fraction of that amount to have the best recycling program in the country.

Not only are waste incinerators expensive, they do not eliminate the need for a landfill. For every ton of trash that is burned, one third of a ton remains in the form of toxic ash. And this toxic ash must be handled very carefully. Any leaks of ash from the landfill could contaminate soil and water with heavy metals, dioxins and furans.

Doesn't it make more sense to invest taxpayer dollars in a comprehensive recycling and education program before any talk of burning trash? It would cost much less, it would pollute much less, it would stimulate the economy by creating jobs and it would show that Carroll and Frederick counties are too smart to let resources go up in flames. Waste incinerators burn useful recyclable materials along with trash.

For all interested in learning more, please attend a meeting of the Environmental Advisory Council on Tuesday, March 13, at 3 p.m. in room 003/004 of the Carroll County Office Building, 225 North Center Street.

Neil Seldman, a recycling expert, will be speaking at this meeting. For over 30 years, Seldman has helped communities worldwide to expand economic opportunities through greater recycling.

Sally Sorbello

Frederick