Better ways of disposal
According to The Spokesman-Review and other local sources, the Spokane County garbage disposal system was reorganized. But the bigger issue, it seemed, was whether to utilize the Waste-to-Energy Plant or to haul garbage to a landfill. Current technology indicates that burning garbage is the environmental way to go. Not discussed was the impact of increased recycling and sorting.
All dry garbage could be sent through an expanded sorting plant prior to sending the burnable remainder to the WTE Plant. This would have several advantages: Twice as many recyclables would be reclaimed; three times the dangerous electronics, batteries and light bulbs could be pulled out of the waste stream; unburnables and reusables could also be pulled out, increasing WTE efficiency and increasing primary recycling.
Leonard Butters
Spokane