The collection and reuse of yard waste in Lexington could undergo significant change in the years ahead. The city’s current method, which includes using Lenny containers, can be subject to contamination problems.
One option discussed this week would be to establish an aerobic digester similar to that used in Sevierville Tennessee. It takes yard and food waste plus wastewater sludge and uses oxygen and natural occurring bacteria to produce compost.
Environmental Quality and Public Works Commissioner Nancy Albright told council committee members non-biodegradable materials are sifted out with much turned into compost. “They divert about 30% either to a recycling center or the landfill. And that is almost the opposite of what we do right now. We divert a little more than 30% between recycling and yard waste, but we still send a significant amount to the landfill every year of course,” said Albright.
Council Member Amanda Mays Bledsoe said the $25 million price tag for that system may be an impediment. “But it’s a large capital project with rather large consequences. And, while it’s environmentally important and sustainably important and I’m for it, I’m also very cautious. So, I just want to put that out there,” said Mays Bledsoe.
The Environmental Quality and Public Works Committee approved a motion seeking proposals for alternatives to the current yard waste collection process.?
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