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A lesson in waste
By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE LECANTO -- The Citrus County Division of Solid Waste seems able to handle just about any kind of refuse, Academy of Environmental Science ecology students discovered during a recent morning tour. Nine students and teacher Kristen Russell walked through the facility with recycling specialist Frank Wentzel, slapping mosquitoes and wrinkling their noses while they learned about the many facets of the place. They started in a meeting room so Wentzel could provide definitions that he said were important for uniformity within state regulations. Then they moved to the chemistry laboratory where day-to-day testing of leachate -- water that drains out of the landfill, or "garbage juice" -- is done. The students followed Wentzel outdoors to a large tent that held discarded electronics, particularly computers. These items are recycled by an outside contractor. Down the road the students saw the drop-off areas for residents and the recycling bins for glass, plastic and newspaper. There was a tires-only dump. Old tires, Wentzel explained, can be used in roadwork, which makes roads more skid resistant and longer lasting than those without the rubber in them. Many tires go to alternative fuel plants, where they are burned, and the steel is recovered, he said. There were tanks for used motor oil, which can be recycled or burned for fuel, a lead acid battery collection site and places for rechargeable batteries, fluorescent lamps and old propane tanks. Another area held worn-out appliances, mostly refrigerators. The students seemed impressed by the mulching operation, where a large machine shredded cut trees and other vegetation into mulch, which is free to the public. Student Regina Martin said if she worked at the landfill, she'd want to be part of that operation. "I'd want to be over there picking up the trees and throwing them into the mulcher. I think that would be fun," she said. "Of course, I'd rather be a lawyer." As the group walked farther down the paved road, they came to the leachate treatment center. Wentzel said leachate is aerated to give bacteria plenty of oxygen to break down organic compounds, followed by another step to reduce nitrates. It was evident to everyone when they approached the working landfill. "Smells like a very busy city," said student Maegan Mulligan. "It's not as bad as people think." Her classmate Nicolle Newman agreed. "It just smells like a lot of garbage that's been left out in the sun," she said. "I can deal with it a little while." Past the landfill were storage bins for poisons, corrosives and flammable items. And there were containers for oil-based and water-based paints. On the walk back to the main building, some students commented about what they had seen and learned during the morning. "I was introduced to many new smells," said Josh Rigdon. "I never realized how organized it (the facility) is and how clean it is, how much new regulations have changed it." Stefanie Ramos, who is working on a water-testing project for her science research class, was interested in the water testing. "I learned how the water runoff is treated," she said. "Bacteria treats it." She also noted that leachate is sent out "so it can be tested for other stuff." As he learned about the limits of recycling projects, often because of money, Tom Williford expressed his disappointment. "I've come to find that some things you think are recyclable aren't," he said. "It all comes down to money. It's sad that the almighty dollar determines what's really important."
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