Agenda - Council - 11/25/1980 - Laserfiche WebLink

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- 18 - 2. BALING Baling is a solid waste volume reduction technique that consists of compacting solid wastes into high-density (approximately 1,800 lbs. per cubic yard), rectangular-shaped bales. An on-site solid waste balin9 operation includes a baling plant and a specially designed balefill (landf~ll acceptin9 baled wastes). Alternatively, the baling plant may be located at a large-quantity source of solid waste or at a waste collection and collection point. The basic advantages of the process increases are reductions in required landfill volume, ease of waste transport and placement, litter reduction, decreased settlement and reduced requirements for cover material. A potential disadvantage is that the com- pacting process slows the decomposition process, thus potentially extending the period of time during which the landfill will con- tinue to generate gas and leachate. Accordingly, the conditions that favor this alternative are in areas in which there is a short- age of landfill sites, thus requiring maximum utilization of available land. There is currently a study underway by the EPA to determine the relative environmental advantages of balefill sites over conven- tional landfills. This information is not available in final form at this time. 3. CONCLUSIONS Research on shredding technologies bas increased in the past few years. Preliminary indications are that shredding is a viable means of reducing landfill space requirements through volume reduc- tion and elimination of cover requirements. Based on increased density.alone, w~t~out considering potential materials recovery, shredding has the potential to significantly reduce Landfill space needed. Results from environmental studies on relative impacts of Dale- fills versus conventional landfills are not as conclusive as shredding research. Until more environmental data is available, it would be premature to recommend a baling system ~or the Metropolitan Area as a means to reduce added landfill needs. D. RESOURCE RECOVERY The types of resource recovery methods discussed in this section include recovery of heat energy, biological treatment and recovery, and tree waste recovery. Even though waste separation involves the recovery of reusable waste materials, "resource recovery," as used in' this report, refers to those strategies that recover resources through various high-technology processing methods--for example, lncineration or biological treatment.