Loveland Deploys Garbage Truck Snowplows

Loveland, Colorado residents experienced a somewhat strange site recently. They looked to their streets to find that snowplows were working to make the roads manageable again. However, what they saw was a good deal different from what they expected. With plows attached, the city had deposited a number of garbage trucks to deal with the recent snowfall.

This is not the first time the city of Loveland used garbage trucks converted into snowplows. A pilot program was carried out in 2009. The following year, the city added several more garbage trucks to the plan. The results have been extremely encouraging so far, with the trucks being used in the event that six inches or more has fallen. The city says that the trucks are generally only used once or twice a year since they are only deployed in the event of a serious snowstorm. There are eleven trucks that utilize a plow and then there are an additional four pickup trucks that utilize a plow in a cul-de-sac.

After the Solid Waste Fleet deploys, the cost to the city is around thirteen grand per day. This crew runs trash pickups and they are rerouted to a regular plow schedule while maintaining their own routes.

Source :- http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/376-loveland-deploys-garbage-truck-snowplows.html

Man Works to Save Trees with Plastic Waste

Aghan Oscar is a Kenyan man who grew tired of watching trash fill the beaches of his city. He elected to do something about it, and the results thus far have been pretty inspiring. He has essentially come up with an effective way to not only recycle these plastics, but to also take steps to ensure the trees are being protected as well. 

In the wake of his desire to clean up his beaches, Oscar established Continental Renewable Energy. This Nairobi-based company works to collect garbage and convert it into materials that can be used to create poles and street signs. The timber that is traditionally used for these products has a couple of problematic downsides to consider. In the first place, the timber is susceptible to vandals and it is also easy to destroy. Worse yet, it is often stolen and used as firewood while also contributing to deforestation. Oscar and his company is working to change all of that.

So far, the results have been highly encouraging. The Kenya National Highways Authority has already purchased more than twenty-eight thousand poles from Oscar’s company. Using sand and post-consumer materials, Oscar and his company have created an approach to manufacturing these items that allows them to offer something that is not only more durable, but also comes with the benefit of being more affordable as well. It appears to be a win-win on every possible front. Another fantastic element to this company that is worth keeping in mind is the fact that the company is owned and operated by Kenyans.

The future for this company looks very bright indeed. Over 250 locals are currently employed by the company, which is working hard to meet an increasingly elaborate demand for their creation. The company believes that measures such as theirs can go a long way towards saving the planet.

Source :- http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/375-man-works-to-save-trees-with-plastic-waste.html

Zera Food Recycler from Whirlpool Turns Scraps into Fertilizer

With just the single touch of a button, the new Zera Food Recycler from Whirlpool promises to turn scraps into fertilizer. While this may sound too good to be true, it is indeed a concept that could soon become popularized throughout the world.

Many major cities employ composting services. However, for those who do not have access to such services, composting must continue to be handled the old-fashioned way. As anyone who has ever composted before can tell you, the whole process can be time-consuming and extremely unpleasant. Furthermore, without constant maintenance, a compost pile can quickly become useless.

The Zera Food Recycler from Whirlpool hopes to change things for the world at large. This kitchen appliance promises to not only turn your scraps into compost, but it promises to do this with virtually zero hassle. The only things the machine is unable to take care of are bones and pits. Otherwise, all you’’ have to do is load the device, hit the button, and step back as it does its job. The top of the Zera is designed to keep the product at counter height. When you are ready to dispose of things, sweeping your leftovers away can be handled easily enough.

Designed by W Labs, the product will be launching on crowdfunding sites soon. However, the point of this move is not to raise funds for the project. After all, Whirlpool is a company that can pay to have new gadgets developed, tested, and released. The move is largely being done to generate popularity for a product that is about to connect with a market that is currently untested.

Source :- http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/374-zera-food-recycler-from-whirlpool-turns-scraps-into-fertilizer.html

Auto Mall allegedly buried 140 Gallons of Hazardous Waste

The indictment alleges that Mahoney’s Auto Mall and a 33-year old employee buried over 140 gallons of waste on the company’s property. There are 12 charges against the employee and the used car dealership/automotive repair facility.

The company and employee are now facing one felony and eight misdemeanors (environmental law violations) that involve burying hazardous waste. The violations allegedly occurred over the summer when New York Environmental Conservation (DEC) authorities found multiple gallon sized barrels filled with discarded motor oil, oil filters, and discarded tires.

Alleged Violations:-

After DEC made the discovery, they ordered a lab analysis of the liquid. The lab found the hazardous material benzene in each of the four 55-gallon drums. The benzene levels surpassed the allowed .5 mg per liter.

The laboratory analysis also uncovered other hazardous material (toluene, ethyl-benzene, and xylene) which can contaminate and pollute the environment. The New York state Attorney General said that these materials are what constitute the waste as hazardous and illegal.

DEC authorities also discovered an unprotected amount of solid waste, which included construction debris and scarps, roofing items, garbage, and linens. This counts as operating an unlawful “solid waste management facility”. The appropriate DEC permits were never applied for nor granted to the auto mall.

The auto repair shop had violations that increased the volume of charges. DEC personnel also saw a channel (concrete) in the repair facility floor, allowing “automotive fluids” to drain into a pit. After draining into this pit, the fluids were moved to the ground beside the auto shop. Tests showed that there was petroleum-contaminated soil beside the auto shop.

Conclusion:-

The felony charge: Third degree public health endangerment, which, if found guilty thereof, comes with a possible prison sentence of four years and a potential fine of up to $150,000. Misdemeanor charges (8) are for fourth degree allegations of “endangering public health, safety or environmental” damage, including a possible one year jail sentence and fines up to $37,500.

The charge of “operating an unpermitted solid waste management facility” provides for maximum fines up to $22,500 per day while in violation. This situation could prove highly costly to the auto mall and the employee if they’re found guilty of the charges, which seems rather likely.

Source :- http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/373-auto-mall-allegedly-buried-140-gallons-of-hazardous-waste.html

Backpacker Christmas Party Leaves Sydney’s Coogee Beach in Ruins

In the aftermath of a particularly destructive Christmas party at Coogee Beach in Sydney, officials were left with no other choice. Alcohol is now going to be banned in the park, after approximately fifteen tons of garbage was left by the backpacker Christmas party.
 

Over 10, 000 partiers descended upon the beach for the big party in question. The resulting aftermath compelled a council in Sydney to enforce a ban on alcoholic beverages, designed to last through the end of the summer. The Christmas Day party left the aforementioned fifteen tons of garbage, in addition to a considerable amount of damage in other regards.

The ban was announced for not only Coogee Beach, but for all of the property in the surrounding area. This includes a number of parks. The ban is expected to be enforced until the end of the summer, and it is believed that the Randwick City Council was left with no other choice, when faced with the garbage and other undesirable elements that were left behind.

However, some would say that while the ban is a direct result of the recent Christmas chaos, it is not the first time that the issue of backpackers and parties on park/reserve property has been brought up. Some have been trying to get the city council to do something about the issue for a long time, arguing that the parties and general behavior from backpackers has left it difficult for locals to enjoy the park.

Few seem to argue that the backpackers are the chief cause of the problem. Many have taken to social media to express their thoughts on the matter, with many making it clear that they believe backpackers to be the primary source of the problem. Some have even taken to posting videos and other pieces of evidence across social media.

At the party in question, 3 were arrested.

Source :- http://www.garbagebinrentals.ca/waste-collection-removal-disposal-blog/372-backpacker-christmas-party-leaves-sydney-s-coogee-beach-in-ruins.html