Deconstruction is labor-intensive and time-consuming, whereas the cost of
landfilling is--for now--still relatively cheap.
* In Texas: In Dallas, which has pilot mixed-plastic collection and supermarket drop-off programs, some 40% of the material is said to be going to landfill because of contamination, inadequate demand for mixed plastics, and low tipping fees that make
landfilling relatively affordable.
The three alternatives generally considered in addition to recycling are waste reduction, waste-to-energy plants, and
landfilling. The last two solutions may be hard-sells, since it has been the public's concern over
landfilling and incineration that has given recycling such a boost.
The group says this is why Europe ordered the phase-out of the
landfilling of organic materials in 1999.
In fact, the state of Minnesota, which prohibits the
landfilling of rechargeable batteries, has granted a special exemption for Renewals.
Considering that the above figures do not reflect the $66,000 in
landfilling fees that are avoided, the operation is an astounding financial success.
Since 1985, EPA has banned
landfilling of solvents -- like benzene -- and required that new hazardous-waste landfills use multiple barriers of clay and synthetic materials.