Some people might think it is just trash, with little knowledge about how complicated the disposal of household and business garbage has become. But in keeping with growing awareness and requirements, the City of Palmetto last week approved its far-reaching Solid Waste Management Plan.

Palmetto's rapid growth, mirroring all of South Fulton in recent years, has been limited by a Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)-imposed moratorium on establishing new sewer connections. Removal of the moratorium in 2006 is expected after the city ties into the county wastewater system. Once accomplished, the move is expected to provide for significant development, including the generation of additional solid waste. Waste collection in fiscal year 2003-2004 totaled 6,362 tons. Estimates put solid waste collections at 10,185 tons by 2010 and 11,770 tons in 2014.

Various aspects of the plan are accompanied by needs and goals. Those pertaining to the city's Waste Stream Analysis and Waste Reduction include the development and implementation of a comprehensive data collection reporting system for private providers, continuation and enhancement of the ongoing recycling programs, targeting yard trimmings as a priority method for further reducing per capita solid waste disposal and encouraging and supporting community-based recycling and waste reduction efforts. Strategies for these goals includes continuing existing citywide mandatory curbside residential collection, fostering a relationship with local business and industry to bolster waste reduction and recycling efforts, encouraging composting as a means of waste reduction, enacting incentives to encourage participation in recycling and waste reduction and developing community programs to enhance awareness and participation in waste reduction efforts.

The plan's Collection element included the goal to continue to utilize a private provider for curbside waste pick-up. Though accurate collection data is provided by city-contracted providers, the same has proven more difficult for commercial/industrial providers that are not contracted with the city. To overcome this disparity, the city will request the needed information be supplied voluntarily by those providers using an agreed upon method. If unsuccessful, the city may consider adopting an ordinance to require that the applicable data be provided. Strategies for Collection includes a periodic review of the competitiveness of the contract fee and service efficiency and retaining a qualified consultant to assist city staff in developing and implementing data collection reporting systems.

A two-tiered alternative collection strategy exists in the event the current method of solid waste collection is interrupted. The first alternative would be to secure the services of another primary provider on an interim basis. The second alternative strategy would involve pick-up by the city and temporary personnel.

Regarding the Disposal element of the solid Waste Management Plan, Palmetto contracts with Waste Management of Atlanta-South for disposal of household solid waste and recyclables. The provider hauls Palmetto trash to landfills in the metro Atlanta area. Construction and demolition (C&D) waste are deposited in the Safeguard Landfill in Fairburn. A disposal need is present with the disposal of C&D material given that the Safeguard Landfill has only a four-year lifetime remaining. The goal for this area involves initiating discussions with other C&D landfills in the area to arrange for timely C&D disposal given the time-limited capability at Safeguard. As with the collection element, a similar two-tiered alternative strategy exists in the event service was interrupted. A Request for Proposal (RFP) process would likely be used. As part of the Disposal strategy, the city will also explore the potential for the chipping of yard debris for reuse.

Within the plan's Land Limitation element, areas unsuitable for waste disposal due to environmental land use limitations and land use criteria were inventoried and assessed. Subsequently, it is not likely that a solid waste disposal facility would be developed within the city. The goal for the plan's Land Limitation component consists of creating rules and procedures regarding solid waste disposal and handing facilities within city limits. The strategy for this area calls for development of a formal solid waste disposal/handing facility application process specific to the Solid Waste Management Plan.

The plan's final element, Education and Public Involvement, rests with assisting residents in developing an awareness of the social and environmental issues, problems, concerns and opportunities associated with managing solid waste. The plan addresses several strategies designed to meet this goal. The city will continue and enhance education and public information efforts, support solid waste educational within schools and hold annual special events and activities related to solid waste management and planning. Other strategies include designating a local community group or civic organization to take a lead role in public information and education efforts, utilizing local media, websites and email to highlight the benefits of waste reduction and recycling programs and coordinating the distribution of these efforts by way of informational material through various media. Additionally, the city will make an annual disclosure of the full costs of Palmetto's solid waste management services.

Palmetto's Solid Waste Management Plan has been forwarded to Georgia Dept. of Community Affairs for approval. Plans required of municipalities and counties statewide are derived from four requirements of the Solid Waste Management Act. Plans must provide for the assurance of adequate solid waste collection capability and disposal capacity within the planning area for at least 10 years, promote a program to reduce the per capita rate of municipal solid waste by 25 percent, identify solid waste handling facilities in the area and identify local land areas unsuitable for solid waste facilities based on environmental and land use factors.