What can agencies do to help save the Earth?

by Tim Snodgrass
Illinois Association of Park Districts

It seems like everyone is getting on the "environmental bandwagon" these days, and they should. Some environmentalist groups have been working hard for many years to get the word out about conserving natural resources, recycling, protecting the ozone, use of landscape waste, rapidly filling landfills, and many other environmental concerns. Everywhere you look there are billboards, ads, signs, messages, and other reminders about recycling, composting and conserving resources.

Laws have been passed mandating recycling in some states and prohibiting open burning of trash and other refuse. The most recent law that went into effect in Illinois is the July 1,1990, ban on dumping landscape waste in landfills. Landfill owners are required now to have a permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) for composting landscape waste. To date, 30 permits have been approved and more than 35 are pending.

Some Illinois communities have initiated curbside recycling programs which provide recycling bins and weekly pick-up services of certain recyclable items. But so far, this project only impacts about 20 percent of the estimated three million single-family homes in the state.

The Hyatt Regency Chicago has established a recycling program. The 2,033-room luxury convention and exhibition hotel, one of the largest in the country, is the site of a pioneer recycling program. The program is designed to reduce the 7.2 million pounds of trash annually produced at the hotel. The Hyatt Regency Chicago is one of the first hotels in the U.S., and the first in Chicago, to establish an on-site recycling center. Since the program started in September 1989, over 250,000 pounds of materials have been recycled.

The Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) has conducted many studies and surveys to compile a mountain of facts and figures on recycling. According to ENR, Illinoisans produce about 14 million tons of garbage a year and bury more than 90 percent of it in landfills. Because of this, landfill space is filling at a rapid rate and concerned citizens and environmentalists are worried that the landfills in the state will fill faster than alternate ways can be perfected for the disposal of our waste.

Ten years ago, some 600 landfills operated in Illinois. There are fewer than 140 today. And these operating landfills are rapidly reaching capacity. Added to this problem, new landfills are difficult to open because almost everyone has the "not-in-my-backyard" attitude about landfills opening in their communities. So where do we put all of this waste? We can no longer afford to be a "throw-away" society. Each of us adds to the problem and each of us can contribute to the solution.

Park districts and forest preserves should jump on the environmental bandwagon in recycling efforts. After all, one of our main concerns is wise use of open spaces to provide recreational facilities for everyone. We provide the facilities for leisure time activities. We set acres upon acres of land aside for people to use and enjoy. We keep the land inhabited with wildlife. We conserve and preserve the beauty of the land by setting it aside as undeveloped land so people who live in crowded, congested cities will have a place to go where they can learn an appreciation of nature. We are the leaders in conservation because we care about the environment. But, setting aside land isn't the only thing agencies can do to support nature and the environment. They can also be the leaders of environmental efforts like recycling and composting.

How do I start a recycling program? We're just a very small park district with a modest budget.

The easiest thing to do is put a trash bin or can out where facility users will be sure to pass by. Put a big sign on the bin that says, "Deposit recyclable trash here." Have the recyclable materials collected and separated. Recycling only requires a small amount of space and time.

For those agencies that offer concession stands and other food and drink facilities, they should only buy biodegradable cups and containers. Make trash bins for recycling available in many locations that will be convenient for customers. Make sure those bins are appropriately marked. Then, after you have your trash bins and your recycling program in place, write a news release for the local media and get the word out that your agency is recycle conscious. Invite the media for a tour and show them your projects and let them know that you are concerned about the environment. Ask users through your media campaign to support your recycling efforts and use the bins marked for recyclable materials only.

Common products like newspaper, aluminum, steel or tin cans, glass, and plastics are easy to recycle. These items can be collected and delivered to local recycling centers or can be set out on certain days that trash haulers pick up these items.

The support has to begin somewhere. Old habits may be hard to break, but after a few times of reminding yourself about the need to recycle and reuse our waste, recycling will soon become an old habit.

Recycling grants are available from ENR and have been for a while. Some municipalities and park districts have started recycling programs and have benefited from these grants already.

The City of Champaign had a one-year-old curbside recycling program operated by a local trash hauler. The recycling employees dressed in white uniforms with black ties and baseball caps. The idea was that the uniform might help enhance the image of recycling.

The participation rate in the existing program was about 25 percent and the city was looking for ways to increase this number. Since the city was already zoned into five districts for pickup routes, this situation offered an excellent opportunity to test different types of recycling containers and the participation rate when free containers were provided.

Four zones were given different types of containers. The fifth zone was not given a container. Weekly collection was provided by the private contractor. Participation in the curbside program in the four areas receiving the containers increased immediately from 15 to 80 percent. In zone five where no containers were given out and the the participation rate had been about 11 percent, there was no measurable change in participation. This is an abbreviated version of the results, but the investment in the containers quickly regained the costs of the more expensive individual household stops made by the trash hauler.

An eight-page introductory brochure was sent out to Champaign residents and this was followed by informational doorhangers. Doorhangers were used citywide every few months to maintain interest in the program.

The doorhangers proved to be, by far, more cost effective than direct mail or newspaper information.

There are other success stories. All it takes is a commitment to recycling and preserving our natural resources. Finding alternate methods of disposing trash such as incineration is a costly task that requires a great amount of study and research, but starting a recycling program is relatively easy and, in the long run, cost effective.

The Rockford Park District hosted a workshop Aug. 23 in Wood Ridge on recycling options for park districts and forest preserves. The purpose was to increase awareness. Some park districts already have recycling programs in place, but all park districts and forest preserves need to join the recycling effort.

In addition to recycling, park districts and forest preserves can also start compost heaps. On the average, yard waste accounts for 18 percent of all the material buried in landfills in the state each year according to a study conducted by ENR. Now that legislation

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has been passed banning landscape waste from being dumped in landfills, starting a compost heap is the best, and least expensive method of disposing of lawn clippings and other landscape waste.

Grass clippings can be left on the lawn, used as mulch and can also be used in compost. Mulching is a natural recycling process where grass clippings decompose and return valuable nutrients to the soil. Grass clippings are mostly water and break down quickly in the soil. When grass decomposes, nitrogen is released back into the soil thus reducing fertilizer needs. It will help retain soil moisture and reduce the frequency of lawn watering. Grass clippings do not cause thatch build-up. Mowing grass on a frequent and regular basis will result in fewer grass clippings that are visible and will not be a collection concern.

To make compost, select the location and remove the grass and sod cover first where the compost pile will be constructed. The compost bin can be built from many different materials. Wooden bins with covers allow protection from pests and heavy rains. They can be constructed with removable fronts or sides so that materials can be easily turned. Old wooden pallets can be used for construction. Wire mesh can be used on the sides to increase air flow also. Prefabricated compost bins can also be purchased through most gardening catalogues, or they can be built from cement blocks with wooden gates for easy access.

The first layer of compost should consist of 3 to 4 inches of chopped brush or other course material on top of the soil. This will allow air circulation around the base of the heap.

The second layer can consist of 6 to 8 inches of leaves, grass clippings, sawdust, etc. Materials should be "sponge damp."

The third layer should be about 1 inch of soil. This serves as an inoculant by adding microorganisms to the heap. This layer is not necessary since the inocullum needed for composting is usually present; however, it will help speed the composting process.

The fourth layer should consist of 2 to 3 inches of manure or a handfull of commercial fertilizer to provide the nitrogen needed by microorganisms. Water should be added if the manure is dry.

The fifth layer consists of repeating steps one through four. A properly made heap will reach temperatures of 140 to 160 degrees in four to five days. At this time, you'll notice the pile "setting," which is a good sign that it is working properly. At the beginning, the pH of the compost pile will be very acidic, about 4.0, but as the process nears completion, the pH rises to about 7.2. After five to six weeks, fork the materials into a new pile, turning the outside of the old heap into the center of a new pile. Add water if necessary. You shouldn't need to turn the heap a second time. The compost should be ready to use within three to four months. A heap started in late spring can be ready for use in the fall. Another heap can be started in the fall for use in the spring.

You can make compost even faster by turning the pile more often. Check the internal temperature regularly. When it decreases substantially, usually after about a week, turn the pile.

Compost is ready to use when it is dark, brown, crumbly, and earthy smelling. Let is stabilize for a few extra days and screen it through a 1/2 inch screen if you want the finest product. Turn your soil, apply 1 to 3 inches of compost and work it well.

Composting reduces material volume by 70 to 80 percent and returns organic matter to the soil in a usable form. Other savings associated with composting includes using fewer trash bags, reduces water usage and reduces the need to purchase soil conditioners.

An abundance of information is available at the public library, through ENR and IEPA on recycling and composting. By taking steps now to recycle and compost, your budgets could be reduced and the health of the environment increased.

Don't forget to get the word out after your recycling and compost projects are in place. Let everyone know about it and ask for their support. Let the citizens know that you and your agency care about our environment and that you are doing something about it. It will make your customers feel good about using your facilities because, when they recycle, they'll feel like they, too, are making a contribution to a healthy environment.

About the Author

Tim Snodgrass is Communications Director for the Illinois Association of Park Districts. In addition, he is the Editor of Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine and Leisure Review, the association's newsletter. He earned his bachelor of science degree in journalism in 1985 from State University of New York, Albany.