Collier won't pursue experimental solid waste technology

In 2001 the County Commission endorsed looking into thermal conversion as a way of reducing the amount of material that goes into the 300-acre Naples Landfill, which is just east of Collier Boulevard and Interstate 75, north of the I-75 tollbooth. Since that time the staff has pursued a gasification contract with two different firms, Interstate Waste Technologies (IWT) and Brightstar Environmental.

Thermal conversion, commonly known as gasification, takes solid waste and turns the majority of it into a synthetic gas.

County Manager Jim Mudd and County Commissioner Jim Coletta visited a plant run by Brightstar Environmental in Wollengong, Australia, two years ago in a quest for the latest in gasification technology. They came back believing the gasification process was worth looking into.

On Tuesday, the county gave up the hope that gasification could help when commissioners unanimously told staff to end negotiations with Brightstar Environmental. Negotiations with IWT broke off in July.

Energy Developments Ltd. of Australia withdrew its financial backing from Brightstar Environmental early this year. Energy Developments is the parent company of Brightstar.

After financing was withdrawn it was determined that Brightstar did not have the resources needed to offer gasification to Collier County.

County officials said they would not look for another firm to provide gasification services.

At Tuesday's meeting, county officials decided they had enough of the technology and would not pursue a contract with another company. Staff felt the technology was too uncertain to continue pursuing.

"As far as the county is concerned we are no longer looking into this technology," said Solid Waste Director George Yilmaz. "This was only one component in our solid waste management program and it will not impact the rest of our program."

Collier County spent about $96,000 pursuing gasification, said spokeswoman Margie Hapke.

Yilmaz said the county's total solid waste program is strong despite the failure to utilize gasification. The goal of the program is still to prolong the life of the landfill by finding other ways to dispose of and recycle solid waste without creating odors that can be smelled outside of the landfill.

On Tuesday, the commissioners authorized staff to negotiate with Waste Management Inc. of Florida to pursue a landfill gas-to-energy facility at the Naples Landfill.

This facility, if built, would allow for the effective collection and management of methane gas generated by the landfill and reduce emissions by not burning landfill gas using flares, which is done now.

The county will also look at ways to improve recycling and solid waste collection efforts.

Bob Krasowski, spokesman for Zero Waste Collier, a grass-roots citizens group, said the county should be embarrassed over the amount of money it spent on Brightstar. Krasowski was critical of the technology before commissioners decided to look into it in 2001.

Zero Waste Collier is a collection of residents who support finding ways to discard solid waste so that it doesn't damage the environment and protects the citizens of Collier County.

Krasowski said Collier County got bad advice from Malcolm Pirnie, a firm that advises the county on solid waste issues.

"Malcolm Pirnie has pushed its own agenda and it hasn't produced results," Krasowski said. "What's good for Malcolm Pirnie isn't necessarily good for Collier County. I'm disappointed the county has continued to throw money at them."

County officials declined to comment on Krasowski criticisms.

Krasowski said he has become frustrated at county officials because he believes they have not paid attention to the recommendations made by Zero Waste.

"They have not been open or forthcoming in their decisions," Krasowski said. "Lately we've been shut out."

At the last commission meeting, Krasowski petitioned commissioners to hold a workshop on solid waste management issues. The commission rejected Krasowski's petition.

Krasowski said he wants the county to solicit proposals from independent qualified consultants that detail how they would improve the solid waste disposal situation in Collier County.