Questions and Answers
Answer: Marin’s approach to waste and recycling has changed dramatically since Redwood opened almost 50 years ago, and Redwood needs a new permit to meet the county’s evolving needs. For instance, Redwood’s existing permit does not allow onsite processing and recycling of mixed debris from Marin construction projects. Also, a new permit would clarify whether Redwood’s allowable capacity under its earlier permit referred only to waste received, or to waste plus the clean cover required by state regulations.
Answer: NO. Redwood is NOT seeking to increase the amount of waste we can accept, the landfill’s permitted height, or the size of its footprint. We will continue to accept commercially hauled waste from the areas closest to us - Marin and southern Sonoma counties, as is the case today. The proposed project will allow us to continue and expand our recycling and other diversion activities, but will not raise the height of the landfill above the 166 feet already permitted.
Answer: Redwood supports Marin County’s waste reduction goals. Currently 50% of the materials received at Redwood are recycled, and our proposed project would enable an even higher percentage. Redwood Landfill and Recycling Center is responsible for 33% of the County’s diversion activities, and that amount can increase when its new permit is approved.
On a statewide level Redwood’s parent firm, Waste Management, supports the California Integrated Waste Management Board’s Zero Waste Policy. However, until zero waste is achieved, Marin’s homes and businesses generate tons of waste every day that must be managed safely and cleanly. Exporting waste, or sending waste from nearby communities to distant landfills, is called “environmental dumping” and it is a bad policy. Trucking waste to far-away places produces tons of pollution and greenhouse gas and does nothing to increase recycling.
Answer: NO. Redwood is safe. It has been soundly engineered to withstand the strongest plausible seismic scenario and to be stable with much more than its total allowable capacity. Land stability is monitored regularly. Redwood’s levee system is continuously maintained and monitored to meet U.S. Corps of Engineers standards of withstanding a 100-year flood. Independent water quality testing ensures there is no leaking or seepage. The landfill sits on an average of 20 and 40 feet of clay, which has an exceedingly low rate of permeability. The facility has a sophisticated leachate collection system with inward drainage. No ground water contamination has ever been detected from the landfill into the surrounding area in its 48 years of operation. Redwood’s location is safe and convenient for most Marin households and businesses, which minimizes the pollution from trucking waste to great distances. There are no acceptable alternative sites in the county.
Answer: Redwood recycles “green” waste – yard trimmings and landscape debris – for re-sale as compost and use as ground cover. Unclean ground wood waste is also mixed with municipal sludge and re-used as daily cover for the garbage. Redwood also recycles concrete and asphalt, which is crushed and reused for roadways. Redwood recycles construction-demolition material that arrives pre-sorted, and with its new permit will be able to apply for a 400-ton-per-day facility to sort and recycle much more construction-demolition material to help Marin meet its recycling goals. Redwood also recycles “white” goods (appliances), waste oil and batteries. Redwood does NOT accept hazardous waste.
Answer: NO. The Marin County Re-Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (September 2007) cites transportation (62%) and energy use by residential and commercial sectors (31%) as Marin’s biggest sources of greenhouse gases. Agriculture is also a significant source. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirms that Redwood actually helps reduce greenhouse gas by capturing and safely flaring up to 90% of its direct landfill gas emissions – about half methane – which otherwise would produce 23 times as much greenhouse gas.
Redwood’s parent company, Waste Management, was the first waste company to join the California Climate Action Registry to voluntarily report greenhouse gas emissions, and was the first Fortune 500 company to support AB 32, the California Climate Solutions Act of 2006.