Musings: A cloud over town landfill
The Brookhaven landfill is expected to close in 2027 or 2028. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Considering the uncertainty facing the ultimate closing of the Town of Brookhaven landfill and no concrete alternatives being put forth, recycling is not a panacea for the waste troubles on the horizon.
I have profound interest in this: After over 40 years of investigating what constitutes the waste stream on Long Island, I doubt answers will now be found in encouraging more recycling. What is even more astounding is that more than $4 million has been assigned to collect redundant data.
The unspeakable truth is that recycling “doesn’t pay.” It has never been an economical effort but a feel-good exercise. That doesn’t mean reducing the waste stream isn’t a worthwhile endeavor; it’s just that good data is not found in what is thrown out.
The end product of reuse of certain materials needs sustainable markets. Suggesting to residents that recycling needs better education and personal efforts will never lead to better participation. The collection of reusable waste will only be successful when the markets’ demands meet supply.
In a free-market atmosphere, the cost of collection and separation of waste must be weighed against the value of an end product. Garbage in is garbage out, and the ultimate cost will be higher taxes and hauling off unusable recyclables.
Ultimately, if markets are not secured before any re-education, that will be the real waste.
— Elizabeth Gallagher, Islip
The writer is a former commissioner of the Town of Islip Department of Environmental Control.
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