4.1 Lucas County Background Information
In order to demonstrate the application of the generalized model outlined in
Chapter 3, two different applications will be presented for the estimation of emissions
and revenue at facilities in Lucas County (OH). By applying the methodology of the
generalized model (see Figure 2), the environmental and financial impact of recycling at
facilities will be modeled and analyzed.
Prior to any analysis, brief background
information will be provided on Lucas County and the management of its solid waste.
4.1.1 Overview of Lucas County
Lucas County is located in northwest Ohio on the shores of Lake Erie.
In
accordance with the 2008 U.S. census, the county’s 2008 population was projected as
440,456 residents. Lucas County covers a land area of 340 square miles and consists of
21 individual municipalities including towns, cities, villages, and townships. The largest
of these municipalities is the City of Toledo which accounts for nearly 70 percent of the
county’s population.
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4.1.2 Lucas County Solid Waste Management District
The Lucas County Solid Waste Management District (LCSWMD) was formed as
a result of Ohio’s House Bill 592. House Bill 592 passed in 1988, required county
commissioners to establish either single or joint solid waste management districts. These
districts were expected to establish local plans for reducing reliance on landfills for waste
disposal by both increasing recycling efforts and reducing the amount of waste being
disposed off [10].
The LCSWMD was formed on March 6, 1989 as a single county district
encompassing all of Lucas County. The district’s current waste management plan was
updated in 2005 to cover a 21 year planning period (2005 – 2025) [10]. The overriding
goal of the LCSWMD plan is to meet Ohio’s 25 percent waste reduction goal for
residential and commercial waste and 50 percent goal for industrial waste. In order to
accomplish this goal a number of programs have been implemented within the district
including, but not limited to, a district drop-off collection program, a yard waste drop-off
program, and municipal curbside recycling programs. The district’s Business Waste
Reduction Program was established in partnership with The University of Toledo to
promote increased waste reduction and recycling in the commercial and industrial
sectors. The model developed in this work will help the district to accomplish its goal of
increasing efforts and reduce the amount of waste being landfilled.
4.2 Case Study
4.2.1 Introduction
A Toledo based solar panel manufacturer is chosen for the study. This facility
designs and develops high performance, flexible and lightweight solar modules. A total
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of 105 trash cans located in different areas of the facility are analyzed to come up with
the results. All the data collected at the facility is presented in Appendix A.
By going through all the trash cans, annual volume of waste generated is estimated and
then using the densities the volumes are converted to weights.
The annual waste
generated the facility in terms of its components is calculated. From this, possible
recyclables are identified and emissions are estimated using the ghg conversion factors
from Table 3.3.
4.2.2 Annual Volume of MSW Generated at the Facility
From the audit conducted at the facility by digging through all 105 trash cans of
different sizes, it is estimated that 376.5 cubic yards of MSW is generated and only 20
cubic yards is being recycled annually. Most of the aluminum cans generated are being
recycled. Annual MSW generated in tons is presented in the next section. More
information is provided in the Figure and table below.