Where is "Away"? The Story of Trash

Ever wonder where your trash goes? If you live in the Denver metro area, chances are it's going to the Denver Arapahoe Disposal Site (DADS) landfill, roughly 14 minutes SE from the Buckley Air Force Base. DADS is one of the nation's largest landfills, its footprint is over 2,300 acres and it's projected to be open for another 130 years!   

Previously, waste in the Denver metro area went to the Lowry Landfill which operated from mid 1960-1980. The Lowry landfill became a federal "Superfund" or hazardous waste site in 1984 because of the risk of contaminants migrating off site and harming the environment and public health, and the need for long-term remedial action.

Lowry landfill accepted sewage sludge, asbestos, pesticides, paints as well as liquid and solid municipal and industrial waste. Millions of dollars have been spent to clean up and monitor the groundwater supply.

The sad truth is, the main way we deal with all of our waste is through burying it. In fact, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment has estimated $265 million worth of resources like glass, cartons, cardboard, paper and metals are buried every year in Colorado! Unfortunately, data collected regarding trash in Colorado only dates back 10 years, we have no way of knowing how much trash was  produced and buried in Colorado 20 years ago.

Instead of burying resources, it's best to recycle or compost them instead! Furthermore, recycling creates nine times the jobs per one ton of waste than landfilling, yet we choose to bury our waste instead! When organic material such as food waste, yard waste and even paper products decompose without oxygen, methane gas (84x stronger than CO2) is produced and emitted into the atmosphere.

The average Coloradoan produces 10 pounds of trash per day! Remember to Refuse unnecessary waste such as styrofoam to-go containers or disposable ware and Reuse instead by bringing your own mug or bag (for a discount!) BEFORE recycling, composting and landfilling.