Dallas Adopts Zero Waste Plan Even without Flow Control

Date: February 25, 2013

Source: News Room

The City of Dallas has adopted a long range plan to become a "zero waste" city. To achieve that end, it recommends expanding recycling goals to businesses and rental homes that are not currently included in the city's recycling programs. These are served by private companies and few have recycling. 50 percent of Dallas residents reportedly live in rental homes. The plan's timeline calls for diverting 40 percent of waste from the landfill by 2020 and 60 percent by 2030. The goal of reaching "zero waste" by 2040 is to be achieved by maximizing waste diversion rather than complete elimination. Absent from the plan is the flow control measure that would have required all waste generated in the city be taken to the City's landfill where a high-tech material and energy recovery facility was proposed. A judge ruled against the flow control measure as a violation of the city's existing contracts with its private haulers. The city is seeking a new trial in the case.

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