environment
going green
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
A footprint is what we leave behind as we walk. A carbon footprint is the CO2 (carbon dioxide) we leave behind from our lifestyle. The more fossil fuel energy we consume, the bigger our footprint.
Reducing Our Footprint: What the County Does
Buncombe County has a number of programs and initiatives in place to help reduce our footprint and save taxpayer dollars. Here are just a few of those programs...
Recycling
Metal Recycling
Aluminum: In the 6 months preceding February 2008, Buncombe County’s Department of Facilities Management recycled over 2500 lbs of building related aluminum (fan blades, shelving supports, signs and construction scrap). It takes 95% less energy to recycle aluminum into new aluminum products than to produce it from raw materials.
Aluminum can recycling is known as "closed loop recycling". This means that it uses 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum to make more drink cans. 11.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity are saved in one year by aluminum can recycling. This is enough energy to light Pittsburg for 6 years.
Steel: Steel is the most recycled material in the US. In the 8 months prior to February 2008 Buncombe County’s Department of Facilities Management recycled over 12 tons of steel. It takes 60% less energy to produce new steel products using recycled steel.
Steel and aluminum have an endless life cycle. They lose none of their physical qualities when recycled.
Recycling metals such as steel, aluminum and copper not only help reduce our carbon footprint but also benefit taxpayers because the money received by the County for recycling these materials is returned to revenue which help fund our facilities and programs.
Paper Recycling
35 to 40% of our landfill is made up of paper. By keeping that paper out of the landfill we save landfill space and reduce methane gas production. Methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to about 9% of total greenhouse gas production.
Buncombe County Government, in partnership with a local recycler, has started recycling all mixed paper used by County departments.
It takes 40% less energy for a "paper mill" to use recycled paper to make paper products. However a "recycling mill" may use more fossil fuel. Recycling does not save trees that would otherwise be cut, but reduces pollution associated with paper mills (water pollution by 34% and air pollution by 74%).
Building
Lighting
Much of the lighting in county buildings is fluorescent, but some fluorescent lights are more efficient than others. Buncombe County’s Department of Facilities Management has been retrofitting the County’s older fluorescent fixtures with newer more efficient models.
In addition, where incandescent light bulbs are used, new more efficient CFL bulbs are being installed as replacements.
CFL(Compact Fluorescent Lamps) use up to 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last 10 times longer. Each CFL prevents more than 450 lbs of green house gas emissions over its lifetime. That is the equivalent of not burning 210 lbs of coal.
The County has also been replacing many of its incandescently lit exit signs with more efficient LED lit signs.
Parking lot lighting is electronically controlled to reduce burn time.
Preventative Maintenance
Preventative maintenance is key to energy savings. Efficient running Heating Ventalation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems bring the greatest savings. Facilities managment clean filters, grease pumps and motors and properly tentioned belts; all of which return utility dollars to the County and help reduce the amount of energy we use.
Building Materials
The County uses "Reflective Roof Systems" wherever possible. Reflective roofs use a white reflective material rather than the traditional black tar. This material can reduce cooling costs by up to 30% and reduce our energy usage at the same time.
All glass replacement is done with high-efficiency thermo-pane glass with automated environmental controls.
Transportation
Hybrid Vehicles
Buncombe County Government recently purchased 8 new Toyota Prius Hybrids adding to a fleet of 15 hybrid vehicles in an attempt to lower fuel costs. The County reviews every vehicle replacement to determine whether it can be replaced with a hybrid vehicle.
The 2007 Toyota Prius Hybrids get an estimated 50 miles to each gallon. The vehicles being replaced got an estimated 19 miles to the gallon. With this increase in miles per each gallon, the savings in fuel costs for these 8 vehicles is estimated at $11,000 per year.
Replacing these 8 larger, less fuel efficient cars will allow the County to conserve 628 gallons of gas each year. In addition to saving on fuel costs, these cars are certified as Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicles which means they have a near-zero tailpipe emission and a zero evaporative emission.
These new vehicles will be assigned to the County’s Social Work Division and the County Tax Office.
Alternative Fuels
The Solid Waste Division of Buncombe County Government implemented the use of bio-diesel fuel for County vehicles that use diesel. With a grant of $29,655 from the State Energy Office through the NC Solar Center’s Alternative Fuel Incentive Project, the County purchased a retention tank and dispensing pump.
All County-run ambulances, landfill machinery and other diesel-run vehicles now run on B-20, a form of bio-diesel fuel. The result is a 20 percent reduction in the County government’s dependence on fossil fuels with every gallon pumped. It also means that all County vehicles will have an adequate supply of fuel in times of emergency.
Bio-diesel is a cleaner burning diesel replacement fuel made from natural, renewable sources such as new and used vegetable oils and animals fats. B-20 is 20% biodiesel/80% diesel and reduces emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide up to 20 percent. Bio-diesel is domestically produced thereby helping reduce the nation’s dependence on imported oil and helping to boost the agricultural sector of the economy.
Environmental
Buncombe Bioreactor
Ever heard of the Buncombe Biodigester? Thanks to its work, the County may have built its last landfill. Years ago, there were several landfills around Buncombe County. These landfills are now closed.
In 1997 when the County opened the existing landfill on Panther Branch Road in North Asheville, they installed "green" technology called a Bioreactor that digests garbage at an accelerated rate. On its own, the material in the landfill might take 50 years to decompose. With the biodigester, it will only take 15 years.
This means that the County will gain much more space for new material in the future, making this possibly the last landfill sited in the County. Combined with other conservation efforts and the methane gas recovery project, the County landfill is definitely growing green.
For more information, check out the Buncombe Bioreactor website or call 250-5460.
Methane Capture
Look who's energizing Buncombe County
In March (of 2006), NC GreenPower and Buncombe County invited state and local officials to see the landfill methane gas program at the old Buncombe County Landfill generate electricity for the first time. This landfill gas-to-energy project helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and create a safer, cleaner landfill. [read more]
Buncombe Landfill Makes EPA News
Did you know that Buncombe County Landfill Gas program recently made Environmental Protection Agency news?
The Buncombe County Landfill Gas program made Environmental Protection Agency news recently when leaders from other states toured our facility featured as one of the methane gas success stories. To learn more read on: epa.gov
Reducing Our Footprint: How you can help
Recycling
You can drop off all of these items for recycling at the Buncombe County Landfill and Transfer Station at no charge:
- Lead-acid batteries
- Newspaper and brown paper bags
- Office paper and mail
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Commingled Recycleable Containers including #1 - #7 plastic bottles
- Clear, green and brown glass bottles and jars
- Steel Cans
- Yard Waste
- Motor Oils
- Tires
- White goods including stoves, refridgerators, air conditioners, freezers, and all metals
- Empty, triple-rinsed pesticide containers
- Empty propane tanks (20lb, gas grill type only)
- Cut, bare real Christmas trees (remove stands, decorations, lights and tinsel)
- Detergent and shampoo bottles
Mattresses
Every year thousands of mattresses are sent to the Buncombe County landfill for disposal. Since 95% of all mattresses and box springs are recyclable, the Buncombe County Solid Waste Department has decided to stop burying mattresses in the landfill and start recycling them.
Learn more about recycling your old mattress on our recycling page.
Compact Flourecent Lightbulb (CFL) Recycling
Buncombe County's CFL recycing program benefits residents by making it possible to recycle spent bulbs in a simple, safe and environmentally friendly way. Recycling centers are located at all fire stations in the County. For more information, check out the CFL recycling page.
(Source: Energy Information Administration, Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2001)
Abandoned Mobile Home Removal
Buncombe County sponsors a program to remove abandoned, dilapidated or unused mobile homes. The cost to remove the mobile home is covered by the County. There is no charge if you are a Buncombe County property owner.
The goal is to help citizens of the County remove their unwanted mobile homes in a responsible and non-polluting manner. If you own or are aware of a mobile home in your area that appears to be abandoned or unwanted, please call Buncombe County at 250-5470.
Videos
Take a look at some videos we have produced explaining some of our "green" intiatives and how you can get involved. (Windows Media)