By Helena Tavares Kennedy | Photos by Amanda Causey Baity
Many think of the landfill as anything but a destination – other than one for trash. But the landfill the Prince William County Solid Waste Division runs is quite a fascinating place to visit. Between monster trucks, circling birds, a pollinator playground, walking paths, repurposed canoes and tires filled with bee-friendly plants, there are plenty of reasons to explore the landfill. Here are three more you’ll discover when you take the official tour.
Reason 1: Mesmerizing Methane Mountain.
Perhaps you’ve only been to the landfill to drop off hazardous waste or old electronics, but it really is awe inspiring to see the looming hill, or as some children call it, “the big mountain.” Watching the seemingly tiny, yet mighty, trucks make their way up this monstrous mound as eagles fly nearby provides entertainment on its own.
But this unique mountain also offers opportunity to observe how methane gas is captured and used to produce electricity onsite. The division won state and national awards for its gas-to-energy program, which also earned the county recognition from the EPA’s Landfill Methane Outreach Program.
“Prince William Landfill’s energy facility produces over six megawatts of energy production for the county, providing about 5,000 homes in Prince William with electricity as well as heat for nearby county facilities,” said Deborah K. Campbell, communications specialist at the Solid Waste Division.
Also nice? No smell. As trash decomposes and methane gas is produced, landfills typically smell terrible. Here, methane gas is captured in about 100 underground wells, which go to the energy facility where gas is converted to fuel used to produce electricity. It brings that electricity into Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative’s electricity grid.
Reason 2: Captivating Compost.
Another place to visit is the compost facility on Balls Ford Road, where you may have purchased mulch. Construction is underway for a facility to process yard, wood and food waste. The county is working with Freestate Farms LLC on the project.
“When fully developed, the Freestate facility will recycle over 80,000 tons per year of organic waste into high-value compost, soil products and non-synthetic fertilizers,” said Campbell. “It will also generate baseload renewable energy and environmental attributes, and it will produce sustainable and locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables for sale back into the community.”
Construction of the facility began earlier this year. When complete, “it will double the processing capacity of organic material at the Balls Ford Road facility, extend the life of the landfill by reducing the amount of yard waste and food waste that would be buried and create about 20 new jobs,” said Campbell. And, it will provide another fun destination!
Reason 3: Fun-Filled Events.
To celebrate Earth Day this year, the division is hosting a free “Compost Awareness Day” April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Connaughton Plaza, 1 County Complex Court (near the McCoart building).
“This year’s theme, ‘Cool the Climate – Compost!’ will help visitors learn about the benefits of compost, how to compost at home, how to make a rain barrel and other gardening and environmental tips from the experts at Virginia Cooperative Extension Prince William Master Gardeners,” Campbell said.
The division will also provide opportunity for residents to shred personal, confidential documents on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the landfill and Yung Elementary School.
“Due to construction, this service will not be available at the Balls Ford Road facility,” said Campbell. “The event is open to residents only, no business or commercial shredding, and they are accepting confidential documents only. Non-confidential documents should be recycled curbside or at the citizen drop-off facilities.”
Prince William Recycles Day on Saturday, October 12 is a family-friendly event that includes landfill tours and fun activities to learn about trash, recycling and environmental issues. Check out pwcgov.org/trashandrecycling for information on these and other events, all at the local landfill.
Contributing writer Helena Tavares Kennedy (hkennedy@princewilliamliving.com), a longtime Prince William County resident is a freelance writer, editor, and communications consultant at htkmarketingservices.com
