Landfills are eyesores but they present a harsh reality of our wasteful ways. Even though we all are recycling like never before, what happens to all those acres of land that are now- landfills. I came across a great video that talks about how landfill owners are now installing solar panels on the acres of barren land devoid of trees.
Hickory Ridge is one such landfill that was a big pile of trash on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia. But now, with its 10 acres of solar panels, it stands for renewable energy.
“When a landfill is (finished with) taking waste, it basically is dormant and there’s not a lot of uses for the property,” says David Stuart, area environmental manager of landfill owners, Republic Services, Inc.
“But its natural attributes — being a tall structure, out of the shadows of the tree line — gives it a unique advantage as a solar project,” he added.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency there are around 100,000 closed landfills in the U.S. providing thousands of acres of land that could be used for renewable energy.
Image Hickory Ridge landfill solar cover as seen by air when flying into Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (Photo via HDR Engineering Inc.)
About Priti AmbaniPriti Ambani writes about social and environmental enterprises, start-ups and Web 2.0 businesses. She is the Managing Editor of Ecopreneurist.
Specializing in her ability to work with impact organizations from the ground up, Priti has developed successful business and communications strategies for fledgling start-ups, social and environmental enterprises. She also serves as a sustainability consultant at GreenDen Consultancy and advises on corporate social responsibility and the triple bottom line.
Priti is a Professional Engineer and holds a Master’s degree in Biological Resources Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park.
I’ve included a like to our local reclaimed landfill that the city has made into an amazing green space. My wife and I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to take a stroll to the summit.. great view and a great place to sit and enjoy great weather and a people friendly place.
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/MclennanPark.asp
This was the link.. my message says a like.. sorry.