FULLERTON : City Trash Studied to Reduce Volume

Paper, food and wood waste account for more than half of the city’s trash, according to the second phase of a study designed to find more effective ways of reducing the amount of garbage sent to the county’s landfills.

The city’s waste-characterization study, based on samplings of trash collected from May to August and September to December, 1990, found that paper waste accounted for 31% of the city’s refuse, while organic waste, including discarded food and wood, accounted for an additional 25%.

The findings were revealed in a study by the Environmental Institute of Cal State Fullerton, which was contracted by the city to conduct the study and determine effective ways of reducing the amount of trash shipped daily to county landfills.

Since the study began last July, samples have been collected and sorted from single-family residences, apartment complexes, supermarkets, restaurants, medical facilities, schools and industrial facilities.

With the majority of state, county and city landfills filled to capacity, the state is requiring cities and counties to develop plans to reduce solid waste by 25% by Jan. 1, 1995, and 50% by the year 2000. Cities and counties must also devise a comprehensive recycling program by the same deadlines.

Fullerton must have its plan ready by Dec. 20; it is to be included in a countywide Intergrated Waste Management Plan.