The City of Bellevue Nebraska is working hard to become the first City in the United States to include the Hefty Energy Bag program into their city-wide solid waste contract. The program is currently being tested successfully in their solid waste pay-as-you-throw pilot program area, as well as throughout the Bellevue and Omaha area. Leaders in Bellevue have recognized this ground-breaking program as an opportunity to further their sustainability efforts to control their waste impact on local landfills.
The program collects previously non-recycled plastics at curbside and converts them into energy resources. Packaging can be very complex. Many forms of plastic packaging are made up of multiple layers of different materials that serve individual purposes. The complexity of plastic packaging makes it challenging to recycle mechanically in existing recycling facilities, leading to disposal at the local landfill.
The Hefty® Energy Bag program makes it possible for these materials to be collected at curbside, and it provides an alternative to sending the products to the landfill. The program means fewer tons of non-recycled plastics in landfills, more energy resources, and less dependence on fossil fuel energy.
Bellevue leadership has stepped up to support this program, which demonstrates the feasibility of collecting non-recycled plastics, sorting them at a local materials recycling facilities and effectively converting them into energy resources at energy conversion facilities – all via existing waste management infrastructure.
This program integration into the City’s solid waste contract is scheduled to be presented to the Bellevue City Council on May 8th, 2017 at 6 pm. There will be a public education event, led by City Officials, at the Sarpy County Earth Day, April 30th, from 12pm-4pm at the Bellevue Lied Center. Public will also be able to hear more about this program at the Earth Day Omaha event, where Mayor Rita Sanders will be there representing Bellevue and it’s support for the Hefty Energy Bag program.
The included picture was taken after a recent meeting with local leaders and Dow’s Global Sustainability Team. Pictured left to right; Han Zang, Sustainability and Advocacy Manager, Dow Chemical – Dale Gubbels, CEO/Chairman Firststar Fiber, Inc – Jeff Wooster, Global Sustainability Leader, Dow Chemical- Epiphany Ramos, Wastewater Operations Manager, City of Bellevue – Joe Mangiamelli, City Administrator, City of Bellevue – Jeff Roberts, Public Works Director, City of Bellevue – Rita Sanders, Mayor, City of Bellevue
For more information about the Hefty Energy Bag Program in Bellevue please contact the City of Bellevue Wastewater Operations Department at 402-293-3136