– The Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center has been hosting site tours for years. But for residents who cannot visit the landfill, Waste Management encourages taking the virtual tour on its website.
"Visiting the landfill in person is the best way to get a complete understanding of what happens when your trash and recycling are removed from the containers you put out at the curb," said Scott Tignac, District Manager of the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center (SVLRC). "But we understand that not everyone has the time or inclination to take an in-person tour so the virtual online tour is a great option."
The online tour demonstrates the process of creating "cells," or disposal areas, where trash will be deposited. It is an intricate process in which cells are lined with a high-density polyethylene liner and other materials to protect the surrounding environment. Once a cell has been created, refuse can be deposited.
In addition, the tour provides an overview of SVLRC's green programs, including its landfill gas-to-energy facility which takes the gases that are created by the natural decomposition of refuse and converts it to energy. This energy powers the landfill operations, including the office lights and the scales at the weigh station. The energy that is not used by the landfill is purchased by Southern California Edison to provide power to more than 2,500 homes in the local community. The SVLRC also uses more than 11 million gallons per year of reclaimed water for irrigation at the landfill.
"We are very proud of what we've done to protect the environment and the community at the Simi Valley Landfill, and we hope that between the real tour and the virtual tour, everyone who is interested in local landfill issues will have a chance to learn a little more about our facility," added Tignac.
Individuals interested in the virtual tour of the SVLRC should visit www.keepingventuracountyclean.com/simivalleylandfill.html and click on "Landfill Tour." Another interesting feature of the website is the video "The Story of Garbage" which is located on the home page of www.keepingventuracountyclean.com. This video tracks the history of garbage disposal from the pre-historic era. For more information about actual landfill tours, please contact Scott Tignac at Waste Management at 805-579-7478.
Waste Management provides Ventura County with recycling, trash hauling and solid waste disposal through G.I. Industries and the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. Waste Management has owned and operated G.I. Industries since 1998 and the SVLRC site since 1983 and employs more than 230 people in Ventura County. The SVLRC provides approximately 60% of Ventura County's daily refuse disposal needs. The company operates a "green power" program at the site that generates enough power for 2,500 homes, and clean-burning LNG powers 38 of its trucks. Waste Management is a significant contributor to area community groups. For more information visit our website www.keepingventuracountyclean.com.
