MWA is an active participant in the discussion and solution of environmental issues that affect our communities and our state, both at the local level and at the State House. For more information on MWA's position on legislative issues, please contact Metro Waste Authority.
Support an Environmental Management System Approach to Solid Waste Management
MWA supports looking at overall environmental impact as a means for measuring performance in solid waste management. This approach is known as an environmental management system or EMS. Through an EMS-approach, solid waste planning areas would be measured not only on diversion of waste but also on a number of other criteria including their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve water quality, provide for the safe disposal of household hazardous waste, and offer recycling and waste reduction programs that are significant in volume and give the best environmental return for the investment. The result will be continuous improvement that will allow whole regions to become better stewards of our resources.
Maintain and Modernize Iowa's "Bottle Bill"
Iowa's container law ("the Bottle Bill") is a highly successful diversion and recycling program for a specific waste stream. The results speak for themselves. Iowans recycle 90 percent of items included in the Bottle Bill, while neighboring states (without Bottle Bills) recycle approximately 30 percent of the same materials. MWA supports broadening Iowa's Bottle Bill to include additional products and to increase the handling fee for facilities that accept returns. MWA also supports ensuring redemption centers are convenient for the consumer.
Continue to use Landfill Gas as an Alternate Energy Source
Almost ten years ago, MWA partnered with MidAmerican Energy and Waste Management of Iowa, Inc., to use the methane gas produced by the decomposing waste in the landfill to create electricity to meet the energy needs of close to 10,000 area businesses, schools and residents. In the past, gas was flared off into the atmosphere. Now, the gas is collected and used to generate electricity. MWA supports any efforts to provide incentives for the production of electricity from landfill gas, as well as recognition of landfill gas as a viable alternative energy source.
Ban Open Burning for the Health of All Iowans
MWA urges the legislature to consider banning the open burning of garbage in communities across the state. The open burning of refuse emits dioxins and other toxic chemicals that pose a threat to the health of both rural and urban residents. Smoke from open burning also contains other pollutants, including particulate matter, sulfur dioxides, lead, mercury and hexacholrobenzene. Breathing these pollutants can damage lungs, the nervous system, kidneys and liver. An outright prohibition on open burning should be passed and cost-effective alternatives to burning should be considered.
