By Matt Roskie
Advantage Advertising

A BOMAG BC1172RB-2 refuse compactor recently purchased by the Salem County Improvement Authority (SCIA) in southwestern New Jersey is helping to extend the life of the authority's landfill.

Opened in 1988, the 250-acre SCIA landfill takes in on average 500 to 600 tons of waste per day from throughout Salem County. The landfill accepts construction/demolition debris, railroad ties and municipal solid waste.

In conjunction with their energy company, SCIA is converting the methane gas from their landfill into electricity through a 1.9 megawatt generator. They will be transferring excess methane gas to the nearby Salem County Community College building to use in place of propane for decorative and scientific glass blowing.

SCIA also promotes numerous recycling programs and advocates the 3 R's of solid waste, which are: 1) recycle by turning trash into treasure, 2) reuse to conserve our natural resources and 3) reduce to save landfill space.

"Landfill space is very valuable," says Melinda J. Williams, assistant director/SCIA/Solid Waste Division and Salem County recycling, clean communities and household hazardous waste coordinator. "Our goal is to recycle as much material as possible to keep it out of our landfill."