Philadelphia City Council Introduces 'Zero Waste' Bill to Cut Trash by 60%
Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla has introduced a bill aimed at significantly reducing the city's waste. The proposed 'Zero Waste Circular Economy' plan mandates a 60% diversion of trash from landfills and incinerators. This initiative comes as the Council prepares to review new contracts for waste disposal and recycling. The bill suggests exploring longer 20-year contracts that could incorporate rail transport of waste, municipal composting, and anaerobic digestion, a process that converts organic waste into energy. While the bill does not set an immediate deadline for the 60% goal, Squilla anticipates it could be achieved by approximately 2050, coinciding with the end of the first potential 20-year contract. The Mayor's administration has expressed support for the bill, highlighting its potential to save taxpayer money and move away from current landfilling and incineration practices, which they consider to have similar environmental impacts.
