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Douglas County showcases Greenworks recycling hub; county-operated biochar facility on track
Summary
County staff reported the Greenworks site has served about 7,500 customers since April across mulch, electronics and hazardous-waste programs; the county expects biochar equipment delivery Sept. 21 and commissioning in February, describing the facility as a potential national model.
Douglas County staff gave the board an update Aug. 11 on the Greenworks recycling and waste-diversion site, reporting roughly 7,500 customers across several programs since opening in April.
Assistant Public Works Director Dan Roberts told commissioners the site’s slash/mulch program has moved about 15,000 cubic yards of material and nearly 5,000 customers have used that service. The county’s newly launched electronic-waste program had taken in about 75,000 pounds of electronics not permitted in the landfill; the household hazardous waste pick-up, launched the week prior, had served about 125 residents. Roberts said those programs reduce landfill disposal and shorten travel for residents who previously drove to other jurisdictions for specialized disposal.
Commissioners praised the initiative and highlighted the county’s biochar project. Commissioner Layton called the planned facility "the nation's first county-operated biochar facility" and said converting woody biomass into biochar can reduce water use and help remove PFAS from water when applied to soils. Staff said the biochar equipment is scheduled for delivery Sept. 21 and the commissioning goal is in February; construction and covered-storage work were shown in staff photos during the briefing.
Roberts and staff recognized the Greenworks operations team and local partner agencies for supporting the program. The board took no formal action on the informational item.
