ECUA Recyclables Going Into The Landfill After Facility Fire; Customers Encouraged To Stay In Recycling Habit

July 22, 2021

Recyclables in Escambia County are going into the landfill following a recycling facility fire last week, but the Emerald Coast Utility Authority is encouraging residents to stay in the recycling habit.

The fire, possibly sparked by a propane tank or a battery, appeared to have originated in a chute in the metal sorting area the afternoon of July 15 at ECUA’s Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) located at the Perdido Landfill in Beulah.

“In addition to the fire damage, there is also a lot of water damage to materials and electrical systems,” ECUA Public Information Officer Nathalie Bowers told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday afternoon. She said the recyclables still being collected are being landfilled because there is simply to place to store them until the facility is back up and running.

“ECUA maintenance crews and contractors are working diligently to clean up and repair the areas that were damaged by the fire in order to bring MRF operations back as soon as possible. Meanwhile, we are continuing normal recycling collections and urge our customers to keep in the positive recycling habit,” Bowers said.

ECUA has also put the brakes on recyclables normally processed at the MRF from other cities, counties and commercial entities.

Bowers also praised MRF staff for their quick actions to save machine such as backhoes from the building, along with Escambia Fire Rescue personnel that responded.

Pictured above and below: Inside the ECUA Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at the Perdido Landfill as cleanup was beginning. Pictured bottom: Smoke pours from the MRF on Thursday, July 15. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

6 Responses to “ECUA Recyclables Going Into The Landfill After Facility Fire; Customers Encouraged To Stay In Recycling Habit”

  1. LP on September 16th, 2021 9:34 am

    It’s called “recycling”, not “garbage” (that goes into a landfill). How can you possibly get people interested in actually recycling – when you guys just turn around & dump it. Might as well just go ahead & put it in the Trash!

  2. A.W.Thompson on July 24th, 2021 3:32 am

    Why can’t the county employees sort it out then the county gets the $$$ then that money could go toward operating expense at the landfill.An episode of Dirty Jobs gave me the idea.The employees are already getting paid,just my humble opinion.Hey in the garbage and sanitation world business is always picking up.A.W. Thompson Lower Mosquito Flats Cutoff.

  3. Dewayne on July 23rd, 2021 2:19 pm

    @ Molino resident, BPD, and CJ Lewis

    Why dont you call the ECUA and ask all your inquiring questions.?
    Stop embarrassing yourself !!!!
    (850) 476-0480…
    Seems like a bunch of people need some attention

  4. CJ Lewis on July 22nd, 2021 9:37 am

    Even prior to the fire, how many tons of non-recyclable stuff was transferred from the MRF to the landfill? ECUA brings in recycled stuff from all over the place to include other states. As example, ECUA accepts recycled material from Waste Management of Mississippi. How many tons of waste from other counties to include other states does ECUA send over to the landfill? By how many years does this shorten the usable lifespan of the Perdido Landfill owned by Escambia County? If the the MRF only accepted recyclables from Escambia County, how much longer would the Perdido Landfill last?

  5. BPD on July 22nd, 2021 6:54 am

    I would like to know, why for the last month or so, ECUA seems to not be able to pick up the recycle cans in Barrineau Park.

  6. Molino resident on July 22nd, 2021 4:50 am

    If this is the case then why has my recycling not been picked up consistently lately. In fact, it wasn’t picked up this week. I have never had this much trouble getting picked up as I have had this year. It’s getting ridiculous!