Garbage company goes green

Feb 26, 2010 The Bradenton Herald



Carl Mario Nudi

Feb. 26, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- MANATEE -- The use of renewable energy will only become commonplace and viable in Florida if businesses embrace it, instead of waiting for government.

That was one of the points state Sen. Mike Bennett told a crowd of about 50 at the dedication Thursday of a solar power-generating system at the Waste Pro facilities at 7921 15th St. E.

"We need companies like Waste Pro to say, 'We'll pay our share,' " Bennett said. "It will be a long time before we get a renewable energy bill through the Legislature in these economic times."

Keith Banasiak, regional vice president of Waste Pro, said he was committed to the project because it was the right thing to do.

"It means a lot to me to be a green garbage company," Banasiak said.

He said he picked the location across from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport instead of way out in the country because he wanted the company to be part of the community.

The company installed a 5,000-square-foot photovoltaic system on the roof of the building at a cost of about $225,000. It produces 25 kilowatts of electricity.

This is about 80 percent of the facility's electrical needs, Banasiak said, and should show a return on investment in about 18 months.

EcoTechnologies, in Sarasota, installed the system, and its CEO, Peter Laughlin, said he wanted to bring these systems to everyone.

"We're in the Sunshine State," Laughlin said. "We should be doing more of this.

"Waste Pro are creating free power every single day," he said. "This is an example of a company taking a leadership role."

The panels used at Waste Pro were built in Michigan, but, Laughlin said, Florida is missing a big economic opportunity.

He said if there was a funding source, "50,000 jobs would be created overnight, from engineers to installers."

Also, there would be more jobs in manufacturing if Florida leaders would embrace renewable energy.

Laughlin announced at the dedication ceremony the formation of a coalition of industry groups to lobby the Legislature for funding for their plan.

The administration at Manatee Technical Institute has recognized renewable energy is the future, said Maura Howl, spokeswoman for the school.

"We've received a grant to have the students in construction trades build carports with solar panels on the roofs," Howl said. "The students will learn about solar technology from that experience."

She said "green" technology is incorporated into all of the construction trade and manufacturing curricula.

EcoTechnologies employees will instruct the students on solar panel installation, Howl said.

To further follow Waste Pro's motto of "Blue Skies, Green Earth" -- that is why the trucks are painted blue and green -- Banasiak said they have instituted other energy-saving programs.

One is of which is an oil purified system that extends the life of motor oil in the garbage trucks from about 300 hours to about 1,200.

"This is helping to reduce our carbon footprint with cleaner exhaust emissions," Banasiak said, "and using less natural resources."

Newstex ID: KRTB-0027-42383842