Banned cardboard, recyclables among trash from Cedar Rapids data center sites, Solid Waste Agency...
Google and QTS data centers under construction in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, are reportedly disposing of banned cardboard, wood pallets, and metal in the Linn County Landfill. The Solid Waste Agency is charging double for these loads and suggests municipalities could enact an ordinance to mandate recycling for such projects.
KCRG-TV9 reported on significant waste management issues at the Google and QTS data center construction sites in Southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Images from the Linn County Landfill showed numerous garbage loads from these projects containing banned materials such as cardboard, as well as recyclable wood pallets and metal. The Solid Waste Agency stated that these data center projects have generated 40 million pounds of trash over the last year, consuming valuable landfill space intended for residents and local businesses.
According to the Solid Waste Agency, cardboard has been banned from the landfill since 1999, and since July, companies have been charged double per ton for loads containing it. Despite these increased charges, the agency noted that the data centers have not been incentivized to change their disposal practices. The Solid Waste Agency recommended that municipalities could require a certain percentage of materials to be recycled by including such a mandate in future ordinances, suggesting it would also save the companies money by avoiding fines and finding alternative outlets for recyclable materials.
Both Google and QTS provided statements in response to the report. Google stated it has "rigorous standards" and will "continue to collaborate with the local waste management facilities to ensure any waste from our project is being recycled responsibly." QTS commented that it lacked "enough context regarding the materials shown in the photos" but remains "committed to developing our Cedar Rapids campus responsibly and being a good partner in the community."