Green Works Government

Sustainable Infrastructure

Reclaimed Water - In 2010, Orlando reached 90% reuse of its waste water, most likely the highest rate in the entire county.

Recycling - 38% of garbage collected in Orlando was recycled in the past year. In total, 150,098 tons were recycled, an overall tonnage decrease due to the economic slowdown.

Sustainable Materials Facility - By 2014, Orlando will possess what is potentially the most innovative waste water plant in the world. Orlando intends to showcase economically-viable and environmentally-friendly methods to process waste – both to reduce its footprint and cost, and to demonstrate these technologies to other municipal leaders. Specifically, the plant will possess the following:

Reclaimed water processing (complete)
 
Super Critical Sludge Oxidation Plant – This process converts waste water sludge into clean water, electricity, and hot water for 6,000 homes. The pilot unit came online in Summer 2010.
 
Anaerobic Digestion – Prior to super critical, methane will be extracted from the sludge to generate electricity (RFP issued).
 
Brown Grease to Energy Project – The City will site a brown grease collection facility and transform it into biofuel (RFP issued in Summer 2010)
 
Ethanol Production – The City is also exploring the harvesting of cattails grown at another waste water facility to create ethanol. Currently the cattails must be burned two times per year.
 
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Gasification – one of the first MSW gasification plants in the U.S. The plant will collect recyclables and then gasify the remaining material into synthesis gases that will be used for electricity generation or transportation fuels (RFP will tentatively be issued in October 2010)
 

Solar Power – the City is also studying several solar installations.