DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - An old incinerator in Deerfield Beach was taken down by demolition crews to make way for a controversial expansion of the neighboring landfill.
7Skyforce hovered over the scene on Friday morning, where crews imploded a building to remove the unused incinerator. A plume of smoke filled the air where the building stood, as residents were warned to stay inside.
The property was cleared in a series of small explosions because of a proposal for the expansion of the landfill. Officials with Waste Management are now hoping to use the 24 acres off of Sample Road.
The incinerators were shut down in 2015. However, the county has not yet approved the expansion.
Officials with Waste Management claim the landfill will be at full capacity in six years.
“What if we don’t do this? What happens? Well, that 5,000 tons a day has to go someplace,” said Waste Management spokesperson Chris Carey during a Deerfield Beach City Commission hearing held on May 7.
However, Deerfield Beach residents expressed their opposition. City commissioners agreed, and they told Waste Management to find somewhere else to put the trash.
Broward County commissioners are set to vote on the landfill expansion in August or September.
If it doesn’t get approval, Waste Management will be forced to truck garbage elsewhere, and that will be passed on to Broward taxpayers.
“I have not seen anybody tell me what the long-term game plan is for resolving this issue,” said Deerfield Beach Commissioner Michael Hudak.
The metal and concrete left over from Friday’s demolition will be recycled. As for the residue found at the implosion site, it will go in the landfill.
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