Animal remains in county compost

About 3,300 animals taken to Sevier County Humane Society are composted in Sevier County Waste Management Inc. digesters that creates compost used in local gardens Sevier County Waste Inc. for years has been combining dog, cat and other animal bodies with waste items that are turned into compost in three days. Items such as sludge and other waste collected from the county are combined together with animals in plastic bags dropped off each week from the Sevier County Humane Society and other sources. Sevier County Waste Inc. is used and supported by Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevier County. Tom Leonard, manager of Sevier County Waste Inc. states that they have the latest in technology used at their facility on Ridge Road. Other publications have praised how Sevier County Waste Inc.’s approach to managing its waste disposal problems is a case study of the benefits municipalities can achieve through cooperation, creativity and a willingness to change. The 23% growth in Sevier County, from 1980 to 1990 created a 100% increase in the amount of solid waste the county disposed of during the same period. After instituting a co-composting facility Sevier County Waste Inc. has reduced its municipal waste stream by 75 percent--far in excess of the 25 percent waste diversion mandate set by the state of Tennessee. The three day digestion period to turn animals, sludge and other household and commercial garbage into compost leaves a few people curious as to the safety and health issues brought to mind. Leonard states that most people are not aware that dead chickens are used as compost on many commercial growing farms that grow vegetables and other edible items. Jayne Vaughn, director of the Sevier County Humane Society said that the shelter cannot afford to maintain the expensive incinerator that was used to dispose of animals. “I just got a bill for over $3,000 for propane for two months and that’s just to heat this old building,” Vaughn said. “We’ve spent so much money on that incinerator only to have it continually break and the only company that works on this one comes from Florida.” The shelter can’t afford to pay the company per diem, travel expenses and the cost of repairing the equipment, according to Vaughn. Dan King is the employee at the check-in station at the waste facility. According to King, a pickup comes from the shelter each week and dumps the animals that are in plastic bags in “the pit.” They are combined with the other garbage and shoved into one of five digesters that hold about 15 tons of garbage each. According to Vaughn’s figures, there are about 64 dogs and cats disposed of weekly in the compost. King says the digesters spin around and creates its own heat. He thinks enough heat to kill any bacteria, and works like a septic tank with bugs in it which break down all the trash except for the plastic and metal. After three days the process is complete according to King. According to county ordinance, it is illegal to place a dead animal in a dumpster. The fine can be up to $500.00. Mike Apple, Technical Secretary of State Solid Waste Mgmt and member of the Solid Waste Disposal Control Board of Tennessee Department of Environmental and Conservation (TDEC), told the Herald that, “According to our records, we don’t have anyone in the state at this time that is licensed or permitted to put animals into digesters.” Apple stated that he’s checked with other surrounding states regarding this matter and they suggested that it (animals into digesters) not be performed. “I’ve got my people on this and we’ll be sure to work with Sevier County Waste Inc. on this matter,” stated Apple. “The thought of putting dogs and cats in my compost that will grow things that I’m going to be eating does not sit well with me,” stated an individual that wished to remain anonymous. Many have echoed the same sentiment. According to Vaughn, the shelter euthanized about 3,300 animals last year. Of those, she says that 1,812 were euthanized due to sickness. It’s unclear whether a digester can eliminate diseased animals in three days time. Phil King, Sevier County Animal Control Officer for the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department has been serving the county for 11 years. “I pick up over 100 animals a month and they all go to the shelter,” stated King. “In the 11 years I’ve been doing this, I bet I’ve picked up between 12,000 to 15,000 animals.” According to King, the shelter did use the incinerator until there were some financial problems which depleted the shelter’s funds. Larry Waters, Sevier County Mayor was informed of the animals in the digester last week. “I was told last week by Tom Leonard about his situation and if there are any adverse consequences, other than the sounds of it, I’m not aware if it,” stated Waters. “The state inspects the facility each week and they take all sorts of tests on the compost and there hasn’t been anything detrimental in the compost to my knowledge.” Waters stated he will be discussing this matter with Leonard, Vaughn and Apple to see where they will go from here. All parties involved in this article felt that the shelter is doing a great job with the resources they have available. It’s just that their funding does not match their expenses. “I wish we could find a home for every animal that comes through our doors,” stated Vaughn.