Carolina adds new baler to recycling plant operations

Carolina Mayor José Aponte Dalmau (Facebook)

By THE STAR STAFF

The Municipality of Carolina has taken a significant step forward in its environmental sustainability efforts with the acquisition of a state-of-the-art baler for its Solid Waste Recycling and Packaging Plant. The new equipment, which replaces the aging baler on the plant’s northern line, is now fully integrated into the Carolina Sanitary Landfill System.

Carolina Mayor José Aponte Dalmau announced the investment of $987,797 in the advanced baler, highlighting its role in modernizing the municipality’s waste management infrastructure.

“We are launching a modern baler that enhances our process of classifying, separating, and compacting household waste generated in Carolina,” Aponte said. “This is part of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and improving how we manage the waste we produce.”

Carolina’s waste management system is unique in Puerto Rico, offering free, door-to-door garbage collection followed by a meticulous process of separation, recycling and disposal. Recyclable materials such as aluminum, cardboard, high-grade paper and newspaper are identified and processed separately. Non-recyclable waste is compacted into dense cubes known as “bales” and disposed of in a specially engineered landfill cell.

The landfill cell is designed with environmental safeguards, including soil protection liners, gas extraction systems, and leachate management. Liquid byproducts from waste decomposition are collected and transported twice daily to a water treatment facility operated by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority. Gaseous byproducts, primarily methane, are captured and safely converted into carbon dioxide and water through a controlled burning process.

“This is what sets us apart,” Aponte emphasized. “We are not a dump. We are a system. Here, all waste is processed before final disposal. We classify, separate, and recycle. What cannot be reused is compacted and disposed of in a cell that meets the highest environmental standards.”

With the new baler, Carolina can now compact up to 2,340 pounds of waste per bale, markedly increasing the system’s efficiency and extending its operational lifespan. The municipality is also the only one in the region using a “bale field” system, which reduces waste volume and maximizes recycling efforts.

“We are proud to be pioneers in the region,” Aponte added. “This technology not only helps us meet federal and local environmental standards but also allows us to provide a more efficient waste collection service to our residents.”