Case Studies
Creating positive energy with Audubon Arkansas
When most people think of a landfill, they don’t think of a protected, natural habitat for native plants and wildlife. Most don’t see it as a renewable energy producer, either. Through a partnership with Audubon Arkansas, those two things are exactly what Waste Management’s Two Pine Landfill is becoming.
Starting in Fall 2008, Audubon Arkansas and WM will begin planting a mix of native grasses and wildflowers designed to attract threatened marshland birds and grassland birds. Trails will also be built throughout the property, giving visitors an opportunity to view these birds and other animals in their newly created habitat.
“How cool is this?” said Ken Smith, executive director of Audubon Arkansas. “We are going to take this 500-acre site and use at least 300 acres of it for conservation purposes.”
Elsewhere at the Two Pine facility, Waste Management already operates a renewable energy plant that converts methane gas into energy—enough to power approximately 4,500 homes in North Little Rock. A second energy plant is also planned, pending government approval.
State political officials said the work done at Two Pine is a good step toward making the state more energy efficient. “This state can be a model and can lead the nation in renewable and sustainable forms of energy,” said Gov. Mike Beebe.
