Sep 30 - Daily News; Los Angeles, Calif.

Los Angeles could build a plant to convert household trash into compost, ash, electricity or gas within the next five years, said a study released Wednesday on alternatives to Sunshine Canyon Landfill.

The Bureau of Sanitation report lists 15 national and international companies with the technology to develop trash- conversion plants that could help divert some of the 3,600 tons of refuse hauled daily to the controversial Granada Hills landfill.

City officials plan to take the $400,000 study on an "education tour" beginning in late October, visiting neighborhood councils and community groups to gauge reactions and determine whether residents would support trash-to-energy plants in their backyards.

"We believe there are preconceived misconceptions about these facilities," said Enrique Zaldivar, assistant director of the Bureau of Sanitation. "We want people to show interest in learning about these processes. They truly can provide an alternative to landfilling and provide a source of energy. That's what I find so exciting about these technologies."

The plants use heat, pressure or bacteria to break down trash into usable products such as electricity, gas or compost. Prices vary with each technology and each company, ranging from $19 to $128 per ton of trash.

But residents in the northeast San Fernando Valley wonder what alternative technologies could mean for their community - which already is home to the city's two landfills, a dozen recycling facilities, and much of the heavy-industrial and commercial zoning needed for conversion plants.

"In general, Pacoima and Sun Valley are grossly polluted. We would like to see a better process for the trash," said Edwin Ramirez, president of the Pacoima Neighborhood Council.

"The communities will really have to be educated. What will the process be? Will it keep trash coming into the community?"

The new report comes as the City Council considers canceling its five- year trash-disposal contract with Sunshine Canyon Landfill, and seeks bids from other trash companies to process Los Angeles' waste.

Councilman Greig Smith has launched his own plan, RENEW LA, to wean the city off landfills and develop trash-conversion plants. His chief of staff, Mitchell Englander, believes residents will support landfill alternatives.

"It's a matter of showing them what is working around the country and around the world. Seeing is believing. We are not taking a risk."

Kerry Cavanaugh, (818) 713-3746

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com