Steven Averett, Content Director, Waste Group

June 1, 2007

1 Min Read
Vulcan's Septic Tank

Officials in Auckland, New Zealand, have approved a $25 million, 30-year plan to deposit hundreds of thousands of tons of biosolids — cleaned, treated and dried human waste — into an extinct volcano on nearby Puketutu Island. The material may be used to rebuild the island's volcanic cone, which has been largely destroyed by quarrying. At the end of 30 years, there are even plans to cap the volcanic dump and turn it into — what else — a public park.

According to vulcanologist Ian Smith, the nature of volcanic activity in the region means the Puketutu Island is unlikely to erupt again. “I think it is pretty safe,” says Smith.

If that prediction proves overly optimistic, Auckland officials say they plan to cut their losses by depositing the giant flaming island of crap on Australia's doorstep and running away.

Source: http://stuff.co.nz

About the Author(s)

Steven Averett

Content Director, Waste Group, Waste360

Steven Averett joined the Waste Age staff in February 2006. Since then he has helped the magazine expand its coverage and garner a range of awards from FOLIO, the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) and the Magazine Association of the Southeast (MAGS). He recently won a Gold Award from ASBPE for humor writing.

Before joining Waste Age, Steven spent three years as the staff writer for Industrial Engineer magazine, where he won a gold GAMMA Award from MAGS for Best Feature. He has written and edited material covering a wide range of topics, including video games, film, manufacturing, and aeronautics.

Steven is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned a BA in English.

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