Company hopes plan will eliminate odor

ATTICA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A recycling company is hoping new measures will ease the stench offending residents in Attica.

The putrid odor blows through the town and has driven villagers to call in the State DEC and organize a meeting to take action. In the midst of this summer's heat wave, sleeping at night is almost impossible.

Attica Village Board member John Perry said, "On a scale of 1-to-10, I would say, on an average day, it is right around a 6 or a 7. At night, it is a 15."

The odor is emanating from Hillcrest Industries, specifically from a 60-foot pile of broken glass weighing about 60,000 tons. The glass comes from food containers, such as fruit jars and soda bottles. As all that rotten food decomposes, it gives off a terrific smell.

Jacquie Hiczewski said, "I'm very upset. When it comes to my son, it just really makes me sick, with what he could grown up and end up having."

Hillcrest has tried to resolve the odor problem and their latest attempt now involves piping nitrogen into the pile to replace the oxygen, and neutralize the composting. It's all about bacteria in the rotting food and the company is looking to get the DEC's approval.

Environmental consultant Peter Tarnawskyj said, "We have hired an outside contractor to do that, and we are hopeful that the nitrogen is going to displace oxygen in the pile, and basically control the odor at the source."

Hillcrest executives met with DEC officials Wednesday morning to pitch the nitrogen injection plan and work on resolving a number of violations DEC inspectors have issued against the company.

They are looking for an answer to the nitrogen question by Thursday or Friday.