DIAPER ROGRAM RECYCLES 3 TONS.

Byline: Heather MacDonald Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Roughly three tons of dirty disposable diapers have been recycled during the first three weeks of Santa Clarita's pilot program, according to city officials.

More than 200 families in four neighborhoods have been setting out a thoroughly unpleasant hodgepodge of used Luvs, Huggies and Pampers each Tuesday as part of the city's six-month test of the system that critics contend is unproven and too risky for a city as small as Santa Clarita.

``The initial results are extremely encouraging, especially with such a limited pilot program,'' said Jason Smisko, interim environmental services manager. ``A ton a week is certainly nothing to sneeze at.''

Judy Seeley, whose daughter, Hannah, is 3 months old, said separating the used diapers from her family's other trash isn't a big hassle - and makes her feel like she's protecting the environment for the next generation.

``I cringed every time I threw diapers out, wishing there was another way,'' Seeley said as Hannah cried in the background. ``This just makes a lot of sense, and it needs to be expanded citywide as soon as possible.''

Using a state-of-the-art machine in Sun Valley, Knowaste, a private company, is separating the nastier parts of the diaper from its shell, which can be made into shingles and plastic ``wood.'' In addition, the absorbent lining of the diaper can be recycled to make wallpaper and oil filters, company officials said.

``We're very pleased at the way the residents have embraced the program,'' said Knowaste spokeswoman Fiona J. Hutton. ``It's been a great three weeks.''

A city study estimated that Santa Clarita generates nearly 7,000 tons of dirty disposable diapers a year, about 5 percent of the city's residential garbage.

The diaper recycling service is being provided at no additional cost to residents during the pilot program. If the City Council decides the program is successful and expands it citywide, residents likely will pay an extra charge, according to Smisko.

Santa Clarita officials are hopeful that diverting dirty diapers from landfills could make a big difference in the city's efforts to meet a state law that mandates it recycle at least 50 percent of its waste. In 2000, it recycled about 44 percent of its trash.

The pilot program is being paid for with $250,000 from local taxpayers and a matching grant from the state along with funds from Knowaste and Santa Clarita/Blue Barrel Disposal Co., which is hauling the diapers to the processor in the San Fernando Valley.

The project was not endorsed by the city's environmental services staff - and opposed by Councilman Bob Kellar - because of concerns that the cost of the program would skyrocket after the test run and require a subsidy from the government.

Critics contend that the cost of running a diaper-recycling program in Southern California is too high because of the relatively inexpensive dumping fees at area landfills, which average $32 a ton.

Although similar diaper-recycling services failed in three Canadian cities, Knowaste points to the success of an ambitious program in the Netherlands, where dumping fees are much higher, as proof the system can work.

If the Santa Clarita pilot program fails, Knowaste will give the city a $100,000 rebate.