The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio has been Keeping 'Buzzy’

In April, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) buzzed with excitement with the arrival of some new friends. Earth Month marked the official start of SWACO’s new beehive initiative.

SWACO welcomed roughly 12,000 honeybees (worker bees and two queen bees) to live between the two hives at the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill in designated pollinator gardens. This initiative is a good example of how landfill operators can be environmental stewards and provide the public with enriching educational opportunities.

Currently, SWACO has almost two acres of pollinator gardens on its property with plans to expand in the coming years. The bees will work to help enhance pollination within the gardens and surrounding land to increase biodiversity. The SWACO bees have already done a beautiful job of pollinating nearby plants. Within the upcoming months, SWACO is looking forward to seeing more vibrant flowers and hoping to see outdoor spaces transformed.

Not only are these bees doing the hard work of pollination and producing honey, but they are also providing a fun educational opportunity for landfill visitors too.

Annually, SWACO hosts approximately 4,500 people on free landfill tours. SWACO’s landfill tours are customizable depending on age, fields of interest, and more. SWACO’s tours now incorporate a component that speaks to the benefits of beekeeping, environmental conservation, and emphasis on the importance of sustainable practices.

One of the first groups of people to learn about SWACO’s pollinator gardens and beehive initiative were second graders from nearby South-Western City School District’s, Harmon Elementary. During a recent tour of the landfill, including an in-vehicle stop near the hives, the second graders were invited to help name the hives two queen bees. Ater a morning of creative debate, the students officially named the SWACO leading ladies Beetrix and Cardi Bee.

The SWACO team is very proud to be considered a resource and to serve the community. The team is delighted to work alongside their buzzing friends and is excited to announce that over the next year, SWACO has plans to add at least two additional hives to the surrounding Franklin County Sanitary Landfill pollinator gardens.

To stay connected with SWACO and up to date with Beetrix and Cardi Bee and their hives, follow SWACO on social media and if you find yourself nearby, please consider taking a landfill tour!