HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0730.012 2000-2002 ~ ~ D
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M.S.W. Recycling & Composting
ReAL EARTH UNITED .STATES ENT., LTD.
wwrv.realearth-compost.com P. O. Box 40297 Memphis, TN 38]74 901-603-3740 Fax 662-562-4] 14
October 2, 2002
RealEarth United States Ent., Ltd. (REUSE) is pleased to answer the following questions for the
Hawaii County Council Committee on Parks and Environmental Management.
TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY:
Aerobic composting based on a proprietary six-day, indoor process. The process begins with
content-specific separation and recycling of all waste received for maximum possible recycling
and landfill diversion.
NAME OF COMPANY:
RealEarth United States, Enterprises (a California Limited Partnership}, commonly called
"REUSE."
YEARS IN BUSINESS:
Mr. Jack Dingman, the founder of REUSE, began researching compost techr~~talogies~`~h the late
1970's. REUSE was formed as a Limited Partnership in 1996. r-' - C
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CONTACT PERSON:
Steve Powell, a Limited Partner assigned to Hawaii.
MAILING ADDRESS: c,~a
P.O. Box 40297
Memphis, "I'N 38174
PHONE:
OFFICE: (662) 562-4114
FAX: (662) 562-5890
MOBILE: (901} 603-3740
E-MAIL:
rstevenpowell@ earthlink.net
WEBSITE: (jo~.m. Nos
www.realearth-compost.com ale N®•
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WHAT WASTE STREAM COMPONENTS WILL YOU PROCESS?
100% of alt mixed Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), and certain quantities of sewage sludge or
other waste water. Our commitment to accept mixed MSW in Hawaii County is based on our
proven ability to accept, separate and process all glass, metal, plastic, green waste, paper fiber, etc.
normally found in household garbage.
WHAT COMPONENTS OF THE WASTE STREAM WILL YOU NOT PROCESS?
REUSE does not process hazardous materials. Ordznary mixed MSW should not contain
hazardous materials, but, based on our experience, REUSE will assume that certain materials
(defined as "hazardous") will occasionally be found during the separation and recycling process
which all MSW deliveries will undergo. Therefore, procedures for proper disposal of such
material, in accordance with all pertinent Laws and Regulations, will be developed.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE WASTE STREAM WILL YOU DIVERT FROM LANDFILLING?
At least 90% of Hawaii County MSW. Our experience is 100% diversion from sanitary landfills
during the time of operation of our facility in Madisonville, Kentucky.
WHAT IS THE COMPOSITION OF ANY RESIDUE?
Mixed inorganic waste, such as non-ferrous metal and unclassifiable rubber and plastic. No more
than 10% of the waste stream (probably no more than 3% by weight) will remain of the original
waste stream.
This material will have several possible uses in Hawaii County. Because it will have been
subjected to sustained thermophillic temperatures (well in excess of 145 degrees Fahrenheit)
during processing of the organic portion of the waste stream it will, therefore, not be a risk for
causing disease or pollution. Such processed inorganic material will not require disposal at a
sanitary landfill.
IS THE TECHNOLGY SCALEABLE?
The original REUSE facility was designed for 150 tons per day (TPD) input of MSW. The current
design for a REUSE facility is based on 250 TPD input, with expansion capability to 500 TPD.
This design can be downsized, if necessary, to meet the specific needs of Hawaii County.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM TONNAGE YOU CAN PROCESS DAILY?
50 tons per day input of mixed MSW.
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM TONNAGE YOU CAN PROCESS DAILY?
500 tons per day input of mixed MSW at a single facility.
CAPITAL COSTS:
Capital cost is estimated to be 25 million dollars to build a 250 TPD facility, exclusive of the cost
of land.
ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS:
Annual operating costs will be determined primarily by the amount of waste received. 50,000 tons
of MSW processed per year at $80 per ton would result in an approximate annual operating cost of
$4,000,000.
COST PER TON:
Processing cost per ton (the "tipping fee"} will be approximately $80. REUSE is willing to discuss
all possible ways to reduce this estimate. REUSE is wishes to "lock in" the tipping fee on a long-
term (twenty to thirty years) basis.
FINANCING POSSIBILTIES:
REUSE believes it has private financing available for the total cost of construction of a 250 TPD
facility in Hawai' i County. However, any government assistance (such as grants which would
reduce the amount of construction capital needed from private sources or reduced-interest
financing which would lower the cost of capital) would directly lower the tipping fee.
ACREAGE NEEDED:
Depending on the design capacity of the facility and specific topography, a minimum of 20 acres
will be required.
POWER GENERATED:
None.
OTHER END PRODUCTS:
The RealEarth Composting Process produces "RealEarth Compost." REUSE has a proven ability
to produce atop-quality, organic compost which can be beneficial to agriculture and horticulture.
Government and academic studies have shown that RealEarth Compost is highly beneficial in land
reclamation and erosion control applications. Other government and academic studies have shown
compost to be effective in numerous bioremediation projects.
Unclassifiable end products (inorganic mixed material that might remain after recycling and
composting) can be used as the basis for building, materials, incinerator feedstock, clean fill and
other such uses. The amount of this material is estimated to be no more than 3% of the weight of
the total incoming waste.
RISKS:
None
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
REUSE can convert materials which most people call "waste," (materials which also have
potentially disastrous environmental impact) into an unquestionably beneficial material, RealEarth
Compost. REUSE produces compost with no production of harmful by-products.
The facility itself produces no smoke, noise, dust or objectionable odors; it does not attract vermin,
birds, or vector. The facility doesn't even produce waste water (it can recycle its own waste water
in addition to disposing of sewage sludge and other liquid waste.
SOCIAL IMPACTS:
A REUSE composting facility brings a new, clean industry to a community. Job descriptions start
with unskilled/entry level and also include trade, technical and management.
Operation of the facility is only the beginning for job creation and improvement of the
environment through proper disposal of MSW. A second industry will be created based on use of
the compost. Marketing and sales of the compost will require additional employees, and the use of
the compost will provide additional social, economic and environmental benefits.
Facilities for tours and educational programs to explain composting and the consequences of
proper, versus improper, disposal of MSW will be an integral part of the facility design. Increased
environmental awareness related to source separation, reduction and reuse, leading to the message
of the benefits of proper waste disposal will be a primary goal of the community interaction
programs at the facility.
Finally, it is the desire of REUSE to establish the facility as the centerpiece of aworld-renown
research center. A "National Compost Research Center" would attract academicians,
environmentalists and government representatives from throughout the world. Such a research
center would advance and promote the science and methodology of waste disposal. It would
research and develop new uses for compost and greatly increase the environmental and economic
status of Hawaii County.
TIMELINE FROM ACCEPTANCE TO FULL OPERATION:
18 months.
Thank-you for reviewing these responses. I hope they will serve as a base of understanding for my
presentation scheduled for October 16 at 9:OOAM. I am looking forward to the opportunity to describe
the REUSE Composting Process in more detail, to explain to the Committee why REUSE offers the
best long-term solution to the problem of disposal of MSW and to answer any additional questions
Sincerely Yours,
j%%; l~
Steve Powell,
Limited Partner