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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0086.002 2010-2012 w ,Y C W COUNTY OF HAWAII U�4*ti OF 141p DEPT. OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SOLID WASTE DIVISION — RECYCLING SECTION 04 www.hawaiizerowaste.org - - ema 16a Organics Diversion Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) This FAQ has been prepared by the County of Hawai'i Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to clarify the County's plans to expand organics diversion by implementing compost operations in Hilo and Kona. It seeks Council approval of Resolution 34 -11 Authorizing the Payment of Funds of a Later Fiscal Year and of a Multi - fiscal Year Agreement for Furnishing and Implementing Organic Waste Diversion Sites and Compost Operations in West Hawaii and East Hawaii for the Department of Environmental Management. DEM has been operating a very successful organics diversion program for collection and mulching of green waste. To increase diversion and recycle the over 50% of organic waste that is still being disposed of at County landfills, it needs a compost operation. Composting will allow the County to divert more than just green waste, like paper, food and compostable plastic. In 2007, the County Council passed a resolution to adopt Zero Waste goals. In 2009, the County Council passed a resolution for DEM to implement a plan to prohibit food, paper and compostable organics from Hawaii County landfills by 2012. 1. How much will organics diversion cost? A. We will not know until we obtain proposals —estimates are $60 to $70 1ton 2. Why will compost operations cost more than mulching? A. Preliminary estimates are that costs for composting will cost more due to higher the cost of equipment and operations. It will be partially offset by the value of preserving the landfill space. Also according to EPA, composting can help suppress plant diseases and pests, reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and promote higher yields of agricultural crops. What will be the track traffic and weight to Pu`uanahulu landfill? A. County SWD vehicles will be approximately 6 tractor truckloads per week for a total estimated weight of 72 tons or 12 tons per load. Commercial traffic is anticipated to be similar to current Kealakehe operations. Traffic impacts will be included in the future Environmental Assessment. 3. What will be the source points for the organics waste? A. County Transfer Station residential collection, commercial haulers and commercial generators like hotels, restaurants, landscapers etc. 4. What will be the operating hours? A. Same as the landfill. 5. What are the Hawaii names and oral history for the area around the Pu'uanahulu landfill and associated groundwater basin? A. Since the proposed compost site is on the same parcel as the current landfill, a cultural historical evaluation was included in the West Hawaii Landfill Environmental Impact Statement; Reference Appendix B Archaeological Reconnaissance. This was prepared in 1991 by Cultural Surveys Hawaii http: / /Www.culturalsurveys.com / and will be made available upon request. Composting versus landfilling is a more environmentally responsible method of managing waste and, unlike with landfills, no residuals are left on the / site after processing. Comm. No d b • 7. February 15, 2011 Ref. To- Page 1 of 2 Ref. Date B 15 1 i 6. Will there be organics collection at the Kealakehe Transfer Station? A. Yes, the County will continue the current practice of providing areas for green waste collection at no cost to residents. The County will continue to encourage backyard composting through education and outreach as the preferred method for managing organics. 7. What are the performance measures for composting? A. Contractor will be required to meet the performance specifications established by the US Composting Council www. co postingcouncil. org and the Hawai 'i State Department of Health (DOH). 8. Who will obtain the DOH permit and will the permit be in place before composting operations begin? A. County and contractor will be co permittees and contractor will be responsible for preparing the Solid Waste Permit Application as it is specific to their type of operation and equipment. Details of the State DOHpermits are available at http Ilhawaii. gov/health/environmental /waste /sw/swpermit. html Permits will be needed before composting operations can begin. 9. What type of equipment will be used in the composting operation? A. The equipment anticipated for each site includes the following; tub grinder, front -end loader, compost turner and trommel screen. For West Hawaii a watering system will be needed. 10. What will be the DOH requirements to operate the composting operation? A. Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 58, Subchapter 4 — Solid Waste Reclamation Facilities describes the requirements in Section 11- 58.1 -41 Composting facilities. These include but are not limited to: Site analysis, Design requirements, Operations plan, Closure plan and Reporting requirements. 11. How will odors, vectors (e.g. rodents & insects) be controlled? A. This will be specific to the type of proposed compost operations (i.e. windrow or in- vessel composting) It will be included in proposals and the DOHpermit. 12. What will happen if the contractor fails to comply with the conditions of the contract and DOH permit? A. DOH actions can include issuance of notice of violations, potential fines and regulatory action. County actions can include withholding payment and contract termination. 13. How does changing the operation to compost increase diversion? A. The current operation only accepts green waste (yard clippings, etc) and untreated wood. By establishing compost operations, other organic materials like paper, food scraps, etc. can be accepted and diverted from the landfill. 14. Will gypsum be included as a compostable material? A. Proposers will be required to provide a cost and the County will determine if it is cost effective. Gypsum represents less than 1 % of the waste generated. 15. Will fats, oils and greases be included as a compostable material? A. Proposers will be required to provide a cost and the County will determine if it is cost effective. Fats, oils and grease represent less than I % of the waste generated. 16. What tonnage of organic material will be diverted? A. Currently over 50% or 114,000 tons of landfilled material include organics, primarily green waste, food and paper. This represents the total potential diversion which will be contingent on community participation and a future ordinance to ban organics. Operation of the Hilo Sort Station will provide increased opportunities to divert residential mixed waste. February 15, 2011 Page 2 of 2 2/15/2011 County of Hawaii Department Of Environmental Management Organics Diversion Program Organics Diversion Program Presented to the Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance Resolution Overview February 16, 2011 - -- _- This Resolution: JN•('i OF NI Is need d forimplementing Resolution 826 -08to ban orgamcsfrom Me landfills Is consistent with Resolution 356 - to 'embrace 8 adopt the principles of Zero Waste' Will to implementation of composb;y as g recommended in the Rog 'Jy ImpfernebtatariP ansbotn adopted Counclement Plan and Me to Waste ••••RRRR.... Will brinuthe Counttyyclasertocom Iiance with Hawaii Integrated Solid Waste Managemant ACt(HRS 342G2) Dare each County isrepnedto considersolid wastemanagement practices in Nie following order of priority: 1. Source reduction 2. Recycling &bioconversion(including composting) 3. Landfilling &incineration • Will bring the County closer to compliance with State re goals of 50% www.h to abring e 50% arvers�on by 20 8 8 809b diverrsiion by 2013uncil Resolution 28 -03 Organics Diversion Program Organics Diversion Program Legislative History Overview Operations History • 1995 - Hilo greenwaste collection - 150 annual tons diverted • 1994- State HAIR Rules Title 11, Chapter 58.1 Solid Waste Management required 2000 - Kona greenwaste collection started Counties to have plans to ban greenwaste ',s 5,724 total annual tons from landfills • 2005 to present - County contracts with Big • 2003 - Council passed resolution 28 -03 adopting landfill diversion goals Island EKO for greenwaste collection sites In of 50% by 2008 & 80% by 2013 Hilo & Kona,: • 2007 - Council passed Zero Waste resolution 35607 2008 - County completes infrastructure for • 2008 - Council passed resolution 82608 to ban organics from landfills cam d p fi os (grading, operations of West Hawai' Sanitary by 2012 p g and sto ngeaimp > ng, liner • 2009 - Council atloppletl the Integrated Resource and Solid Waste Hilo and Kona recycled - Combined 41,8 greenwaste collection in Management Plan (IRSWMP) Hilo 41,899 total tons • 2010 - Council passed Sustainability Resolution 249-09 • Estimated 29,000 tons of greenwaste still landfilled annually! Organics Diversion Program Organics Diversion Program Over 50 of landfill Materials Annual Landfill Disposal Tons by Commodity County of Hawai i 2008 Total Solid Waste Landfilled (by material type) taarravwa w.arww,n *° t o s�ua�i ., is rom iav�k�+ax xae. wmh�mrewmarnrmirmsiwram .A+bwwar 1 e 2/15/2011 Organics Diversion Program Organics Diversion Program Procurement History Brief Overview of Compost Operations Compared to reenaste processing, processing food & paper r d equires • 2005 - RFP 2036 awarded to Big Island EKO for additional �w esign & operational features to prevent odors an vermin like birds and rodents. A typical operation wou10 consist of 5 years - start w /mulching & progress to composting ReceivingQ area for collection trucks. Preparing /mixing feedstocks in an enclosedbuilding with bioltilters & other features to manage au flow and • 2008 RFP for compost operations issued and __ ' prevent odors canceled ` r ^ f ' 1 • M ° t M /J .• > v ,,,,,�., r / Area for mixing & moving feedstock daily (unlike greenwaste which can be • 2010 - No option years with EKO - contract stored for days at a time extended until 8/30/2011 - approximately $1.8 million annual Either electronic controls and /or more meticulous daily operations for cost monitoring. Marry systems conduct this in enclosed buildings or vessels. • 2010 - New RFP issued to continue mulch operations & canceled in April _rxo� wonu w•�a mom raooucn • Today - to c -o RFP being developed to n - •�^••++• progress to comppost st operations & divert more••` -mom+ organic materials Organics Diversion Program Organics Diversion Program Commonly Used Technologies Commonly Used Technologies • Aerated (turned) W indrow - Or anic waste is formed into rows of Iongg piles called "win rows" and aerat�d bV turning the pileperiodically by either '- .a manual or mechanical means The Ideal pile height, which is between 4 antl In Vessel - & feet, allows for a pile lar ge enough to generate sutflcient heat antl Most expensive to design, construct & maintain temperatures, yet small enoug to allow oxygen to Flow to the operate t windroWscore. Prmilesthe greatest degree of control. t • Process conducted inside Some type of^rrq • Covered Forced Air - Evgineered fabric butltlinas with aluminum frames, sealed container (the vessel) ,. air control, and blofilters to receiving & feedstocnc Dreparation. After Organic materials are fed into a drum, silo pp reparation, material is placed in windrows with fabric membrane covers codcrete -lined trench, or similar equipment - ` 1 �" - `'.e. Gore or Ag -bag) and aeration systems. where the environmental conditions— including temperature, moisture, and ,i aeration —are closely controlled' In- vessel composters vary in size and 6 » capacity. - pr Conversion of or anic material to compost can lake as little h as a few weeks. • Once the compost comes out of the vessel, however it requires more time for the microbial activity to stabilize and the pile to cool. Organics Diversion Program Typical Compost Equipment Organics Diversion Plan - Looking Ahead Tub Grinder - Maintain "free" residential drop -oft of greenwaste at select recycle r - and transfer stations 1 - • Continue backyard composting education and outreach program Seled vendor to establish East Hawaii and West Hawaii Compost 4 Trommel Screen Facilities at each landfill - Front -End Loader Consider implementation of ordinance to ban organics from landfills • County contractor to provide local compost for sale a - - Develop plan for composting of residential or anics (utilize Hilo Sort Station RF, encourage private sector to off�r curbside pickup and Compost Turner `t'•' expanding options at recycle & transfer stations) 7 2/15/2011 Organics Diversion Plan Organics Diversion Program Backyard Composting Program Benefits of Composting Primary benefit - moves County toward Zero Waste goals and increased diversion from landfills which: • County continue to promote backyard composting as the most sustainable method to manage organic waste Extends the life of the landfills • Visit www hawaiizerowaste org for upcoming workshops and Reduces need and cost forfuture landfills or other disposal systems receive a tree Earth Machine omposter • Po the post - closure cost for Hilo Landfill (estimated to be millions) Reduces greenhouse gases (GHG) resulting from methane Utilizes valuable resources by creating compost instead of'wasting' -� ■ resources buried in landfills Mill— Sustainable- creates local source of compost; avoids need to import from off - island The Path to Zero Waste will help us all meet our responsibility to protect the `aina and leave future generations a healthy and prosperous island. or . �dma � Ka www.HawaiiZeroWaste.org 3