HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 AIS-SWC Long Range Planning AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
WORK SESSION DATE: August 15, 2017
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Solid Waste Center Long Range Planning Dialogue
STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Cathy Hall, Solid Waste Manager
Brian Pettet, Public Works Director
ISSUE STATEMENT:
The Solid Waste Center(SWC) has seen a substantial increase in incoming waste since 2010, which
has significantly decreased the remaining life expectancy of the Landfill. The SWC is evaluating
options for managing solid waste and diversion programs over the next 20 years and beyond. Staff
are seeking a dialogue in this initial meeting about long-term waste management options for the
SWC.
BACKGROUND:
In 2012 it was estimated the Landfill had 26 years of life remaining, however, incoming waste to
the SWC has increased by 71% since 2010. Construction and demolition debris (C&D)
accounted for 59% of the waste buried in 2016. This increase of incoming waste has significantly
decreased remaining life of the Landfill. The increase in waste volume has prompted staff to
review long-term waste management options for the County.
A recent aerial survey indicated approximately 1,657,000 cubic yards of airspace is remaining in
the Landfill. Based on 123,185 cubic yards of incoming buried waste in 2016, and an estimated
3% annual increase of incoming waste, the Landfill is projected to close in 2025 without an
expansion(or in 2031 with an expansion).
There are three options to consider for the future of waste disposal. All three options assume the
County will continue with diversion programs such as recycling, composting, and aggregate
recovery after the fill operations have ceased.
• Option 1: Close the landfill once it has reached capacity, requiring waste haulers to haul
directly to other regional landfills. This option includes the proposed 1,000,000 cubic
yard lateral expansion.
• Option 2: Do not expand the landfill and build a 500-800 ton per day transfer station.
The County would be responsible for consolidating and hauling waste to a contracted
regional landfill.
• Option 3: Expand the landfill and build a 500-800 ton per day transfer station once the
landfill has reached capacity. The County would be responsible for consolidating and
hauling waste to a contracted regional landfill.
Waste Transfer Station
A waste transfer station is a facility where waste is unloaded from smaller trucks and trailers,
reloaded into larger semi-truck trailers and transported to a regional landfill for disposal. A
waste transfer station makes solid waste collection more efficient by reducing the number of
trucks, which reduces carbon emissions and wear and tear on roads. Transfer stations are
common when a landfill closes and the next closest disposal option is far enough away to make
hauling in an individual trash truck a less efficient option. The existing regional landfills include
South Canyon in Glenwood Springs, Garfield County in West Rifle, Eagle County in Wolcott,
and Mesa County in Grand Junction.
Staff estimate a 10,000 to 12,000 square foot transfer facility that can accept 500 to 800 tons of
waste per day, will be required at a capital cost of approximately$8 million. A transfer station
would need to be in place at least a year before the landfill reached capacity. As the landfill reaches
the end of life, waste burial will become difficult as the working face will become less accessible to
disposal vehicles. Because of this, SWC staff will be responsible for consolidating waste at the
transfer station and filling the final areas of the Landfill. The overall operational costs will increase
for managing waste.
Summary
In 2018 staff propose developing a long-range solid waste management plan which will include a
detailed transfer station study. The plan will include an updated life expectancy of the landfill,
transfer station infrastructure costs, transportation costs, operational and permitting requirements,
estimated required tipping fees, and greenhouse gas impacts.
LINK TO STRATEGIC PLAN:
Conserve Natural Resources and Environment of the Flourishing Natural and Built Environment
Core Focus Area of the Pitkin County Strategic Plan.
KEY DISCUSSION ITEMS:
What future waste management scenarios does the BOCC prefer?
If the BOCC supports a future waste transfer station, does it support increasing tipping fees in order
to save for this required capital investment?
RECOMMENDED BOCC ACTION:
Direct staff to develop a long-term solid waste financial analysis for the preferred solid waste
management option.