HomeMy WebLinkAboutSolid Waste Management Plan DGEIS Summary 1990 TOWN OF SOUTHOLD
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN
DRAFT GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
STATEMENT
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SUMMARY
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September 1980
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Dvirka and BarMucci
Consulting Engineers i
8yonet,New York '
S.0 SUMMARY
This is a Summary of the proposed Solid Waste Management Plan for the Town of
Southold. The proposed Plan has been developed as part of a comprehensive planning
effort for solid waste that has been necessitated by factors including strict landfilling
limitations imposed by the Long Island Landfill Law, the State's 1988 Solid Waste
Management Act, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's 1987
Solid Waste Management Plan (as updated), and the new Part 360 solid waste regulations
which became effective on December 31, 1988. The proposed Plan has also been
prompted by increases in solid waste generation and landfill operating costs, as well as the
reduction in available disposal capacity at facilities elsewhere.
S.1 Town Setting
The Town of Southold is a rural town of approximately 54 square miles located in
eastern Suffolk County on Long Island. It is bordered by the Peconic Bays and Gardiners
Bay to the south, and the Long Island Sound to the north. The Town, along with the Town
` of Riverhead to the west, comprises the North Fork of the "East End" of Long Island. It
also includes the Hamlet of Fishers Island, a small island community covering
approximately four square miles. Fishers Island is located only approximately two miles
from Connecticut, and approximately 12 miles east of the North Fork of Long Island.
The Town supports a large agricultural community, as well as a seasonal tourist
population and a number of weekend/part-time residents. Of the various communities in
the Town, the larger residential areas are primarily located in Southold, Cutchogue,
Greenport, and Mattituck. The Town possesses diverse ecological resources including
beaches, bays, estuaries, lakes, freshwater and tidal wetlands, and the upland
environment. These resources are the result of natural physiology and existing
development patterns, and are important for their preservational, social, aesthetic, and
recreational value.
The Town comprises 5.3% of Suffolk County's land area, but only 1.5% of the
County's population. The largest single land use in the Town is vacant land (40%), while
the second largest land use is agricultural land (25%). Other land use such as residential,
commercial, and industrial account for much of the remaining land.
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The latest available population projections indicate that the Town's population is
expected So increase to 26,100 by the year 2010. The average household size in the Town
has decreased from 2.54 to 2.49 persons per household from 1980 to 1988, while there has
been an increase in the number of year-round households in the Town from 7,461 to 8,673
over the same period. The following presents a comparison of the Town's size, population,
population density, and median income to the rest of Long Island and the East End.
Total Estimated Population Med. Family
Area Population Density Income
(Acres) (1989)_ (Persons/Acre) 1987 Est.
Nassau-Suffolk 745,836 2,718,193 3.64 $41,987
Nassau County 179,516 1,328,948 7.40 $45,512
Suffolk County 566,320 1,389,245 2.45 $38,712
5 East End Towns 212,772 114,569 0.54 $31,760
Town of Southold 34,600 21,698 0.63 $35,260
S.2 Current Solid Waste Management
The Town owns and operates a solid waste complex on C.R. 48 in Cutchogue that
receives most of the municipal solid waste generated and disposed of in the Town. This
includes waste from residential, commercial, institutional, agricultural, and some very
small industrial sources. The solid waste complex consists of a landfill, a multimaterial
recycling area, a permanent household hazardous waste storage facility, a yard waste
composting operation, and a holding area for household appliances and tires awaiting
transfer to processing facilities.
The Town's voluntary recycling program has been in effect at the solid waste
complex for several years and has been steadily increasing in scope. The materials
included in the recycling effort are:
o Newspaper o Plastics o Major household appliances
o Clear glass o Metals o Household hazardous
o Green glass o Waste oil waste
o Brown glass o Old clothes o Leaves
o Tires o Batteries o Brush
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Collection by Town permitted carters is provided for residential, commercial,
institutional, and industrial customers on an individual contract basis. Commercial,
institutional, and industrial waste generators can also deliver their own wastes to the
landfill provided they are permitted by the Town. Residents may also drop off their
wastes at the landfill with a permit.
In addition to the Town solid waste complex in Cutchogue, there are 5 solid waste
processing/disposal operations on Fishers Island for the waste generated by the estimated
309 permanent year-round residents, and approximately 4,000 seasonal residents/visitors
who populate the island during the peak summer period. The processing/disposal
operations, all located on the extreme western portion of Fishers Island, are the brush
area, metals area, cars/tires area, household waste landfill, and the recycling drop-off
area.
It is estimated that approximately 127 tons per day of municipal solid waste was
generated in the Town in 1989. This volume is based on an average of 123 tons per day
determined from 1989 scale house data from the solid waste complex, and an estimated
average 4 tons per day generation rate for Fishers Island. Future waste stream
projections (including Fishers Island) were formulated based on the 1989 data and
weighted population estimates through the year 2015, and are as follows:
Year Tons Mr day Tons per year
1990 131.8 48,118
1995 141.8 51,758
2000 150.4 54,896
2005 161.4 58,917
2010 173.0 63,153
2015 185.3 67,617
An assessment of the major categories of the waste stream received at the solid
waste complex has been conducted as part of the planning effort, and is presented below
by percent of weight for the major component categories of the waste stream.
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Waste Category % Bir Weight
Household garbage 33
Construction and demolition debris 15
Sand/sod 14
Land clearing debris and 15
concrete/asphalt/bricks
Rubbish 9
Brush/cleanup debris 7
Leaves/grass/mulch 3
Agricultural debris 1
Recycled paper and metal 3
Other (includes sludge, tires, <1
shellfish debris, and batteries)
TOTAL 100%
In addition, a detailed compositional analysis of the material components was
performed based on the total waste stream. This breakdown is as follows:
Waste Composition % by Weight
Paper 14.9
Plastics 3.1
Food 6.5
Ferrous Metals 9.2
Nonferrous Metals 0.6
Batteries 0.1
Glass 2.6
Wood 13.0
Rubble 10.3
Rubber 1.1
Dirt and Fines 18.5
Yard Waste 14.5
Sludge 0.7
Bulky Waste 2.6
Misc. 2.4
TOTAL 100%*
*Totals may not add to exactly 100% due to rounding.
S.3 Alternatives
In formulating the Town's proposed Plan, a number of alternative processing
methods and implementation alternatives have been evaluated. The alternatives have
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been evaluated for their environmental soundness, applicability, effectiveness, and cost.
They include:
o Waste Reduction o Land Clearing Debris Recycling
o Household Hazardous Waste o Waste-to-Energy Reduction/Recovery
Removal o Municipal Solid Waste Composting
o Materials Recycling o Landfill Disposal
o Agricultural and Yard Waste o Clean Fill Disposal
Composting o Methods of Processing/Disposal of
o Construction and Demolition Other Wastes
Debris (C&D) Recycling
Although the State has set a goal of 50% reduction, reuse, and recycling as a
benchmark for resource recovery systems, it has been concluded, given the characteristics
of its waste stream, that the Town could target a reduction/reuse/recycling (including
composting) goal as high as 70% to 75%. The alternatives evaluated for long-term
processing or disposal (1996 to 2015) of the 25% to 30% residual portion of the waste
stream are:
o Existing landfill arrangements
o Use of a new, double-lined 15-acre Town landfill adjacent to existing landfill
(to be implemented in three 5-acre stages)
o Processing at the Brookhaven composting-energy recovery facility (if
implemented)
o Processing at Huntington energy recovery facility (if 4th Unit is implemented)
o Processing at Babylon energy recovery facility (if 3rd Unit is implemented)
o Processing at an in-Town mixed solid waste (MSW) composting facility
o Yard waste exchange arrangement with a town having an energy recovery
facility
o Private sector processing/disposal (including possible use of Hempstead's
existing energy recovery facility and recently proposed private sector facilities)
o Off island long haul to another facility
In order to allow adequate time for achieving the goals of the proposed resource
recovery system, the planning effort also included an evaluation of
legislative/regulatory/legal issues that should be addressed to ensure that, with regard to
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landfilling, the Long Island Landfill Law reflects: 1) the 208 Plan recommendations for
landfilling in rural areas; 2) the NYSDEC 1986 Long Island Groundwater Management
Program allowances for landfilling in rural areas; 3) the SCDHS' position regarding
landfilling in Suffolk County; and 4) the definitions of "resource recovery" correctly be
interpreted or defined to allow landfilling without energy recovery or mixed solid waste
composting facilities for the waste remaining, providing the resource recovery system
exceeds the State's 50% goal and includes intensive reduction/recycling/reuse programs.
Additionally, the regulatory analysis also indicated that the Long Island Landfill Law's
strict December 1990 deadline could be made more realistic through a 3-year extension.
The evaluation conducted as part of the planning effort has concluded that the lined
landfilling of a limited portion of the waste stream in rural Long Island areas is provided
for in a number of previous technical studies, including those conducted by and certified
to the USEPA by NYSDEC as recently as 1986.
S.4 Description of Proposed Plan
Based upon the analysis of alternatives, the proposed Plan for the Town is expected
to result in the effective management of the Town's solid waste in an environmentally
sound, cost-effective manner that reflects the social and economic characteristics of the
Town, particularly with regards to its rural nature as a farming community with a
relatively small population. The proposed Plan involves a "resource recovery system" that
could effectively dispose 70% to 75% of the total waste stream through elements of
reduction, reuse, recycling, household hazardous waste removal, and yard waste
composting. The proposed Plan also includes specific recommendations for the disposal of
the 25% to 30% residual waste after implementation of the proposed resource recovery
system. Table S-1 at the end of this Summary presents the elements of the proposed Plan.
5.4.1 Proposed Resource Recovery System
The proposed Plan contains a number of elements comprising a resource recovery
system that could reduce/recycle/reuse up to 70% to 75% of the total waste stream over
the life of the Plan (through the year 2015). The proposed resource recovery system
includes waste reduction, intensive household and commercial/institutional recycling,
major household appliances recycling, tire recycling, household hazardous waste recovery,
land clearing and construction and demolition debris recycling, and composting of yard
waste, sludge, and low-grade paper. The specific materials addressed in the Plan's
resource recovery system include:
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o Newspaper o Ferrous Metals
o Magazines o Nonferrous Metals
o Corrugated/Brown Bags o Three Colors of Glass
o Other Paperboard o Wood and Lumber
o Office Paper o Asphalt
o Low-Grade (Other) Paper o Concrete/Brick
o PET, HDPE o Tires
and Other Plastics o Dirt
o Yard Wastes o Textiles
o Sludge o Household Hazardous Wastes
o Sand/Sod o Batteries (Vehicle and Household)
The following sections describe the components of the Town's resource recovery
system.
Waste Reduction
Waste reduction refers to the reduction of solid waste prior to disposal. This is an
important consideration since it may affect the sizing or magnitude of individual
operations and facilities described in the Plan. Reduction of the volume of waste could be
achieved through Town support of legislation and other initiatives that aim to encourage
residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional establishments to reduce waste
generation at the source or point of packaging. This would effectively reduce the volume
of waste that the Town would need to make provisions for with regard to collection,
processing, disposal, administration, and financing.
Regarding the legislative aspects of waste reduction, the Town would support laws
proposed by the County, State, and Federal governments that strive to:
o Reduce the volume and type of packaging materials, especially those
constituted of plastics, which are essentially nonbiodegradable, nonreusable,
and nonrecyclable
o Expand the current beverage container deposit law to include a wider array of
containers
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o Encourage greater use of recycled materials, or products packaged in recycled
or recyclable materials
o Promote the development of household hazardous waste removal programs
o Assist and encourage industrial, commercial, and institutional generators to
undertake reduction and recycling programs
o Assist and encourage homeowners to undertake backyard composting
The Town would also support legislative efforts to establish deposits on batteries as
a means of reducing the concentration of metals in various products and residues of solid
waste processing. Batteries constitute an easily removable source of potential
contamination from the waste stream.
In addition to legislative actions, all sectors of the Town (public, commercial,
industrial, and institutional establishments) would be encouraged by the Town to reduce
the generation of waste which would ultimately become the responsibility of the Town to
handle and dispose. This can be accomplished through local and regional public education
programs coordinated by the State. For example, homeowners and landscapers should be
encouraged to reuse grass clippings, leaves, and chipped brush as compost and mulch
on-site rather than bagging and disposing these materials at a solid waste management
facility.
The NYSDEC estimates that implementation of statewide and local waste reduction
efforts, along with continued and expanded voluntary programs and other legislative
actions, could reduce solid waste generation by approximately 8% to 10%. This estimate
is contained in the State's 1987 Solid Waste Management Plan (and updates) as a statewide
goal and is incorporated as one of the goals of the Town's proposed Plan. It is estimated
that over the long-term approximately 10% of the Town's waste stream would be reduced
by this element of the proposed Plan.
Household and Commercial/Institutional Recycling Program
A major component of the proposed Plan is a comprehensive recycling program
which would provide for the recovery and utilization of reusable "waste" resources. The
Plan proposes a mandatory source separation program for recyclable materials generated
in the residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors of the Town.
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Recyclable materials should be source separated and collected, or privately dropped
off, in a segregated manner. In the short-term, the segregation of the various recyclables
is an interim step that is part of the current voluntary curbside recycling program that
has been initiated in the Town. Over the long-term, recyclables should be source
separated from the rest of the waste stream, but not necessarily segregated. Collection
and transfer of recyclables has proven to be more cost-effective when commingled. The
Brookhaven Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) is the recommended facility that would
process the Town's collected recyclables. This facility is expected to have the ability to
process either segregated or commingled deliveries of materials. It has been
demonstrated that mandatory recycling programs are more effective than voluntary
programs. The comprehensive recycling analysis for the Town presents a detailed analysis
and discussion of the proposed recycling activities and is presented in Appendix F.
The materials initially targeted for source separation, curbside collection, and
marketing include paper (newspaper and corrugated cardboard), color segregated glass,
plastics (PET and HDPE), and ferrous and nonferrous metal containers. Leaves, grass
clippings, and brush should also be source separated for the purpose of composting. In
addition, separation should be required for land clearing debris, construction and
demolition debris, white goods (major household appliances), tires, and household
hazardous waste. As previously discussed, commercial/industrial toxic or hazardous waste
is currently regulated for proper handling and disposal by Federal and State law. These
materials should not be handled by the Town and would be recycled or processed at
private sector facilities.
The Plan proposes to send collected recyclables to the Brookhaven MRF, which is
nearing completion. The Town of Brookhaven has indicated that its MRF will have the
capacity to accommodate recyclable materials from Southold. The Brookhaven facility is
expected to be operational in 1991. If an East End regional MRF (public or private) is
developed in the long-term, Southold would compare the costs and contracted terms of
using the Brookhaven MRF to those of the regional facility. If an East End facility is not
built, recyclable materials would continue to be sent to the Brookhaven MRF.
The Town proposes to have its mandatory source separation and recycling program
in place by late 1990 to coincide with the arrangements to use the Brookhaven MRF. It is
recommended that the ultimate recycling program be implemented in two stages. During
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the first stage, or interim phase (late 1990 through late 1991), Southold would enact a
Townwide mandatory recycling ordinance to become effective in early 1991, and
negotiate draft agreement terms with Brookhaven for use of the Brookhaven MRF. In
addition, Southold would continue to operate a recycling transfer area within the Town to
process its collected recyclables and utilize available markets while the Brookhaven MRF
is permitted and constructed. The existing recycling area on Fishers Island would be
expanded to accept more categories of materials. Recyclables would be transported off
Fishers Island to be processed with the rest of the Town's recyclables at the Brookhaven
MRF.
In the second stage, or long-term phase (beginning in early 1992), the Town would
construct a recycling transfer system (if necessary) to transport recyclables that are
acceptable to the Brookhaven MRF. This can be accomplished through three possible
alternatives: 1) private sector total transfer services (including equipment and needed
structures), 2) Town sponsored permitting system and required structures with private
sector operation, or 3) total Town sponsored permitting system and operation.
Future long-term recycling projections for the Town, including Fishers Island,
indicate that approximately 23%, or 33 tons per day, of the total waste stream could be
recovered through this Plan element by 1995 (not including C&D, land clearing debris,
white goods, tires, and household hazardous waste). The 1990 preliminary cost estimates
of this Plan element indicate that recycling costs could range from $25 to $50 per ton ($5
million to $13 million over the 20 year planning period), depending on transportation costs
and the fee negotiated with the Town of Brookhaven.
.Recycling: Major Household Appliances
Another aspect of the Plan's resource recovery system recommends that discarded
major household appliances (also referred to as "white goods") continue to be temporarily
stockpiled and transferred on a regular basis to private recycling facilities. White goods,
comprising approximately 1% of the waste stream, include discarded refrigerators,
washing machines, dryers, stoves, etc. The 1990 preliminary cost estimates indicate that
this Plan element could cost up to $10 per ton. Depending on markets, revenues could be
generated from this material.
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Recycling: Tires
The proposed Plan also includes discarded tire recycling. It is recommended that a
designated portion of the existing landfill site be used to temporarily stockpile tires for
shipment to appropriate reprocessing or recycling facilities. A similar area should be
maintained on Fishers Island. The temporary stockpile operations should be sized to
stockpile up to 1,000 tires at any given time. Using an assumed, generally accepted
generation rate of one tire per person per year for the Town's population of 21,798,
approximately 22,000 tires per year could require disposal. Alternatively, using an
estimated factor for tires in the residential waste stream of 0.64 tons per day (based on
1990 scale house data), with an assumed weight of 25 pounds per tire, an average of
approximately 19,000 tires per year would require proper disposal. Based on these
estimates, it may be necessary to size a tire stockpile and transfer operation to handle
between 19,000 and 22,000 tires per year. This would correspond to an average annual
transfer arrangement of approximately 20 shipments per year (1,000 tires per shipment),
or approximately one shipment every 2 and 1/2 weeks, with allowances for more frequent
shipments during certain peak periods.
As discussed in Section 3, there are private processing markets currently available
that would accept the tires for recycling. The approximate cost of this Plan element is
estimated to range from $40 to $65 per ton, depending on the contractual arrangements
with the selected tire processor. Approximately 1% of the total waste stream is covered
by this Plan element.
Recycling: Household Hazardous Waste
Successful and effective household hazardous waste removal programs, known by the
acronym S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants), have been shown to be environmentally
sound elements of solid waste management systems. A S.T.O.P. program allows for
convenient and safe disposal of hazardous chemical wastes found in homes. Although
household hazardous wastes typically comprise less than 1% of a municipality's total
waste stream, the removal of these materials from the waste stream is important and
recommended as part of the Town's solid waste Plan. It is recommended that these
wastes be removed to prevent them from entering, and potentially impacting, the
environment. Removal of these wastes also reduces the risks and hazards associated with
processing or disposing these wastes at solid waste management facilities.
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Continued operation of the Town's permanent S.T.O.P.. program will provide
residents with a continuous, environmentally safe disposal alternative for unwanted
chemical products originating in the home. The daily operation provided by this
permanent, full-time facility make participation in the S.T.O.P. program more convenient
than periodically scheduled S.T.O.P. days. The permanent facility, centrally located in
the Town, provides residents with a convenient drop-off site for these materials. For an
area the size of Fishers Island, the development of a full-time S.T.O.P. program and
permanent facility would be both impractical and unnecessary. Consequently, it is
recommended that a minimum of two collection "events" per year be held on Fishers
Island to remove this material from the waste stream. The S.T.O.P. program will allow
for the collection of such household hazardous wastes as:
o Adhesives o Paint Removers
o Alcohol o Paint Thinners
o Antifreeze o Pesticides
o Brake Fluid o Petroleum Based Solvents
o Charcoal Lighter Fluid o Photographic Chemicals and Supplies
o Cleaning Solvents o Plant and Insect Spray
o Degreasers o Pool Chemicals
o Fertilizers o Solvents
o Gasoline o Spot Removers
o Herbicides o Stain and Varnishes
o Kerosene o Wood Preservatives
o Paints o Unknown/Unlabeled Containers
The resource recovery system proposed in the Town's Plan recommends that the
Town work with the East End Recycling Association toward implementing an extensive
public awareness, participation, and education program designed to provide information on
the importance of properly disposing hazardous materials and the procedures to be
followed.
The Town's S.T.O.P. program is consistent with the New York State Solid Waste
Management Plan guidelines since it can effectively help reduce the quantity of hazardous
wastes entering the waste stream. Additionally, the S.T.O.P. program is expected to
increase environmental consciousness and encourage residents to segregate and recycle
wastes rather than discard them. It is estimated that approximately 1% of the waste
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stream will be covered by this Plan element. The Town currently pays $200 to $540 per
55-gallon drum for disposal of this waste, depending on whether or not the drum contains
pesticides or aerosol products.
Recycling: Construction and Demolition Debris
The development, planning, permitting, and capital cost of a construction and
demolition debris processing facility is expected to be more cost-effective if it is handled
by the private sector rather than the Town. Consequently, it is recommended in the
proposed Plan that this waste no longer be accepted at Town disposal facilities. The
recycling/processing of this waste should become the responsibility of the private sector,
as is the case in most Towns on Long Island. This would help to maximize the efficiency
of recycling this material. Concrete, rocks, bricks, asphalt, lumber, and pallets are
among the components of C&D debris that can be processed and recycled. Current 1990
cost estimates of private sector processing/recycling of this component of the waste
stream are in the range of $55 to $115 per ton. It is estimated that approximately 15% of
the waste stream is comprised of commercially generated construction and demolition
debris that could be recovered by this Plan element.
It is recommended that residentially (homeowner) generated clean material remain
the responsibility of the Town for a three to five year period. To this end, a two acre (or
less) clean fill is recommended as an interim measure to "reclaim" a borrow area
(depression) at the existing landfill where sand mining has taken place. Small volumes of
clean materials from residential sources could be disposed of in a portion of the borrow
area. Over the long-term, private recycling and disposal options would be utilized by the
generators of this waste. Transfer services to private sector facilities could be provided
by the Town for residentially generated materials after the borrow area has been
reclaimed by the clean fill.
There are several concrete pits on the western portion of Fishers Island that could
be used for disposal of the small quantity of C&D debris generated on the island. This
land could be reclaimed for future use through the burial of clean fill in accordance with
Part 360-8.6(c). Once these areas are brought to grade, the processing of this material
would be handled by the private sector. In addition, contractors on Fishers Island would
be encouraged to dispose of this material on-site in accordance with Part 360-8.6(b).
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Recycling: Land Clearing Debris
Similar to construction and demolition debris, it is recommended as part of the
proposed Plan that the Town no longer accept land clearing debris at Town facilities. This
material would become the responsibility of the private sector with generators responsible
for identifying and utilizing appropriate recycling/processing/ disposal facilities. It is
estimated that 15% of the Town's waste stream is comprised of commercially generated
land clearing debris that could be recovered under this portion of the proposed Plan. The
1990 estimated cost for private sector processing/recycling of this component of the
waste stream is in the range of $55 to $115 per ton. It is recommended that Fishers Island
dispose of this material in a less than two acre clean fill. In addition, new developments
on Fishers Island should be encouraged to use land clearing debris generated on-site for
grade adjustment in accordance with Part 360-8.6(b).
Recycling: Yard Waste Com sting
According to the New York State Solid Waste Management Plan guidelines and the
New York State Solid Waste Management Act, composting is one of a variety of methods
to reduce the waste stream and promote recycling of resources. Accordingly, the Town
recommends that the existing yard waste composting operation become part of the
long-term Plan, and that it be expanded to accommodate all of the Town's leaves and
brush. Additionally, it is recommended that an evaluation be made of a possible expansion
to create a regional or subregional operation. It is also recommended that there be a
limited demonstration sludge and low-grade paper cocomposting pilot effort to determine
the long-term feasibility of composting these materials. The sewage sludge and
low-grade paper cocomposting operation would evaluate the effectiveness of sludge as a
nitrogen source to facilitate the decomposition of grass clippings and chipped brush, and
would also test the marketability of this type of compost product. If this demonstration
project results in a marketable end product, this process should be incorporated into the
long-term Plan for the Town. The successful cocomposting and marketing of yard waste
with sewage sludge and low-grade paper could provide a cost-effective method of
converting solid waste into a reusable end product, and possibly reduce the use of
produced or synthetic fertilizers in the Town. Backyard and on-site composting of yard
waste by homeowners and landscapers is also recommended under this element as a
method of minimizing the required size of the Town's yard waste composting operation.
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Portions of the existing landfill site should be evaluated for use as additional yard
waste composting capacity. An expansion of the yard waste composting operations could
enable the Town to make its composting operations available to western Towns, or be part
of a subregional yard waste composting effort with one or more East End Towns. It is
recommended that the Town participate in an intermunicipal agreement for sending its
recyclables and/or mixed waste to another Town for processing, while accepting a similar
or agreed upon tonnage of yard waste for composting in return. It is recommended that
on Fishers Island there be a small scale (less than 3,000 cubic yards) composting operation
for yard waste. This is the preferred alternative when compared to sending this material
to the existing operation at the Town's solid waste complex in Cutchogue.
Consistent with the goals of the proposed Plan, landscapers should be encouraged by
the Town to maintain their own compost piles, or perform this service on-site for their
customers. Larger landscaping or land clearing operations should chip brush for ground
cover and other uses. It is further recommended that the Town implement a public
education program to increase the local demand for end products from both backyard and
Town compost operations. Preliminary 1990 cost projections of this Plan element depend
on whether the facility is sized to accommodate out-of-Town yard waste. Current
estimates range between $20 and $30 per*ton. Approximately 10% of the Town's total
waste stream could be recovered as part of this Plan element.
S.4.2 Pyr .posed Residual Waste Management
The recommended resource recovery system portion of the Plan discussed above is
expected to effectively reduce/recycle/reuse (including composting) approximately 70%
to 75% of the Town's total waste stream, provided that relatively high participation rates
are achieved and markets are available. What follows is a discussion of the recommended
actions for the processing and/or disposal of the 25% to 30% residual waste remaining
after implementation of the proposed resource recovery system.
Based upon the analysis conducted as part of the solid waste planning effort, a
staged plan for the 25% to 30% residual waste is recommended. The residual waste
portion of the Plan will consist of a long-term phase and a short-term phase. As a result
of the size of the Town and uncertainties regarding the Landfill Law and solid waste
projects in other Long Island towns, the long-term phase is divided into three stages
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(1996-2002, 2003-2009, and 2010-2015). The short-term phase (1992-1995) consists of
actions that will. provide for continued planning to allow for changes in solid waste
projects in other towns, and will reflect a cautious approach to the Town's decision
making. In addition, the residual waste portion of the Plan contains recommended actions
for the interim period (1990-1992) that will allow for initial Plan start-up.
The three stages of the long-term phase will each be approximately six to seven
years in duration. This will provide for a periodic evaluation of alternative
processing/disposal options for the 25% to 30% residual waste, and allow the Town to
pursue a more cost-effective option, should one become available during any one of the
three stages. At the end of each stage, a Plan update would be prepared, at least with
respect to the residual waste portion of the Town's Plan. This would reflect any new and
emerging technologies and changes in the currently proposed processing/disposal options
in other towns, particularly the larger western towns.
Based upon the current (1990) DGEIS analysis, the preferred option for handling the
residual waste would be most efficiently achieved at an energy recovery facility (ERF) in
one of the Towns to the west, with reciprocal yard waste composting at a regional yard
waste composting operation in Southold. As part of a contract with the town having the
energy recovery facility, it is recommended that Southold negotiate terms whereby it
would accept an equal quantity of yard waste for composting. Since Southold would be
expected to pay a tip fee at the energy recovery facility, fees collected at the composting
operation would be used to offset processing costs at the energy recovery facility.
jThis option is attractive since it would not require a major capital investment by the
Town for a solid waste facility other than a significant expansion of the existing yard
waste composting operation. This waste exchange option may be difficult to implement
as a result of the complex intermunicipal negotiations and agreements that must be set in
place. Consequently, a strong NYSDEC role as a facilitator would be essential for the
success of this option in any, or all, of the three stages of the long-term phase.
If the Town is unable to implement a yard waste exchange arrangement with a town
to the west having or proposing an energy recovery facility with sufficient capacity, then
I
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a 15 acre landfill (needed for the 20 year period 1996-2015), to be implemented in three
five acre cells would become the preferred option. The new, state-of-the-art landfill
would be double lined and would feature dual leachate collection and treatment systems
and methane recovery. The first five acre cell would be sufficient to dispose of the 25%
to 30% residual waste for the first stage of the long-term phase (1996-2002). During this
period, the evaluation of possible yard waste exchange arrangements with towns in the
area having energy recovery processing facilities would continue for possible utilization
during the second stage of the long-term phase (2003-2009). If a suitable facility to
process the remaining waste is not found to exist before the end of the first 6 to 7 year
stage, a second five acre landfill cell would be constructed for use during the second stage
of the long-term phase (2003-2009). This would be followed by a third five acre landfill if
the ongoing evaluation indicates that it would be necessary for the final long-term stage
of the Plan (through 2015).
If both the yard waste exchange and landfill options prove unfeasible, then seasonal
energy recovery processing at a town to the west that has an energy recovery facility is
the recommended option. Under this alternative, the Town would utilize available
capacity at the energy recovery facility during off-peak periods (presumably six "winter"
months) in conjunction with landfilling of the residual waste at a new Town landfill during
peak periods (presumably six "summer" months) when capacity would not be available. As
with the previous preferred options, the Town would continue to evaluate alternatives
that might become available for possible implementation in a subsequent stage of the
long-term phase.
It should also be stressed that this regional cooperative approach (consistent with
DEC's promotion of intermunicipal cooperation) would be contingent upon either: 1) the
implementation of a fourth unit expansion at the Huntington/Smithtown facility; 2) a third
unit expansion at the Babylon facility; or 3) the construction of the previously proposed
Brookhaven Composting/Energy Recovery Facility (CERF). Recent reports, however,
indicate that Brookhaven is considering processing its solid waste at the Hempstead
energy recovery facility instead of going forward with the CERF project. In addition, the
fourth unit analyses for Huntington/Smithtown have not been completed, and a Babylon
third unit has not been officially proposed. As a result of these uncertainties, Southold
should simultaneously proceed with evaluations of any permitted private sector solid
waste ventures in the area to determine their feasibility in satisfying the Town's needs
with regard to the 25% to 30% residual waste.
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The implementation of this multistaged approach would allow for disposal of the
25% to 30% residual waste remaining after the implementation of the Town's resource
recovery system without committing to lined landfilling for the full life of the proposed
Plan. As part of this staged approach, the proposed Plan would be updated with respect to
residuals disposal prior to each stage. The development of five acre incremental landfill
cells, sufficient for 6 to 7 year intervals, would allow for a continuous evaluation of
energy recovery alternatives and private sector ventures (possibly including solid waste
composting) that may become viable in the future.
In the short-term phase of the Plan (1992-1995), it is recommended that the Town
construct a new, five acre lined landfill for residual waste disposal. The new lined five
acre landfill would be located on Town owned land at the existing landfill complex and
would feature a double composite liner system, dual leachate collection and treatment
systems, and methane recovery. This new landfill would provide for the disposal of the
25% to 30% residual waste until the Town can take the necessary steps to implement the
preferred long-term option, and is expected to have a useful life of approximately four to
five years, depending on levels of recycling.
For the short and long-term phases of the Plan to be implemented, a two year
extension (through legislative, regulatory, or legal action) of the landfill closure date
mandated by the Long Island Landfill Law would be necessary for continued, but reduced,
landfilling at the current site in the interim period (1990-1992) until the new five acre
lined landfill (short-term phase) is permitted and completed.
j Continued use of Southold's existing landfill would also allow for it to achieve the
desired configuration and contour elevations for proper closure and capping. This two
year extension would also provide for interim disposal and avoid long haul. This would
avoid travel through the western towns and New York City, and would not result in
out-of-state or upstate exportation. This arrangement would conform to the' Landfill
Law's provision allowing continued landfilling during implementation of a resource
recovery system if there is no energy recovery processing available to the Town. If a
landfill extension is not granted, then long haul of the Town's waste off Long Island would
be necessary until the first five acre cell is completed.
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As part of the 25% to 30% residual portion of the Plan, it is recommended that
Fishers Island continue current landfill procedures for approximately one to two years
until the existing landfill (which is relatively flat) reaches capacity and can be capped and
closed. After that time, the mixed waste and separated recyclables could be transported
directly off Fishers Island using collection vehicles rather than a transfer operation and
handled with the rest of the Town's waste stream.
This arrangement for Fishers Island would correspond to approximately 70 to 100
trips per year, on average, assuming approximately one trip per week during six months of
the year, approximately two trips per week during three months of the year, and
approximately three trips per week for the remaining three months of the year. The
transportation cost would be offset by the elimination of the current landfilling and
leasing costs on Fishers Island. The future landfill/disposal with the rest of the Town's
waste could be covered through the Town's tax base since it would be combined with the
total waste stream of the Town. The collection and transportation could be handled by
the Fishers Island Garbage and Refuse District, or it could be open to any Town permitted
carters who choose to offer services to residents on Fishers Island.
Initial cost estimates were prepared as part of a preliminary cost analysis of various
long-term processing/disposal options available to the Town. Processing at a western
Long Island town's energy recovery facility with reciprocal yard waste composting,
identified as the preferred option, has 20 year costs (1990 dollars) ranging from $18
million to $34 million ($60 to $94 per ton) if the host town is responsible for residuals
disposal. Costs for developing a new landfill in three five acre stages, identified as the
second ranked long-term option, would range from $26 million to $29 million ($82 to $89
per ton) over the 20 year period.
Seasonal processing at the proposed Brookhaven CERF (if implemented), in
conjunction with landfilling in a new lined Town landfill during peak periods of the year
when capacity is not available, is the third ranked option, with 1990 costs ranging from
$26 million to $34 million ($88 to $94 per ton) over the 20 year period of the long-term
portion of the Plan. If seasonal processing is carried out with the Towns of Huntington or
Babylon, it would result in 1990 costs ranging from $27 million to $59 million ($90 to $141
per ton).
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These preliminary estimates are presented in 1990 dollars and are preliminary for
the purpose of conducting a comparative analysis between alternatives, and will be
updated as necessary in the final Plan/FGEIS. Final estimated costs will be determined as
a result of detailed engineering design, supplemental EIS analysis, responses to formal
procurement procedures, and terms of intermunicipal/contractual agreements. Table S-1
presents a summary of both the proposed resource recovery system and the residual waste
portion of the proposed Plan.
S.5 Landfill Siting
As part of the development of the solid waste Plan, a preliminary landfill siting
evaluation was performed. This evaluation was conducted to determine if sites were
available within the Town that could be considered in the future for use as a landfill site
should the need arise. The results indicate that there are currently 27 areas within the
Town, other than the existing site, which could be considered for landfilling in the future.
However, in this case the siting analysis would require updating and further evaluation.
With regard to the proposed Plan's short-term 5 acre landfill, sufficient space is available
at the existing Town solid waste complex to accommodate the new cell. Consequently,
the available land at the site would be used for landfilling through the year 1995. Should
the Town implement one or more of the additional 5 acre stages beyond 1995, then the
siting analysis, which has indicated other potential sites (including land adjacent to the
current site), would be updated and used in the final siting determination.
S.6 Regional/Neighboring Jurisdictional Involvement
Regional alternatives with neighboring Towns were considered and are reflected in
the proposed Plan. Islandwide regional possibilities are also possible with the development
of a 10-Town (Suffolk County), or 13-Town (Nassau and Suffolk Counties), cooperative to
collectively market recyclable materials. This regional effort could provide for
substantial assistance in dealing with secondary materials markets. In particular this
includes:
East End To the West
o Shelter Island o Brookhaven
o Riverhead o Huntington
o East Hampton o Smithtown
o Southampton o Babylon
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S.7 Public Education, Information, and Involvement
One of the key components of the proposed Plan will be an effective public
education, information, and involvement program. There are numerous ways to inform
the public about the Town's current and future recycling and disposal programs. While it
may be necessary to perform surveys within the Town to establish the basis for a specific
education and involvement program, some areas that are recommended as part of the
public participation aspect of the proposed Plan include:
o Media coverage of the efforts made by the Town to support and encourage
recycling
o Public notices, direct mailings, and media promotions of current and new
programs
o Town assistance to elementary, middle, and high schools in implementing
recycling programs for the schools
o Town/school sponsored educational events such as essay, picture, and/or logo
contests
o Town cooperation with schools, and the State, to develop curriculum, special
events, and tours concerning recycling and recycling operations
o Town advertisements and promotion of the use of compost from the yard waste
composting operation
o Encouragement by the Town for landscapers and others to promote backyard
composting
o An outreach and educational effort to public and private users of the landfill to
generate cooperation and involvement in new recycling programs
o Town discussions with waste haulers to address collection and recycling
concerns and to obtain an effective transition as new programs are implemented
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o Assistance from the East End Recycling Association in developing regional
educational and involvement programs
o Town outreach efforts targeted to seasonal residents, tourists, and seasonal
businesses for active participation in recycling and other programs
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TABLE S-1
TOWN OF SOUTHOLD DRAFT SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN(1990 thru 2015)
BASE PLAN RESOURCE RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR 70%TO 75%OF THE WASTE STREAM i 25%TO 30%RESIDUAL WASTE
WASTE REDUCTION REUSE/RECYCLING/COMPOSTING PROGRAM PROCESSING/DISPOSAL OPTIONS"
10% 60%to 65% 25%to 30%
ENCOURAGE EFFORTS TO: • CONSTRUCTION&DEMOLITION DEBRIS RECYCLING(15%) SHORT TERM(1992 THRU 1995)-
• REDUCE PACKAGING MATERIALS 21 tpd to 1995 to 28 tpd in 2015 • HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE RECYCLING(<OS%) - 34 TPD to 41 TPD in 1992 to 35 TPD to 43 TPD in 1995
Recycling&Processing at a Private Facility - OS tpd in 1995 to 1 tpd in 2015 it Develop New,5 Acre Lined Landfill at Existing Solid Waste Disposal
On-site Land Disposal and<2 Acte Clem Fill on Fishers Island - Full Ttmc Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off("S.T.OP."): Complex
• EXPAND THE CURRENT BEVERAGE Paints,Cleaners T.himers etc • Evaluate Feasibility of Long Term Options Below.Continuously Compare
CONTAINER DEPOSIT LAW
it LAND CLEARING DEBRIS RECYCLING(15%) - Minimum of Two Collection"Events"Per Ycar on Fishers to Any Permitted Private Sector Ventures that Become Available
• INCREASE USE OF RECYCLED 21 tpd in 1995 to 28 tpd in 2015 Eland LONG TERM( 996 THRU 2015)
MATERIALS Recycling&Processing ar a Private Facility
Stages
On-site Land Disposal and<2 Acre Clean FB f«New Development • TIRE RECYCLING(<O(,0.5%) 36 TPD o 43 TPD m 1995 ta TPD o t TPD io 2015
on Fishers Island Implement in three 6 0 7 Year Sges one off the options below(in order of
• INCREASE USE OF REUSABLE - OS tpd in 1995 to 1 tpd in 2015 preference). If a more cost-effective private sector venture in the arca is
PRODUCTS&PACKAGING d.e.. - Stockpile and Transfer to Out-of-Town Tine Recycling/ pertained,hold in abeyance implementation of the following stage(s).
RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES) it YARD WASTE COMPOSTING(10%) Processing Facility Update plan for residual waste prior to end of each stage.
14 tpd in 1995 to 19 tpd in 2015 Stockpiled and then Shipped off Fisbers Island
• EXPAND LEGISLATION TO Townwide Leaf Composting Facility • AGRICULTURAL/COMMERCIAI✓INSITIUTIONAL • TOP RANKED:YARD WASTE EXCHANGE
INCLUDE DEPOSITS FOR Option for Expansion to Accommodate Out-of-Town Yard Wastes RECYCLING(15%1 Use western Ll.Town ERF/CERF(possibly Brookhaven,Huntington/
BATTERIES&TIRES - Pilot Program f« c
Coompostiag of Sludge and Low Grade Paper Smithtown,or Babylon,if capacity is made available).
With Yard Waste 21 tpd in 1995 to 28 tpd in 2015 ERF/CERF Responsible for Bypass/Residuals Disposal
• INCREASE PRODUCT - Homeowner/Larndxa r Back and C of Leaves,Grass,& - Town and Private Sector Reduction,Reuse and Recycling
Pe Y ompos�B - Fees Collated at Southold's Yard Waste Composting Facility Used to
SUBSTITUTION Binh Programs(Offices,Stores,Retail Outlets,eat:.) Offset Costs Associated with Out-of-Town ERF/CERF Processing
Discourage Pick-up of Grass Clippings - Sand/S°d Reuse - Requires DEC Assistance in Facilitating and Promoting Exchange
• PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY - Small Scale Yard Waste Com ration&On-lot Composting - Town and Private Sector Removal and Recycling of Corrugate
Compos"� Pce nn6 vd Arrangement with Western Towne)
MODOICATION by Landscapers on Individual Properties on Fishers Island.
• RESH)ENTIAL RECYCLING(3%TO 8%) it T'•RANKED:NEW,LINED TOWN LANDFH L*
• HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES RECYCLING(1%) 4 tpd to 11 tpd in 1995,6 tpd to IS tpd in 2015 - Develop New Landfill in 5 Acre Stages each f«6 to 7 Year Periods,or
- I tpd in 1995 to 2 tpd in 2015 - Use Brookhaven Recycling Facility for Initial 3 to 5 Year Period Longer if Recycling Efforts are Higher than Expected
Stockpile and Transfer to a Private Recycling Center. _ If an East End Center is not Developed,Continue to Use
Stoves,Rcf igeratrara,Heaters,etc. Brookhaven Recycling Facility or Similar Facility for 3 to 5 it 3-RANKED,SEASONAL OUT-OF-TOWN ENERGY RECOVERY
Stockpiled and then Shipped off Fishers Island Year Increments PROCESSING WITH NEW,LINED TOWN LANDFILL-
Recycling Rolloff Bins on Fishers Island Expanded to Include - Develop New Landfill in 5 Ase Stages(each with 10 Year Life)to be
Plastics and Corrugated then Shipped off Fishers Island Used in Conjuction with Seasonal ERF/CERF Processing
Utilize Seasonally Available Capacity at ERF/CFRF
INTERIM PERIOD 11990- 19921
• Begin Agressive Impkrnenution of Base Plan to Achieve 70%to 75% Reducion/Recycling/Reuse Goal by 1995. • Acquire through Appropriate Procedures, Available State EQBA Assistance Funds and County Saks Tax Assistance
• Begin 2 Year Phase Out of Existing Landfill(and Fishers Island Landfill)to Allow for Proper Grading to Ensure Funds for Closure and Capping of Existing Landfill.
Acceptable Slopes for Capping. Requires 2 year extension to Landfill Law deadline. it Continue Use of Remaining Capacity at Fishers Island Landfill (2 to 3'Years) for Non-vecyclable/Non-musable Waste.
• Implement Hydrogeelogic Investigation in 1990 and 1991 to Support Capping and Closure Plans for Existing Landfill. it Prepare EIS and Part 360 Permit Application for New, 5 Acre Lined Landfill to be Used for Shon-Term
• Submit in 1991, for NYSDEC Approval, Closure and Capping Plan for Existing Landfill. • Note: Requires legal, regulatory, or legislative deteanw[ion that 25% to 30% residual disposal is consistent with
landfilling allowances in Landfill Law.
..Includes any of Fishers Island waste delivered to Town facilities.