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Regional Composting Workshop with DEP and State Planning Office

Way back last summer, I attended this joint workshop at the Knox County Courthouse. Several towns sent attendees, and a few restaurants in Rockland had employees attend. We watched a presentation about municipal composting, and talked about ways that we could implement a regional composting facility.

Given that Rockland has, as of last July, changed its policies concerning dump fees, and given that compost is very heavy, it makes all kinds of sense to try to get food trimmings and other compostable waste out of the dumpster and into the compost bin.

We looked at many examples, during the meeting last summer, of trucks that communities who compost use, the types of composting bins, the types of composting facilities that would be required, and of course, the finished product: Good, rich, compost that can be put back into the garden, rather than hauled up to PERC.

Remember, it costs tax dollars to burn trash at PERC, and burning trash- compost or otherwise- also releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. And, if we can get the very heavy food scraps out of the hopper, it means that loal businesses such as restaurants will see fewer costs associated with the more expensive tonnage fees that Rockland now has in place.

Composting could also help local haulers, because they could have another aspect of their business to develop. We could work with local haulers, such as applying for grants and funding for the bins that the compost would go in for businesses and residents, and to help transition trucks and equipment in partnership for a goal that needs to be accomplished for everyone's benefit.

The Compost Pad at Rockland- WE GOT THE GRANT

Congratulations and Great Work, Dave

Solid Waste Director, David St. Laurent, submitted an application recently to the State Planning Office, Waste Management and Recycling Program for a $25,000 Capital Investment Grant. We have received the grant and the City Council accepted it. The money will be used to expand the city’s existing recycling/composting program by installing an asphalt compost pad and developing educational flyers with which to educate the public about the composting program. The city will contribute about 15% ($4,250) toward the total cost of the project.

The local haulers and residents have been asking me if there is anything we can do to lower the 65 dollar dump sticker fee this budget season, and the tonnage fee. Remember, the dump sticker fee and the tonnage fee are proportional. Larry and I sat down and looked at the numbers and wondered if there was any way. We talked to Dave. Larry talked to Tom in Finance. There's been some setbacks at the landfill, as many of you know: the fires, and also we had some equipment failure. Once again, we had a Construction and Demolition Debris Hauler default on payments. We're going after the money, and we will eventually get it, but, on top of that, the construction season wasn't so great last year, which also means that the demolition season wasn't so great. We could still see the numbers pick up, but we are not even halfway to the money that was anticipated to come in that could be set aside for landfill closure.

As you have heard me say so many times, I am not in favor of Construction and Demolition Debris as being the Budget Savior for the City of Rockland. But, I am not going to win that fight. Not now, anyway. It's an issue that is going to be with Rockland for a very long time: and an issue that may have long-term consequences that, in the immediate moment of gaining the revenue (when we actually gain it) from C and D waste, we refuse to acknowledge. For example, what is this doing to the environment? Do we REALLY know? What is REALLY happening underground, if this stuff keeps catching on fire? What happens in a world without a gas extraction system and a pumping system, to take away the gas that is created, and to take away the water that rises in the quarry to the Pollution Control Center? Clearly, these are all questions we need to ask, but that have very complex answers or, no answer at all.

In light of all this doom and gloom, what on earth CAN we do? Well, we can compost. The only positive, and sure, way we can get those dump fees down for everyone is to GET FOOD AND COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS OUT OF THE HOPPER. For a restaurant with a dumpster, this would be huge. To that end, I plan on focusing my energy on getting our composting facility underway.

AND- please remember, you don't have to buy a 65 dollar sticker if you just want to recycle and pay per bag. A pack of bags is $7.50.