Municipal Food Waste Collections at Transfer Stations in Franklin County, MA:

3 Different Models

Amy DonovanProgram Director

Franklin County Solid Waste Management District

Greenfield, MA

Franklin County Solid Waste Management District

BernardstonBucklandCharlemontColrainConwayDeerfieldErvingGillHawleyHeathLeverett

LeydenMontagueNew Salem (since 2009)New Salem (since 2009)Northfield (since 2008)Northfield (since 2008)Orange?? (considering…)Orange?? (considering…)RoweShelburneSunderlandWarwick (starts in May!)Warwick (starts in May!)WendellWhately (since 2003)Whately (since 2003)

22 member towns: 17 transfer stations, 4 curbside, 3 municipal organics programs (TS)

Organics composting accepts materials previously destined for trash = less MSW

(“Organics”=“Commercial”=“On-Farm”=“Food Waste”)

Generally accepts:All food including items not composted at home: Meat, chicken, fish, bones, dairy, fats, oils

(bread, veggies, fruits)All paper including non recyclable: Paper cups, paper plates, napkins, paper towels, waxed

cardboard, waxed paper, soiled pizza boxes, soiled paper, soiled paper bags, flour/ sugar bags, egg cartons, paper packaging

Wood: skewers, chopsticks, coffee stirrers, sporks“Compostable plastic:” PLA cups, certain bags

NO plastic, metal, glass!

Benefits to municipality/ community

Save money on tipping fees: MSW: $73/ ton Compostables: $45/ ton

Save on hauling costs: less MSW trips to landfill or incinerator.Town events, schools, sometimes businesses/ restaurants can participate.Supports local commercial composting facilities = local business.Finished compost available for residents to purchase.Mitigate climate change!

Tons MSW/ Household/ Year

State average (per Carolyn Dann’s study): 1 ton/ household/ year

Comparison of some Franklin County towns:No PAYT: Heath 0.88 tons/ householdPAYT w/ yard waste: Deerfield 0.74 t./hhPAYT & food waste but not yard waste: New Salem 0.47 tons/ household/ year Northfield 0.44 tons/ household/ year

Pioneer Valley:Location, Location, Location!

Municipal Food Waste Collection: Whately Transfer Station

2003: pilot program funded through a DEP technical assistance grant. First organics program in state!?Six 68-gallon wheeled carts w/ bungee cordsTrash can filled w/ sawdust; cover food waste w/ sawdustTown employee delivers weekly to farm (4.2 miles)Destination: Bear Path Farm (Bill Obear), Whately, MAFarm also accepts food waste from Whately ElementaryOrganics collection = free to res; PAYT trash = $2/bagWhately’s 2010 recycling rate: 45%Estimated 10 tons collected in 2010

Whately Transfer Station

Windrows

Bear Path Farm, Whately, MA

Bear Path Farm, Whately, MAWinter windrows - active

Bear Path Farm, Whately, MA

Winter windrows - older

Turning the windrows

School food waste being mixed in.  The mix is: bedding +  manure + bedding + manure / food waste + bedding + manure + bedding +  manure + bedding. Total of nine 2+ cubic yard buckets.  These items are then mixed in place and then transported to a windrow.

Whately Financials/ Tonnages/ Results

Organics disp. = free to res; PAYT trash = $2/bagEstimated 10 tons collected in 2010No tipping fees: farm owner on Whately Solid Waste Comm., wants nitrogen = food wasteTown pays hourly employee to deliver.Total cost: about $335/ yearAvoided disposal costs: $860 Tip fees: 10 t. x $73 = $730 Hauling fees: about $130

Total $ saved: about $525

District initiated program (w/ DEP permission)Started May of 2008: Town/ District fundedTriple T Trucking: 2 yd dumpsterPicked up weekly: flat rate $75/ mo. (Upgrade to 3 yd. container soon: $105/mo.)

Tipped at Martin’s Farm, Greenfield MAOrganics collection = free to res; PAYT trash = $1.50/bagNorthfield 0.44 tons MSW/ household/ year (MA avg. 1 t.)Northfield 2010 recycling rate: 39%

Estimated 24 tons/ year

Municipal Food Waste Collection: Northfield Transfer Station

Northfield Transfer Station: 2 yd dumpster

Martin’s Farm in Greenfield accepts compost from schools:Pioneer HS, Northfield, Bernardston, Deerfield,Erving, Sunderland, Granby, Amherst,more..

andmarkets: Big Y stores, Greenfield Stop & Shop,McCusker’s,Greenfields Market

plus Shelburne Falls Compost Collaborative,more…

Windrow turner at Martin’s Farm

PR: front page article the week program started

Collection Bucket, Metal Sign

Northfield Financials/ Tonnages/ Results

Organics disp. = free to res; PAYT trash =$1.50/bag2 yd. dumpster p/u weekly: flat rate $75/ mo. (Upgrade to 3 yd. container soon: $105/mo.)

Estimated 24 tons/ yearTotal cost: $900/ yearAvoided disposal costs: $2284.00 Tip fees: 24 t. x $75 = $1,800 Hauling fees: about $242/ haul (10-14 t/ haul)= $484

Total $ saved: $1,384

Municipal Food Waste Collection: New Salem Transfer Station

Started July 2009Hauler/ compost facility provides 20 gallon Brute trash cansDestination: Clear View Composting (Rick Innes), Orange, MAFacility also accepts food and paper waste from Swift River Elementary, other schools/ events/ camps/ centersOrganics collection = free to res; PAYT trash = $1.50 /bagNew Salem’s 2010 recycling rate: 38%New Salem: 0.47 tons MSW/ household/ year (MA avg. 1 t.)Estimated 3.10 tons organics collected in FY 2010 (pop. 1,000)

New Salem Transfer Station: 20 gal barrels

Clear View CompostingOrange, MARick Innes

New Salem Financials/ Tonnages/ Results

Organics disp. = free to res; PAYT trash = $1.50 /bagHauler/ compost facility provides 20 gallon Brute trash cans, p/u weeklyEstimated 3.10 tons collected in FY 2010 (pop. 1,000)Cost of program: $392Avoided disposal costs: $310.00 Tip fees: 3.1 t. x $73 = $226 Hauling fees: about $270/ haul (10 t/ haul)= $84

Total $ saved: -$82.00

Future Programs

Warwick, MA will begin organics collection May 2011Orange, MA is seriously considering: could start in May 2011Both would be serviced by Clear View Composting, Orange, MA

Questions?

Amy DonovanProgram DirectorFranklin County Solid Waste Management District 50 Miles Street Greenfield, MA 01301 Tel: (413) 772-2438 amy@franklincountywastedistrict.orgwww.franklincountywastedistrict.org/