Otsego County

Local Solid Waste Management Plan

Biennial Update (2020)

Prepared By:

Otsego County Planning and Solid Waste Department

Shane Digan, Planner & Recycling Coordinator

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Section 1 - Summary Report

Planning Unit Changes:

None

Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal Data:

2018 Projection

Tonnage

2018 Actual 2019 Projection

Tonnage

2019 Actual

Total MSW 43,571 43,901.19 43,174 44,968.73

MSW Diverted 5462 (12.5%) 4,847.30

(11.03%)

5698 (13%) 4,540.47

(10.10%)

*MSW includes industrial, construction, demolition

As can be seen above, the County has not quite achieved its waste diversion goals. However, the

department believes these numbers will improve slightly in 2020 and 2021. Recycling

Enforcement has been lacking and once that is more fully enforced, we expect the recycling rate

to drastically increase. Additionally, the County food waste composting program is in its infancy.

Once that is able to grow, we expect a large increase in waste diversion.

Note: Projection data from Page 8 of the Appendices of the LSWMP (Step 7). Diverted tonnage

is approximate due to estimates with hazardous waste and mattresses. More detailed breakdown

is not possible as the County only collects single stream recycling, along with separated scrap

metal and electronics.

Changes to Solid Waste Management Practices:

The Otsego County Solid Waste Department has started new initiatives and practices since the

adoption of the LSWMP. Below are these changes.

Cardboard separation for residents at Southern Transfer Station (Oneonta)

Glass separation for residents at Southern and Northern Transfer Station (Oneonta and

Cooperstown)

Polystyrene Recycling program

Food waste composting

Tennis ball recycling expansion

Outreach and Education Activities:

Outreach and Education activities have grown immensely since the adoption of the LSWMP. In

June, 2019 the County hired a Recycling Coordinator through the DEC Recycling Education and

Outreach Grant. This person has helped to vastly expand outreach and education through the

below activities and methods.

Local events attendance to promote recycling (County fair, town celebrations, other

relevant events)

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Town board informational presentations on the DEC plastic bag ban and potential paper

bag fee

Distribution of hundreds of reusable shopping bags

Television ad campaign

Radio ad campaign (“Trash Talk”)

School plastic film recycling challenge and posters in schools

Local committee/group presence and collaboration

More frequent website updates

Complying with Local Laws:

The Otsego County Solid Waste Department has begun revising the County’s Mandated

Separation Law (originally adopted in 1989). Following this update, the County will step-up

enforcement of source separated recycling, mostly with local haulers and multifamily dwelling

unit owners.

Obstacles:

The Otsego County Solid Waste Department has faced obstacles in furthering the goals and

objectives of the LSWMP. The COVID19 outbreak has stressed budgets and capabilities. The

department temporarily laid off the Recycling Coordinator for June and July of 2020 and has

been forced to restrict spending to a minimum. Additionally, leadership of the department has

changed as of August 2020 and our department has lost (temporarily) our office specialist who

assisted the Recycling Coordinator and department generally with recycling promotion and

invoicing. At this point, the department is mostly trying to maintain the current system as best as

possible.

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Status of Adherence to Implementation Schedule:

Otsego County Solid Waste Management Plan – Implementation Schedule (2018-2027)

Task PY 1 PY 2 PY 3 PY 4 PY 5 PY 6 PY 7 PY 8 PY

9

Current Status (as of 9-

2020) Comments

Implement a

polystyrene

recycling program

Secure a market and partner

Apply for grant funding

Purchase equipment and implement pilot program

Begin recycling polystyrene

On-going This task has been

completed. The County

has purchased equipment

and the Arc Otsego

ReUse Center is

processing and recycling

polystyrene

Construct and/or

site an in-county

mattress recycling

facility

Research and Development of Partnerships

Locate Site Award bids for operation and construction

Facility built and operating

Begin collecting mattresses from out-of-county

On-going Still in the research

phase. The County is

considering contracting

with a new recycler that

would include mattress

recycling (out of county)

but at a lower cost than is

currently being paid.

Ban Plastic Bags

in Otsego County

Research Develop implementation plan

Pass legislation

On-going N/A. New York State has

banned plastic bags

Support the

Otsego ReUse

Center by creating

a drop-off

location at STS

Develop plans Build Drop-off at STS and begin collecting items

On-going On hold due to

COVID19. The County

had planned to apply for

a CFCSNY grant to build

a bin but all grants were

put on hold for

emergency funding only.

The County does not

have money budgeted or

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available for this project

at the moment.

Support the

Expansion of the

Otsego County

Regional

Composting

Facility

Begin accepting compost from SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick (Phase 1)

Expand to businesses and restaurants (Phase 2)

Expand to curbside collection for Oneonta residents (Phase 3)

Implement drop-off at County Transfer Stations

On-going Support of Composting Facility

The scope of this project

has changed but progress

is being made.

Equipment has been

purchased by the City of

Oneonta and installed at

Seward Sand and Gravel.

Residents can now take

their food waste to the

Oneonta transfer station.

Food waste bins have

been purchased by a non-

profit partner and are

available for sale.

Partner with local

landscaper(s) to

accept yard

trimmings from

County residents

Develop partnerships with local landscapers

On-going No progress yet

Expand media

presence to a wide

array of platforms

Build budget in preparation for media campaign

Purchase ads on social media, radio, newspaper, and television

Continue building media presence and adapting to new platforms

The County has

purchased and produced

Television ads and radio

ads to promote recycling.

Due to budgetary

constraints due to

COVID19, only radio

ads are currently running.

We hope to bring back

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television

advertisements, paid

social media

advertisements, and

physical media

advertisements in the

future.

Establish a

Recycling

Coordinator/ Solid

Waste Educator

Position

Evaluate cost comparisons in-house vs. contracted

Establish position, Interview candidates or release RFP, hire

On-going This position has been

created and is currently

filled.

Conduct periodic

waste assessments

of MSW, C&D,

and Recyclables

Research waste assessment programs

Develop assessment schedule, coordinate volunteers, and begin waste assessments

On-going SUNY Stonybrook had

planned to include

Otsego County in a state-

wide waste assessment

that is currently on hold

due to COVID19

Facilitate Data-

sharing between

Otsego County

and its neighbors

Correspondence with neighboring counties

On-going data sharing Have shared fee data

with neighboring

counties. Need to

improve this.

Implement a

Local Hauler

Registration

Program

Set registration schedule and develop requirements

Begin registering haulers

On-going Plan to implement this

program with the

adoption of a new

mandated recycling law

Implement a C&D

Recycling

Program

Develop IFB and award bid for C&D recycling

Develop contract and start pilot program

Continued expansion and improvement of C&D recycling program

No progress yet.

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Construct a MSW

and Biosolids Co-

Composting

Facility

Research Locate sites and obtain support

Apply for funding, develop plans, and secure operating partner

Award bid and begin construction

Complete construction and begin pilot

Continued expansion and improvement of program

No progress yet. See

composting above.

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Section 2 – Waste and Recyclables Data

Waste Facilities:

Facility Location

Ontario County Landfill 1879 NY-5, Stanley NY

Chemung County Landfill 1488 County Route 60, Chemung, NY

Fulton County Landfill 847 Mud Rd., Johnstown, NY

Casings Inc. 169 Maple Ave., Catskill, NY

Otsego Auto Crushers 6071 NY-23, Oneonta, NY

Sierra Processing (Waste Connections) 5 S Pearl St., Albany, NY

Casella Recycling 3555 Post Farm Rd., Stanley, NY

Southern Tier Recyclers 5730 NY-434, Apalachin, NY

Seward Sand & Gravel 532 County Route 58, Oneonta, NY

Triad Recycling 3755 River Rd., Tonawanda, NY

Evolution Recycling 5 Claremont Street, Johnstown, NY

Taylor Recycling 352 Glen Mary Dr., Owego, NY

A. 2018

Destination

(Facility)

Type of

Waste

Tonnage

(Southern

Transfer

Station)

Tonnage

(Northern

Transfer

Station)

Tonnage (Total)

Ontario County

Landfill

Industrial

Waste

34.07 7.08 41.15

Ontario County

Landfill

Municipal

Solid Waste

(MSW)

26,302.97 6,674.43 32,977.40

Chemung

County Landfill

Industrial

Waste

6.83 1.88 8.71

Chemung

County Landfill

Municipal

Solid Waste

(MSW)

2,298.78 251.01 2,549.79

Fulton County

Landfill

Municipal

Solid Waste

(MSW)

2,518.14 1,006.25 3,524.39

Casings Inc. Tires 3.04 22.75 25.79

Otsego Auto

Crushers

Scrap Metal 43.21 61.66 104.87

Triad Recycling Mattresses 49.99 49.99

Sierra

Processing

Single Stream

Recycling

2,401.92 307.38 2,709.30

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Casella

Recycling

Single Stream

Recycling

354.81 69.92 424.73

Southern Tier

Recyclers

Single Stream

Recycling

1,199.35 285.81 1,485.16

MXI

Environmental

Services

Hazardous

Waste

47.46 (approx..)

*MSW includes construction, demolition

B. 2019

Destination

(Facility)

Type of Waste Tonnage

(Southern

Transfer

Station)

Tonnage

(Northern

Transfer

Station)

Tonnage

(Total)

Ontario County

Landfill

Industrial Waste 27.31 0 27.31

Ontario County

Landfill

Municipal Solid

Waste (MSW)

28,184.12 11,501.39 39,685.51

Chemung

County Landfill

Municipal Solid

Waste (MSW)

759.17 64.84 824.01

Casings Inc. Tires 15.68 9.89

Seward Sand &

Gravel

Compost (food

scraps)

.1 0 .1

Otsego Auto

Crushers

Scrap Metal 72.79 88.43

161.22

Triad Recycling Mattresses 58.34 0 58.34

Evolution

Recycling

Electronics 89.25 0 89.25

Sierra

Processing

Single Stream

Recycling

2,565.71 783.99 3,349.70

Taylor

Recycling

Single Stream

Recycling

731.25 68.43 799.68

MXI

Environmental

Services

Hazardous

Waste

56.61 (approx..)

*MSW includes construction, demolition

Section 3 – LSWMP Section Updates

4.2.2. Residential

(Current text with revisions highlighted below)

Table 3.1 above provides a summary of the locations that accept recyclables

throughout the county. Casella Waste Systems, Inc. is contracted with the county to

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provide recycling services to the twelve municipal recycling stations, and provide

for the collection, transport and marketing of all recyclables collected in Otsego

County. The county does not have its own materials recovery facility (MRF).

Currently in 2017, recyclables have been transported to Sierra Recycling in

Albany County and Taylor Recycling in Appalachian, NY. With the exception of

‘redemption’ centers for the collection of returnable bottles and cans, there are no

other recycling facilities in the county. The residential collection of recyclables is

handled in two ways: curbside collection and residential drop-off. Residents can

contract with private haulers to collect their MSW and recyclables curbside or

they can bring their recyclables and in some cases MSW to a county subsidized

recycling transfer station in the designated municipalities noted in the above chart.

There is no charge for county residents to dispose of recyclables (refer to accepted

materials list above) in Otsego County. The County has begun offering separated

cardboard and glass recycling options at the two main transfer stations

(Cooperstown and Oneonta). This enables the County to save money as cardboard

is taken to Otsego Auto Crushers in Oneonta, NY with a credit to the County. Glass

is taken to Ruby Lake Glass/ Andela Glass in Richfield, NY free of charge.

(Transportation provided by Casella is the only charge for these separated

materials)

4.2.6 Composting and Organics Recovery

(Current text with revisions highlighted below)

The County does not have the ability to accept and process organics on a county wide basis. The

City of Oneonta has a curbside collection of yard waste for residents that are brought to a city

composting facility on Silas Lane, adjacent to the NTS. An effort this past winter (2016-2017)

was to offer the collection of Christmas trees for County residents at both transfer stations.

In 2016 the City of Oneonta received a $420,000 award to implement an Otsego County

Regional Composting Facility through the Climate Smart Communities grants program.

This effort was spear-headed by the SUNY Oneonta Office of Sustainability. Seward

Sand & Gravel Inc. will match the $420,000 award and run the composting facility at their site

located off County Highway 58 in the town of Oneonta. The composting facility will collect food

waste from schools, grocery stores, restaurants, and aims implement a curbside residential

collection of food waste in the future. The organizations involved include Casella Waste Systems,

Mohican Farm in the town of Springfield, the Otsego County Planning Department, Otsego

County Soil and Water Conservation District, the City of Oneonta and its Environmental Board,

the Otsego County Board of Representatives, Hartwick College, SUNY Oneonta, Seward Sand

and Gravel and the Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA).

Equipment has been purchased (2019/20) to process organic food waste and has been delivered

to Seward Sand & Gravel Inc. Currently, the facility can accept many types of food waste

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including fruits, grains, vegetables, and coffee grounds. In the future, the County hopes to use

remaining funds in the grant to purchase equipment enabling the facility to process all food

waste types (meat, bones, fish, dairy, etc.)

Mohican Farm, located just north of Cooperstown, has a composting facility run by farm

manager Bob Sutherland. The facility handles post and pre-consumer food waste collected from

The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York. The food waste is then composted in an

aerated compost system on the farm. This aerated compost system is capable of handling 150-

180 tons of organic food waste.

5.1.6. Enforcement Programs

(Current text with revisions highlighted below)

The County currently employs two transfer station attendants who monitor the recycling bins

and help ensure that residents are placing the appropriate items in those bins. Currently, when

faced with issues from residents, businesses, or local haulers, the County is able to address its

concerns on an individual basis and resolve without issue. The County also charges $99/ton for

loads of MSW mixed with recyclables and charges $20 for uncovered loads. Otherwise, the

County does not have enforceability outside its transfer stations.

Local laws regarding junk, debris, or solid waste are not enforceable by the County. Rather, they

are the responsibility of the town, city, or village to uphold.

The County would benefit from, and is working to, enact an updated mandated recycling

separation law. This updated law would clarify the County’s role in materials management and

mandate recycling of recyclable material from haulers, residents, businesses, and multifamily

dwelling unit owners. Enforcement mechanisms will be included with clear fine structures. This

law will ideally include a hauler registration program with data maintenance requirements to

provide further oversight of haulers in the County (see section 5.1.10).

5.1.15 Waste Disposal Options

(Current text with revisions highlighted below)

There are a number of options when it comes to disposing of solid waste such as landfills in state, landfills out of state, thermal treatment facilities, and compost facilities to name a few. Some of those options are previously addressed in this chapter and therefore will not be addressed here. Currently, the County operates two transfer stations with several small drop-off locations operated by the Towns and Villages. All waste generated in the County is then trucked to Western New York and primarily goes to the Ontario County Landfill. The Ontario County landfill is expected to run out of room in 2028, at which point Otsego County will have to find another location for its waste.22 An in-county landfill or thermal treatment facility are both unlikely due to strong environmental concerns in county and the time required to develop such a facility. As the County currently relies on its connections from its contracted transfer station operator, future requests for

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proposals should require a bidder to verify they have an established connection to a landfill in which to dispose of the County’s waste. The County would benefit financially and possibly environmentally from an in-county landfill due to transportation and tipping costs. The County should begin researching the possibility of building an in-county landfill. A more likely waste disposal Another option is a Municipal Solid Waste and Biosolids co-composting facility, similar to the one in neighboring Delaware County. In 2005, Delaware County began operations at its co-composting facility and has been able to divert more than 70% of its MSW from entering their county run landfill. MSW is collected by a grappling arm and placed in a rotating (“bioreactor”) drum. The material works its way through the drum over the course of approximately three days. The material is dramatically reduced in size and screened to remove any inorganic materials. The screened material then enters the composting section of the facility where biosolids are added. The material remains in this portion of the facility for ~56 days before it is refined once last time before sitting for ~90 days before reaching its final product. The final product is then sold to be used on various projects. Materials that are removed throughout the composting process enter the landfill.

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Section 4 – Implementation Schedule and Waste Stream Projection Revisions

A. Implementation Schedule

(Changes noted on right column)

Otsego County Solid Waste Management Plan – Implementation Schedule (2018-2027)

Task PY 1

(2018)

PY 2

(2019)

PY 3 (2020) PY 4 (2021) PY 5

(2022)

PY 6

(2023)

PY 7

(2024)

PY 8

(2025)

PY 9

(2026)

Changes

Implement a

polystyrene

recycling

program

Secure a market and partner

Apply for grant funding

Purchase equipment and implement pilot program

Begin recycling polystyrene

Promote Polystyrene collection (ongoing)

This program

has been

implemented

successfully.

Further

promotion is

needed.

Construct

and/or site an

in-county

mattress

recycling

facility

Research and Development of Partnerships

Locate Site Award bids for operation and construction

Facility built and operating

Begin collecting mattresses from out-of-county

On-going On hold for now

as the County

considers a new

recycling

vendor.

Ban Plastic

Bags in

Otsego

County

Research Develop implementation plan

Pass legislation On-going N/A. New York

State has

banned plastic

bags

Support the

Otsego ReUse

Center by

creating a

drop-off

Develop plans Build Drop-off at STS and begin collecting items

On-going PY targets

moved forward.

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location at

STS

Support the

Expansion of

the Otsego

County

Regional

Composting

Facility

Begin accepting food

waste/composting at the

Oneonta transfer station

for delivery to Seward

Sand and Gravel.

Ordered equipment

(feeder/stacker/conveyor)

and delivered to Seward

Sand and Gravel. (this

step completed)

Purchase more equipment to

allow collection of ALL

food types.

(vermicomposting/digestion/

or some heating system)

Expand program to

businesses ahead of the

2022 separation mandate

from NYS

Continue

expanding

program to

businesses.

Expand

residential

collection to

Northern

Transfer

Station.

Promote

program

further

Implement curbside collection program for food waste working with local haulers.

Ongoing. Research feasibility of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility.

PY targets

moved forward

and alterations

made.

Partner with

local

landscaper(s)

to accept yard

trimmings

from County

residents

Develop partnerships with local landscapers

On-going PY targets

moved forward.

Expand media

presence to a

wide array of

platforms

Build budget in preparation for media campaign

Purchase ads on social media, radio, newspaper, and television

Continue building media presence and adapting to new platforms

No major

changes.

Establish a

Recycling

Coordinator/

Solid Waste

Educator

Position

Evaluate cost comparisons in-house vs. contracted

Establish position, Interview candidates or release RFP, hire

On-going This position

has been created

and is currently

filled.

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Conduct

periodic waste

assessments

of MSW,

C&D, and

Recyclables

Research waste assessment programs. Work with Stony Brook University to implement a waste assessment.

Develop assessment schedule, coordinate volunteers, and begin waste assessments

On-going PY targets

moved forward.

Notes on SUNY

Stonybrook

added.

Facilitate

Data-sharing

between

Otsego

County and its

neighbors

Correspondence with neighboring counties

On-going data sharing No changes.

Implement a

Local Hauler

Registration

Program

Set registration schedule and develop requirements along with development of new/updated recycling law.

Begin registering haulers

On-going PY targets

moved forward.

Implement a

C&D

Recycling

Program

Develop IFB and award bid for C&D recycling

Develop contract and start pilot program

Continued expansion and improvement of C&D recycling program

PY targets

moved forward.

Construct a

MSW and

Biosolids Co-

Composting

Facility

Research/Locate sites and obtain support

Apply for funding, develop plans, and secure operating partner

Award bid and begin construction

Complete construction and begin pilot

PY targets

moved forward.

(Also see

composting

section above)

Construct an

in-county

landfill

Research feasibility. Find potential sites in-county. Garner public support.

Begin siting. Hire engineering consultant. Begin permitting process.

Ongoing. New

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Develop new

Recycling

Law

Begin drafting an

updated mandated

recycling law with

clear enforcement

mechanisms, hauler

registration, and clear

targets.

Adopt new law and begin enforcement.

Ongoing. New

Develop

Green

Business

Certification

program

Draft certification

guidelines and program

specifics.

Start program and certify “green” businesses.

Ongoing. New

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B. Waste Stream Projections

Some changes to note:

The County expects to have some diversion of organic waste (food scraps). This is hard to

estimate but it is predicted to be under 50/tons year until 2022 and then 1000-5000 tons/year

following 2022 (increasing annually).

Additionally, through drafting a new recycling law and increasing recycling enforcement, the

County predicts our recycling rate to increase from about 11% total to 20%+. This includes all

recyclable material (glass, paper, cardboard, plastics, etc.)

The COVID19 pandemic has altered our waste collection totals and it is hard to predict the long-

term implications of this. The reduction in tourism and number of college students in the region

has reduced our waste generation, at least in the short term.