3. May Cornwall - VIWMA - Simposio

HISTORY OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

May 20, 2011 1st Annual SWANA-Caribbean Chapter Symposium

Creation of the VI Waste Management Authority • Established as autonomous government entity in January 2004; Governing Board in June 2004; Executive Director in May 2005 • Comprehensive Waste Management Program • Operating Divisions - Solid Waste and Waste Water • Support Divisions – Planning, Engineering, Environmental Programs; Communications Management, Compliance Management Environmental Enforcement

Our Vision and Mission VISION The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority will provide territory-wide collection, treatment and disposal services in a manner that will preserve the environment for future generations employing education and transparency of operations to build an agency that will serve as a model throughout the Caribbean.

MISSION The mission of the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority is to protect public health and the natural beauty of the environment for residents and visitors through efficient and fiscally responsible practices.

VIWMA Duties and Responsibilities • Comply with federal and local rules and regulations • Implement an integrated solid waste management program • Upgrade existing sewer system infrastructure and construct waste water treatment facilities • Educate and inform the residents and visitors • Regulate the use of all waste water and solid waste facilities • Establish equitable fees and charges to support solid waste and waste water management services and programs • Participate in the Federal governmental programs, including grants, loans, and cooperative agreements

Division of Solid Waste • Collection, transportation and disposal of 180,000 tons per year of solid and special waste generated in the Territory • Operation and management of the Territory’s landfills and transfer station St. John: Susannaberg Transfer Station St. Thomas: Bovoni Landfill St. Croix: Anguilla Landfill

St. Croix Waste Management Methods • Collection – – – –

Special Waste Diversion/Recycling – HHW Center Curbside collection (4 zones – 13000 homes) 4 consolidated large bin sites and 60 small bins Convenience Center - source separation

• Disposal – Anguilla Landfill – cease operation in January 2012 – Bale & Wrap Transfer Station – operate to final landfill closure – Landfill compliance/closure design and permits approved

• Resource Recovery – Special Waste Diversion/Recycling – Transfer Station/MRF – Shredding, Chipping, and Composting – Debris Management Site – Refuse Derived Fuel Facility and Waste-to-Energy Plant

St. Thomas Waste Management Methods • Collection – Special Waste Diversion and Recycling – HHW and Special Waste – 22 large bin sites and 28 small bins sites – Limited curbside collection (4 zones - 5000 homes)

• Disposal – Bovoni Landfill – in operation since 1979 – Phase I – GCCS/GW construction 98% complete – Phase II - landfill compliance design and permit

• Resource Recovery – Diversion of Recyclables – Landfill Gas to Energy 1.2MW – contract negotiations – Refuse Derived Fuel Facility – transfer RDF to St. Croix via barge

St. John Waste Management Methods • Collection – Special Waste Diversion and Recycling – 12 consolidated large bins & 20 small bins – No curbside collection

• Disposal – Susannaberg Landfill – closed in 1991 – Susannaberg Transfer Station – transfer compacted waste to Bovoni Landfill – Landfill post closure care – storm water and erosion control

Solid Waste Collection Challenges • • • • • • •

Higher per capita waste generation – 10-12 tons per year Uncontrolled drop off sites throughout the islands Illegal dumping of scrap tires, white goods, and bulk waste Limited source reduction and recycling Lack of on-island market for diversion of recyclables Lack of advance disposal fees No assessment of collection and disposal fees

Solid Waste Disposal Challenges • • • • • • •

Bird hazard risk at airport near Anguilla Landfill Lack of adequate daily cover material at Bovoni Landfill Elevation and/or expansion of the both landfills Subterranean landfill fires and hot spots Impacts to adjacent wetlands Funding for Landfill Compliance Long Term Sustainable Solution

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • • • • • •

Administrative Orders – CWA, RCRA, and CAA Administrative Orders – Scrap Metal and Scrap Tires USEPA filed lawsuit – settlement negotiations Landfill Compliance and Closure Design - approvals USVI Recycling Partnership – Recycling Initiatives Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy

Environmental Programs • Environmental Education – Schools and Community groups – Youth Environmental Summer Program – EcoFair, AgFair, Career Fair, Open Houses

• Community Partnerships – – – – –

Community Enrichment Grants (CEG) - $50,000 per island Community Clean Ups Roads and Beaches Triathalon and Public Events Bulk Waste Collection Campaign

Environmental Programs • Special and Household Hazardous Waste Programs – – – – – –

E-waste – Drop Off and Drives Used Oil - Drop Off Fluorescent Bulbs NiCad batteries Lead-acid batteries - success Paints, solvents and chemicals

Compliance Management • Comply with federal and local rules and regulations • Promulgate rules and regulations for solid waste and recycling • Administer waste hauler permit program – Annual permit renewal – Vehicle and Equipment Inspection – Application process and permit fees – Permit and stickers visible and recorded– – Special permit conditions • Special Waste Disposal Permits – one time, short term

Environmental Enforcement • Enforcement of the Rules and Regulations of the VI Code Title 19, Chapter 56 and 40 cfr Part 258 • Police Academy Training • Sworn in Peace Officers • OCAs and Citations • $1,000 minimum • Case Management • Court Appearances

Scrap Tire Management Plan • Disposal Strategy – Off-Island recycling/disposal facilities – Funded by DOI grants

• Legislative Strategy – Legislation for mandatory advance disposal fees – On-island beneficial reuse – green tax incentives

• Program Development Strategy – Public Education Program – Funding – advance disposal fees

Scrap Metal Management Plan • Scrap Metal Removal - off-island disposal – Funded by DOI Grants – Sales percentage share formula based on market price

• Site Restoration – ~14 acres – Assessment and Remediation – Design for scrap metal processing with containment

• Program Development – Advance disposal fees – new vehicles – Vehicle Registration assessment – existing vehicles

Landfill Compliance and Closure Costs • • • • • • •

Extinguish Fire and Reconstruct Slope - $2.2M Gas Collection and Control System - $3.8M Groundwater Monitoring System – incl. above Storm Water, Leachate Systems Final Slope, Cap and Cover – artificial turf Total costs – Anguilla $39M and Bovoni $46M Bale & Wrap Transfer Station - $7.0M

Refuse Derived Fuel Facilities Waste-to-Energy Plant • • • • • •

Two 200 TPD RDF facilities sited near landfills 400 tons per day – minimum guarantee Recovery of metals and glass Beneficial ash reuse or off-island ash disposal CZM, building, and minor source air permits Single 16MW power generation on St. Croix

Thank You

May Adams Cornwall Executive Director U.S. Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority 340-718-4489 macornwall@viwma.org www.viwma.org