COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: 2014
Louisa Regional Solid Waste Agency
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I: Planning Area Changes Permanent Changes in the Planning Area ____________________________________________ 4
Section II: Evidence of Cooperation Resolutions ____________________________________________________________________ 4 Letter of Cooperation ____________________________________________________________ 4 Copies of Contracts and 28E Agreements That Have Changed ____________________________ 4
Section III: Public Participation Public Input Strategies ___________________________________________________________ 5 Public Hearings/Plan Development _________________________________________________ 5 Public Review Meeting ___________________________________________________________ 5
Section IV: Baseline Waste Stream Report Waste Stream Report ____________________________________________________________ 6
Section V: Changes in Area Demographics Summary of Changes ____________________________________________________________ 7
Section VI: Waste Composition Changes in Waste Generation _____________________________________________________ 8 Changes in Waste Composition ____________________________________________________ 9 Effects of Anticipated Planning Area Modifications ___________________________________ 10
Section VII: Existing I.S.W.M.S Description Material Specifc Initiatives _______________________________________________________ 10 New Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs ______________________________________ 13
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Section VIII: Evaluation of Progress Towards Goals Existing Programs ______________________________________________________________ 15
Section IX: Analysis of Solid Waste Alternatives Analysis of Solid Waste Alternatives _______________________________________________ 17
Section X: Implementation Timeline Implementation Timeline ________________________________________________________ 17
Appendices Appendix A ___________________________________________________________________ 26 Appendix B ___________________________________________________________________ 28 Appendix C ___________________________________________________________________ 37 Appendix D ___________________________________________________________________ 39 Appendix E ___________________________________________________________________ 39
This update is a statutory requirement, pursuant to Iowa code sections 455.304 and 455D.7 and solid waste comprehensive planning requirements outlined in IAC 567 – Chapter 101. This document is formatted according to the Sample Outline provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (2014).
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Louisa Regional Solid Waste Agency Comprehensive Plan Update September 2014
I.
PLANNING AREA CHANGES
1.1
Permanent Changes in the Planning Area The Planning Area includes all cities in Louisa County, with the exception of Morning Sun, and the unincorporated area in Louisa County. No permanent changes have occurred to the planning area since the 2009 plan update. The same communities and businesses continue to utilize the transfer station within the planning area. The Louisa County Landfill was closed in 1993. Recycling is hauled to Muscatine, Iowa, and landfill waste is hauled to Millennium Waste in Milan, IL.
II.
EVIDENCE OF COOPERATION
2.1
Resolutions All cities which utilize the regions transfer station are members of the 28E Agreement. The resolution officially adopting this comprehensive plan can found in Appendix D.
2.2
Letter of Cooperation There are no private sanitary disposal projects participating in the comprehensive plan update.
2.3
Lists of Contracts and 28E Agreements that have changed The 28E agreement has not changed since the last plan update. The 2002 Comprehensive Plan Update includes a copy of the original 28E agreement, signed in 1972.
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III.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
3.1
Public Input Strategies The public can provide input by contacting their local elected officials or by contacting LRSWA directly. The address and phone number for the Louisa County Transfer Station are listed on Louisa County’s webpage (www.louisacountyiowa.com). The public is also welcome at LRSWA board meetings, held at the Transfer Station in Wapello on the third Tuesday of each quarter at 5:30pm.
3.2
Public Hearing/Meeting Held for Plan Development Public meetings were held on XX, 2014 and xx, 2014 to discuss the plan update.
3.3
Public Review Meetings A public meeting was held on XX, 2014 and gave local citizens an opportunity to review the plan and submit comments prior to adoption of the plan.
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IV.
BASELINE WASTE STREAM REPORT
4.1
Baseline Waste Stream Report The table below was completed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
BASE-YEAR ADJUSTMENT METHOD REPORT TABLE NAME OF PLANNING AREA:
Louisa County Regional Solid Waste Agency
CURRENT YEAR (CY): BASE YEAR:
FY2013 FY1988
FACTORS
DATA
TIME-PERIOD / SOURCE
STEP 1: Basic Information 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Base Year Residential Waste Disposal Base Year Commercial/Industrial Waste Disposal Base Year Total Waste Disposal CY Waste Disposal Base Year Population CY Population Base Year Employment CY Employment Base Year Taxable Sales CY Taxable Sales Base Year Consumer Price Index CY Consumer Price Index
2,420.80 3,631.20 6,052.00 6,167.03 10,820 10,448 2,766.64 3,361.31 $24,498,088 $27,762,207 115.8417 231.3523
STEP 2: CY Taxable Sales Corrected for Inflation 13 Inflation Correction Factor 14 CY Corrected Taxable Sales
0.5007155 $13,900,967
STEP 3: Base Year and Current Year Ratios 15 Population Ratio (PR) 16 Employment Ratio (ER) 17 Taxable Sales Ratio (TR)
0.9656192 1.2149422 0.5674307
STEP 4: Adjustment Factors 18 Base Year Commercial/Industrial Adjustment Factor 19 Base Year Residential Adjustment Factor
0.8911864 0.9284028
STEP 5: Adjusted Base Year Disposal Tonnages 20 Base Year Adjusted Residential Waste Disposal 21 Base Year Adjusted Commercial/Industrial Waste Disposal 22 Base Year Adjusted Total Waste Disposal
2,247 3,236 5,484
STEP 6: Goal Progress and Reduction Percentage Results 23 24 25 26 27 28
CY Waste Disposal (from line #4) Maximum Allowable Disposal to Attain 25 Percent Goal Actual Tonnage Over (or Under) 25 Percent Goal Maximum Allowable Disposal to Attain 50 Percent Goal Actual Tonnage Over (or Under) 50 Percent Goal CURRENT DISPOSAL REDUCTION (PERCENTAGE)
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6,167 4,113 2,054 2,742 3,425 -12.46%
From last approved plan From last approved plan From last approved plan FY2013 Tonnage Fee Schedule From last approved plan FY2012 Census Estimate From last approved Plan FY2013 Place of work From last approved Plan FY2013, DRF From last approved Plan FY2013 - CPI-U
V.
CHANGES IN AREA DEMOGRAPHICS
5.1
Changes in Area Demographics Total population in the planning area decreased by 517 residents (-4.7%) between 2006 and 2012, according to US Census estimates. The estimated number of employed planning area residents also decreased since the previous comprehensive plan update, declining 7.6% between FY2007 and FY2013. Taxable sales remain mostly unchanged. No significant changes in the industry sector have occurred since the previous plan update. Population, employment, and taxable sales tables shown below provide additional detail and were compiled and provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Planning Area Population, FY2006 and FY2012* % Change 2006 2012 Estimated Planning Area Population
10,965
10,448
Source: US Census 2012 *Louisa County population minus Morning Sun population
Louisa County Employment Data, FY2013 Date # Employed Jul-12
3,580
Aug-12
3,550
Sep-12
3,610
Oct-12
3,630
Nov-12
3,700
Dec-12
3,720
Jan-13
3,570
Feb-13
3,580
Mar-13
3,590
Apr-13
3,630
May-13
3,640
Jun-13
3,740
Monthly Average Monthly Average in Planning Area*
3,628 3,361
Source: Iowa Workforce Development, Benchmark 3/13 *Equals Louisa Co # employed x % of Louisa Co population in Planning Area
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-4.7%
Planning Area # Employed, FY2007 and FY2013 % Change FY2007 FY2013 Monthly Average
3,638
3,361
-7.6%
Planning Area Taxable Sales, FY2013* July-Sept Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun 2012 2012 2013 2013 Taxable Sales ($)
$7,049,900
$7,104,554
$6,215,592
$7,392,161
FY2013 $27,762,207
Source: Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance, Quarterly Retail Sales Tax and Use Report *Louisa County taxable sales minus Morning Sun taxable sales
Planning Area Taxable Sales, FY2007 and FY2013 % Change FY2007 FY2013 Taxable Sales ($)
$27,805,138
$27,762,207
VI.
WASTE COMPOSITION & GENERATION
6.1
Changes in Waste Generation since the 2009 Plan Update
-0.2%
The “Total Waste Generation” table below illustrates that total waste has been approximately 6,000 tons each fiscal year, with one exception in FY2009. The flood of 2008 is likely responsible for the significant increase in regular waste collected in FY2009 (30% more waste than FY2012). Since then, total regular waste collected has dropped below pre-flood totals.
FISCAL YEAR 2007
Total Waste Generation (tons), FY2007 - FY2013 CONSTRUCTION HOUSEHOLD RECYCLED TOTAL & DEMOLITION WASTE MATERIAL (TONS) WASTE 5401.65 530.84 148.14 6080.63
TAKEN TO LANDFILL (TONS) 5932.49
2008
5033.01
666.61
129.66
5829.28
5699.62
2009
7871.26
600.13
111.94
8583.33
8471.39
2010
4818.97
1156.12
79.93
6055.02
5975.09
2011
4523.57
1340.2
124.96
5988.73
5863.77
2012
4494.07
1392.96
125.7
6012.73
5887.03
2013
4360.44
1261.14
N/A
N/A
5621.58
Source: LRSWA
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6.2
Changes in Waste Composition since the 2009 Plan Update Beginning in FY2013, recycling tonnage is no longer tracked. The transfer station operator delivers recycling as needed to Muscatine Carton. The operator is paid by the load. Available data prior to this change shows a slight increase in the proportion of waste being recycled (less than 1%) since the last plan. Construction and demolition waste has become a significantly larger proportion of total waste generation, increasing from 8.73% in FY2007 to 23.17% in FY2013.
FISCAL YEAR 2007
Waste Composition, FY2007 - FY2013 HOUSEHOLD CONSTRUCTION & WASTE DEMOLITION WASTE % % 88.83 8.73
RECYCLED MATERIAL % 2.44
2008
86.34
11.44
2.22
2009
91.70
6.99
1.30
2010
79.59
19.09
1.32
2011
75.53
22.38
2.09
2012
74.74
23.17
2.09
2013
N/A
N/A
N/A
A new e-waste program, beginning in January 2012, has increased opportunities to divert recyclable materials from the landfill. During calendar year 2012, 31,513 pounds of e-waste was collected. Diverted materials since the program started include:
61 computer monitors
289 televisions
3422 lbs of other e-waste
Glass is no longer collected as recyclable material. Household hazardous materials can now be taken to the Muscatine transfer station for disposal, at no cost to the Louisa County resident. LRSWA is billed once annually at a rate of $35 per household utilizing the service. The program has been underutilized, with only 20 uses in the four year period since it has been in effect although annual usage has increase in recent years. Muscatine Transfer Station HHM usage, FY2011 - FY2014 Fiscal Year
# Households using Service
2011
6
2012
0
2013
10
2014
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The number of tires collected has generally increased since FY2007, while the number of appliances collected has trended downward.
Collected Tires and Appliances, FY2007 - FY2013 TIRES APPLIANCES FISCAL YEAR # COLLECTED # COLLECTED
6.3
2007
326
554
2008
304
438
2009
225
151
2010
455
424
2011
428
385
2012
658
323
2013
581
272
Effects of Anticipated LRSWA Modifications Modifications to waste collection since the 2009 comprehensive plan update (specifically, the HHW collection program, e-waste collection, and discontinuing collection of glass recyclables) have had minimal effects on generation and composition. Future effects are difficult to anticipate, but the modifications will likely have slightly more impact as residents become educated and aware of the changes.
VII.
EXISTING I.S.W.M.S. DESCRIPTION
7.10
Material Specific Initiatives LRSWA adheres to state and local governments mandates regarding the disposal and handling of certain materials. These efforts are reflected in the agency’s policies and waste management procedures. Louisa County is a rural area, and word-of-mouth largely educates residents about local regarding proper use and handling of waste in their local areas. Most communities in the planning area provide information to their residents through websites, newsletters, welcome packets, and other civic education efforts. The primary source of specific information available to the public can be found on the Louisa County website (www.louisacountyiowa.org). Recycling policies for cities and rural households is available on the website. LRSWA contracted with the Louisa County Conservation Board from 2008-2010 to engage the public through articles in local publications, press releases, flyers, booths at large public events,
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newsletters, etc. Outside links and resources are also often cited and provide additional information to the public. Specific efforts to engage the public in the proper use of specific materials are described in more detail below.
What strategies, efforts, and programs increase public awareness about proper recycling and disposal options for motor oil and lead acid batteries? The public can dispose of oil and batteries at the LRSWA transfer station in Wapello. Disposal requires checking-in with a transfer station employee, who handles the waste material. Oil is deposited into storage tank, which is otherwise locked so depositors may not input oil containers themselves. The current fees for disposal of auto batteries, antifreeze, and motor oil are:
Auto Batteries: $1.00/each Antifreeze: $1.00/gallon Motor Oil: $0.25/gallon
Disposal fees and the oil deposit procedure are posted on the Louisa County website.
What strategies, efforts, and programs encourage tire stewardship and proper tire recycling and disposal? Tires are accepted at the LRSWA Transfer Station. Disposal fees depend upon the size/type of being recycled, as indicated on the Louisa County website. Fees are:
Up to 17" car tires: $3.00/each 18" to 24.5" truck tires: $10.00/each Tractor & implement tires: $25.00/each Tires with rims: municipal solid waste rate
What strategies, efforts, and programs encourage residents to dispose of household appliance properly? Appliances are accepted at the LRSWA Transfer Station. Disposal fee is $12/appliance, as indicated on the Louisa County website and other publications.
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What strategies, efforts, and programs encourage backyard composting and proper management of yard waste? The Louisa County transfer station does not accept yard waste. Some communities within the planning area, however, do have local yard waste collection sites. Published articles have encouraged backyard composting, and provide basic information about compostable materials and how to start a compost pile.
What strategies, efforts, and programs encourage residents to properly manage household hazardous waste? The Louisa County transfer station does not accept household hazardous waste, but does contract for the service with the Muscatine Transfer Station. Residents in the planning area can take materials to the Muscatine Transfer Station at no cost. LRSWA is billed $35 for each household that uses the service. As stated in the previous plan update, LRSWA’s hazardous waste arrangement with the Muscatine Transfer Station had relatively high coverage in local publications, in order to educate residents about the program. The service continues to be identified in marketing material, and specific information can be found on the Louisa County website. One approach to management of household hazardous waste is to reduce usage. News articles funded by LRSWA have encouraged the use of alternatives to potentially harmful household cleaning products. The information provides specific examples of homemade solutions for safer, cheaper cleaning products. For example, the article suggests a vinegar and water alternative to glass cleaner. Fewer chemicals in the home generates less waste overall. Paint can be disposed of in the trash only if it has been dried out. Reuse of usable paint (e.g. giving it to a friend) is encouraged through publications. If that is not possible, paint drying and disposal information is also explained.
What strategies, efforts, and programs provide for the separation of glass, paper, plastic and metal? In Louisa County, residents can recycle magazines, newspapers, office paper, plastics and almost all metals. Glass collection has been recently discontinued. Non-recyclable exceptions are mentioned in publications, as identified below.
Sensitized paper such as carbon paper or blue prints, photo graphs, film, or metal embossed paper is not recyclable.
Cardboard with a water-proof coating, such as wax, is not recyclable.
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Cardboard that has grease, oil or food residue should not be recycled.
Plastic shopping bags are not recyclable in Louisa County, but many stores in Muscatine and Des Moines counties do take them back for recycling.
Curbside recycling is available to many residents, as a result of contracted services between local communities and a private collection companies. LRSWA provides free collection bins to residents eligible for curb-side pickup. Residents can also drop off recyclable materials, at no charge, in separated bins at the transfer station. The environmental, financial, and social benefits of recycling are touted often, particularly online and in published articles. Published articles have also encouraged source reduction, or simply that residents minimize waste by consuming fewer goods. The articles also explain that purchasing second-hand goods and choosing goods that require less packaging helps the environment. The articles are often timed to coincide with high-waste production events, such as holidays.
7.11 New Waste Reduction and Recycling Programs Since the last comprehensive plan update, LRSWA has implemented one new waste management program to handle electronic waste, or “e-waste”. The LRSWA program responds to new landfill regulation in Illinois, where LRSWA trash is transferred. The new regulation, effective January 1, 2012, bans e-waste from Illinois landfills and incinerators. The program allows electronics recyclers to recover trace amounts of valuable metals, and also prevents toxic chemicals from entering the landfill. Prior to the e-waste collection program, residents were encouraged to take electronic waste to Drake Hardware & Software in Burlington, Iowa. That company no longer accepts e-waste. The simple definition for e-waste is “anything with a cathode tube and circuit board.” Home appliances, however are not considered e-waste. The list below shows materials defined as ewaste by the Illinois EPA:
Televisions Monitors Printers Computers ( laptop, notebook, netbook, tablet, desktop ) Electronic Keyboards Facsimile Machines Videocassette Recorders Portable Digital Music Players Digital Video Disc Players Video Game Consoles Small Scale Servers
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Scanners Electronic Mice Digital Converter Boxes Cable Receivers Satellite Receivers Digital Video Disc Recorders
E-waste can be dropped off at the Louisa County Transfer Station. LRSWA e-waste disposal fees depend upon the type and/or size of item, and are:
$2.00 per item without a screen $5.00 per item with screens 18 inches or smaller (measured diagonally) $10.00 per item with screens larger than 18 inches (measured diagonally)
Additionally, large commercial or business items will cost $0.30 per pound, with a minimum charge of $15 per load. Current fees reflect an increase in cost for disposal effective February, 2013. The increases were deemed necessary in order to offset the Agency’s costs for transferring the waste to area electronics recyclers. The target audience includes area residents, businesses and industries, local governments, public institutions, and any other entity producing electronic waste. The LRSWA secretary-treasurer is responsible for program oversight. Local media has reported on the program and most communities in the planning area provide information to their residents through websites, newsletters, welcome packets, and other civic education efforts. The primary source of specific information available to the public can be found on the Louisa County website. Impact over the next two planning cycles is not easily discernible. Impact will be more clear as more data becomes available, but LRSWA anticipates that the program will increasingly reduce toxic chemicals entering the landfill, and will produce increasingly higher amounts of reusable materials, particularly because as the cost of electronic goods decreases. Another driving force that will contribute to the overall impact is the rapidly-changing technology that makes existing electronics quickly outdated and therefore more likely to become waste. The program does not directly promote source reduction, but does follow the outlined strategies described in the state’s “hierarchy of waste management”, specifically including material reuse, recycling, and disposal.
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VIII.
EVALUATION OF PROGRESS TOWARD GOALS
This section provides an evaluation of progress toward meeting the state’s waste volume reduction and recycling goals. The evaluation consists of an analysis of the effectiveness of existing programs, individually and in aggregate, including a discussion of opportunities and need for improvement, modification or expansion. Section IV of this plan shows the steps involved for calculating the current disposal reduction based on the FY1988 adjusted total waste disposal. According to the calculations, current waste tonnage is 12.46% higher than the base year (adjusted), whereas the state goals call for a 25% reduction. Analysis of Existing Programs SEIRPC staff, under the direction LRSWA and on behalf of its members, analyzed existing programs using available data and stakeholder interviews. Waste management and diversion programs include curbside and on-site trash collection, curbside and on-site recycling, household hazardous waste disposal, disposal of various specific materials as described in Section VII of this plan, and public outreach efforts. In general, the availability and quality of programs in the Planning Area adequately serve the basic needs of residents. LRSWA programs provide residents with a variety of ways and opportunities to properly handle waste. However, many opportunities exist for achieving the state’s waste reduction goals. In particular, program use and public education efforts can be significantly improved. Construction and demolition waste generation can be a specific area of focus. Notable strengths, weakness, and opportunities of existing programs and efforts are described below: STRENGTHS
LRSWA maintains good relationships and partnerships with local governments.
Recent upgrades to the transfer station facilities, including the purchase of a new recycling collection trailer, provide a better experience for users.
Installation of security cameras and monitor at transfer station help prevent vandalism and improper use of the facilities.
Wayfinding has improved with new directional signs to transfer station placed on US Highway 61 and County Road G62
Improvements to the fee structure of the e-waste program eliminated the financial losses to the agency under the previous fee structure.
The environmental education display booth at the Louisa County Fair gave high visibility for LRSWA. Free reusable shopping bags were also given to fair goers.
LRSWA representatives have attended conferences to learn best practice techniques.
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WEAKNESSES
Absence of an executive director or recycling coordinator leaves a gap in leadership and program implementation capabilities
Under the current system, the LRSWA “tipping fee” revenue stream is linked to waste generation (i.e. more waste = more revenue), creating disincentive for waste reduction and diversion.
Construction and demolition waste has been increasing significantly in recent years.
Transfer station recycling containers are sometimes full for extended periods of time.
Recycling and material specific program usage is relatively low.
Recyclable glass is no longer collected.
A “garbage truck” vehicle is used for curb-side recycling and confuses some residents.
The Agency no longer collects data for recycling tonnage.
Public education and engagement efforts are sporadic.
OPPORTUNITIES
IX.
Construction and Demolition waste has increased dramatically in recent years and should be a specific area of focus in order to reduce and divert waste from the landfill.
Containers can be better managed to generally have sufficient room for users to deposit their recyclable materials.
LRSWA can build upon past successes for special events, such as “Hazchem Days” and the “Project Aware Campaign”.
Grants and outside funding sources are available to help achieve state waste reduction goals and generally improve services.
Continue to work with SEIRPC or similar organizations for grant writing and planning services.
ANALYSIS OF SOLID WASTE ALTERNATIVES
This section provides an analysis of the impact of alternative solid waste management methods not currently employed, but being considered within the planning area. Limited resources, particularly with regards to funding and staffing, are obstacles to the development and implementation of new programs. LRSWA currently employs just one full-time staff member, who serves as both treasurer and secretary. The primary driving force behind LRSWA waste management efforts is compliance with state and federal regulations. LRSWA will continue to implement waste alternatives as necessary. No new programs are otherwise currently being considered.
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X.
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
This section describes the specific plan and schedule for implementation of LRWSA planned activities. Items addressed include:
Proposed activities and locations Responsible organizations Implementation milestones Public education strategies Anticipated impact on the waste stream and diversion
YEARS 1 – 5 (2014-2019) Year 1:
Compile a list of grant providers and funding sources.
Year 2:
Develop system for data collection and record-keeping for recyclable materials and all other waste. This will be done as necessary by the LRSWA secretary/treasurer, unless other arrangements are made. LRSWA can enter into contractual agreements with SEIRPC or similar organizations for this service.
Design and develop a simple webpage detailing general information about LRSWA services and providing links to outside resources. This will be done as necessary by the LRSWA secretary/treasurer, unless other arrangements are made. LRSWA can enter into contractual agreements with SEIRPC or similar organizations for this service. Updates and maintenance of the site would be the responsibility of LRSWA. The website would be a valuable resource for residents regarding proper handling and disposal of waste, and could provide opportunities for public input.
Investigate the possibility and financial benefits of diverting waste brought to the transfer station from the Millennium Waste landfill.
Ongoing:
Seek outside funding for improvements projects and waste diversion. This will be done as necessary by the LRSWA secretary/treasurer, unless other arrangements are made. LRSWA can enter into contractual agreements with SEIRPC or similar organizations for this service.
Investigate the possibility of hiring an executive director / recycling coordinator to meet state and federal requirements, meet state waste reduction goals, engage the public, and handle dayto-day activities. This activity depends upon adequate funding, which can be acquired through
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fees, grants, membership dues, etc. The Board of Directors is responsible for setting policies and hiring employees.
Target local schools Reduce amount of recyclable materials in rural burn piles Glass recyclables Single stream for rural residents?
YEARS 6 – 10 (2019-2024)
Continue waste management programming and implementation.
Identify and implement new material specific initiatives.
Create strategic plan in anticipation of ending of the 30-year closure process and loss of corresponding revenue.
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Appendix A: Public Notifications Appendix B: Public Meeting Agendas, Minutes, Sign-Ins Appendix C: Resolution Adopting Plan Appendix D: Louisa County Website Screenshots Appendix E: Online Verification Signature Form
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http://www.louisacountyiowa.org/recycle/station.html
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http://www.louisacountyiowa.org/recycle/WhyRecycle.html
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http://www.louisacountyiowa.org/recycle/HHM.html
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http://www.louisacountyiowa.org/recycle/OilProcedure.html
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