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infoCycling infoCycling, Fall 2006 |
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In this issue:
Easy-to-use tool to characterize construction and demolition wasteConstruction and demolition (C&D) waste has become a larger portion of the waste stream in recent years. Jurisdictions requested a simple, easy-to-use tool to determine whether C&D diversion programs were needed. The California Integrated Waste Management Board created a new tool to assist jurisdictions in characterizing their C&D disposed waste stream. The two-part tool consists of:
If you have any questions regarding this tool, please contact Nancy Carr at (916) 341-6216. Or, contact Tom Rudy at (916) 341-6229. Detailed characterization of residuals at materials recovery facilitiesThis is the second in a series of articles discussing the Targeted Statewide Waste Characterization Study, published by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) in 2006. This complex study includes detailed characterization and quantification of the following distinct waste streams:
In the Summer 2006 Edition of infoCycling, we discussed the C&D portion of the study. In this edition, we discuss the evaluation of MRF residuals. (See the picture of a MRF on this page.) Subsequent editions of infoCycling will contain articles regarding the remaining parts of the study. Select image to view larger version.
Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) The purpose of the MRF residual characterization study was to estimate the quantity and composition of residuals generated from various types of MRFs throughout California. Residuals are the solid waste that remains after processing has removed the recoverable materials. Currently, residuals are sent to a landfill for disposal. This is the first time a MRF residual study of this type has been attempted in California. The information can be used for the evaluation of potential processing improvements, through technology and policy alike, with the goal to further increase diversion at MRFs. The information may also be useful in discussions of MRF residuals as fuel for emerging technology facilities. Four types of MRFs were examined in this study, as described below:
A total of 390 samples were collected from 13 different MRF processing lines. Each sample was sorted into 79 different material types. Data from the samples was aggregated to develop residual composition profiles for each type of MRF and then aggregated again to get the overall composition of MRF residuals statewide. Although the single-stream variety of MRFs are the most prevalent (estimated at 46 percent of all MRFs statewide), mixed waste processing facilities contribute the vast majority of residual tonnage to the disposed waste stream. Mixed waste processing facilities produced an estimated 6,678,200 tons of residuals, or 90.6 percent of the total quantity of statewide residuals for 2005. The other MRF type contributions were single stream at 496,600 tons or 6.7 percent, multi-stream at 35,900 tons or 0.5 percent, and C&D at 161,700 tons or 2.2 percent. The findings from the study are quite interesting. The composition of residuals for each MRF type are as varied as the MRFs themselves. Overall, of the estimated 7,372,456 total tons of residuals from all MRF types combined:
The pie chart and table below provide a summary of the composition of the residuals from all MRF types combined. Select image to view larger version. |
| Material Category | Percent of Overall |
|---|---|
| Paper | 32.6% |
| Glass | 2.3% |
| Metal | 5.7% |
| Electronics | 1.1% |
| Plastic | 17.2% |
| Organic | 26.1% |
| Construction and Demolition | 13.4% |
| Household Hazardous Waste | 0.4% |
| Special Waste | 0.6% |
| Mixed Residue | 0.6% |
For more information on the Targeted Statewide Waste Characterization Study: Characterization and Quantification of Residuals from Materials Recovery Facilities, contact Nancy Carr at (916) 341-6216. Or, contact Tom Rudy at (916) 341-6229.
The report, which contains similar composition charts and tabulated data for each type of MRF, as well as overall for all MRF types combined, can be found in the CIWMB publication catalog.
The electronic annual report (EAR) released by the California Integrated
Waste Management Board (CIWMB) on September 13, 2006, includes
a section addressing waste management at large venue facilities and large
events (large venues and events).
Large venues include facilities such as stadiums, convention centers, movie theaters, airports, and amusement parks. Examples of large events include food or cultural festivals, golf tournaments or other sporting events, and flea markets. For more information on what is considered a large venue or event, see the web page Definitions: FAQs About AB 2176.
Each jurisdiction is required by statute to report to the CIWMB information about waste diversion programs at the top 10 percent of large venues and events located within their jurisdictional boundaries. The top 10 percent is based upon the amounts of waste generated. The information asked in the EAR about large venues and events includes:
To assist jurisdictions in collecting this information from large venues and
events, the CIWMB is providing a data collection sheet that jurisdictions
may choose to provide to large venues and events to fill out. The data
collection sheet is a basic version of the large venues and events portion
of the EAR.
Once a jurisdiction receives the completed data sheet, it should have all
the information required to complete the large venues and events section of
the EAR for that venue or event.
A letter to accompany the data collection sheet is also available that explains the statutory requirements and provides some detail to assist large venues staff and event coordinators in completing the form. The data collection sheet and the accompanying letter can be found on the CIWMB News and Events web page.
CIWMB staff is often asked by jurisdictions and large venue and event waste reduction coordinators what other jurisdictions and large venues and events are doing to promote waste reduction. To address this, the CIWMB will be adding networking web pages to their Waste Reduction at Large Venue Facilities and Large Events website in the near future.
The CIWMB is looking for links to large venues and events web pages with waste reduction information developed by cities and counties as well as contact information for large venues and events with waste diversion programs in place. Please forward any relevant information to Debra Kustic.
If you have questions regarding large venues and events waste diversion programs, contact Debra Kustic at (916) 341-6206. See the Mandates web page for information regarding mandates relating to large venues and events waste diversion.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) is funding a project to increase the statewide use of compost and mulch by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Participants include the CIWMB, Caltrans, University of California Riverside Extension, Association of Compost Producers, United States Composting Council, erosion control professionals, and Soil Control Laboratories.
Caltrans identified several compost and mulch use categories. Compost and mulch use categories include:
The Caltrans Landscape Architecture Program, in partnership with the CIWMB, recently completed the new compost and mulch use specifications and is in the process of receiving internal and external approvals.
The CIWMB anticipates that Caltrans will officially adopt the specifications in December 2006. Many local government public works departments rely on Caltrans to develop and test specifications. The local public works departments are expected to adopt Caltrans compost and mulch use specifications, resulting in increased local diversion of organics.
Compost
Caltrans uses compost statewide in design and maintenance projects, primarily in hydroseeding for erosion control. In a recent document titled “Compost Use On State Highway Applications,” the Composting Council Research and Education Foundation and United States Composting Council estimated that Caltrans has a potential market for compost of at least 3,350,000 cubic yards and as much as 6,725,000 cubic yards.
These figures are based on annual applications of one to two inches of material on all landscaped acreage (for example, land that Caltrans has prepared design plans for) but do not include additional acreage under Caltrans authority. However, cost barriers may prevent Caltrans from using this much material. The CIWMB believes a more realistic goal would be to increase Caltrans’ procurement of compost by hundreds of thousands of cubic yards on an annual basis.
Mulch
Caltrans uses mulch throughout California, applying coarse organic materials to highway roadsides to prevent erosion and suppress weed growth. Mulch is used to cover ground between existing container-sized plants. Mulch biodegrades slowly and typically only requires reapplication every 2–3 years.
Diversion resulting from the Caltrans project cannot be determined until after Caltrans begins implementing new specifications. Caltrans’ use of compost and mulch will be measured during 2007 and succeeding years to measure the increase in procurement of compost and mulch.
The CIWMB, in partnership with the Caltrans Headquarters Landscape Architecture Program, sponsored “Improving Vegetation Establishment and Erosion Control with Compost-Based Specifications” workshops in the summer and fall of 2006. The goal of the workshops was to increase Caltrans procurement of compost and mulch for roadside applications.
A series of five workshops were held across California to introduce the new compost and mulch use specifications to:
Workshops were held in Los Angeles on August 22, in San Diego on August 24, in Oakland on September 26, in Fresno on September 28, and in Sacramento on October 11, 2006.
What did these workshops provide?
In addition to rolling out a number of innovative methods of improving vegetation establishment and erosion control, these workshops provided designers with the opportunity to comment, suggest revisions, and ask questions of a diverse team of experts regarding the new Caltrans compost and mulch use specifications and related issues.
What topics were discussed at the workshops?
Topics presented at the workshops included:
These workshops are expected to result in increased use of compost and mulch by Caltrans and local road departments for erosion control, filtration of stormwater runoff, and other applications.
Look for the new Caltrans compost and mulch use specifications and the Compost Use for Landscape and Environmental Enhancement manual on the CIWMB Organics Materials Management website in early 2007. Contact Brian Larimore at (916) 341-6579 if you have questions.
Last updated: December 28, 2007
