2000 Trash Cutter Awards Program Case Studies

City of Santa Fe Springs: Best Construction and Demolition Debris Management Program

• Program Description
• Program Summary
• Costs
• Benefits
• Contact

Program Description

The city of Santa Fe Springs' Golden West Refinery and tank farm property has an oil production and storage history dating from 1925 to the present. In 1942, the U.S. Government purchased a portion of the property for the development of high-octane aviation fuel, and as a fuel storage tank farm and transfer facility for the war effort. In 1983 the refinery was purchased by its current owner, and in 1992 the refinery stopped distilling crude oil. Portions of the tank terminal continued operating until 1997. Since ceasing operations in 1992, the property has deteriorated and become a visual blight in great need for development. In 1998 the city, Golden Springs Development, and the current refinery owner began remediation and deconstruction of the project site which is estimated to continue through 2003.

Program Summary

To transform the 275-acre site into a productive use for the community, the cooperative parties began deconstruction with the highest priority given to reusing and recycling as much of the on-site material as possible. The site hosts a myriad of refinery equipment and a tank farm consisting of approximately 95 aboveground tanks, including materials that are predominately recyclable or reusable.

In 1999 most of the aboveground oil storage tanks were deconstructed and much of the sheet metal was sold as scrap or sent for recycling. The project diverted 8,250 tons of this steel. Each tank had the capacity to hold between 5 million and 7.5 million gallons of oil. The tank-bottom sludge and other residues, approximately 10,940 tons, were also collected and recycled, often to asphalt batch plants to be used as a component of the asphalt.

The refinery also contained massive amounts of steel equipment that was deconstructed and sold for reuse to other refineries or salvaged and recycled. Most of the on-site valves and pumps were sold to salvage companies, which refurbish and recycle this equipment. Approximately 6,275 tons of steel refinery equipment and 7,380 tons of other metals were recycled in 1999.

To reduce refinery redevelopment costs, all of the on-site asphalt and concrete materials were crushed for reuse. Most of the crushed material was reused on site for road base under new streets and as foundation for the new buildings. A total of 9,370 tons of asphalt and concrete were crushed for reuse.

Due to the nature of the refinery redevelopment, much of the soil was contaminated with oils and residual products; however, much of the contaminated soil has been treated and reused on site. In some instances, the soil is thermally treated off site and then returned for reuse. Excluding the weight of oil recovered, approximately 49,462 tons of soil was treated and reused in 1999. About 26,740 barrels of waste oil and residual products found in the tanks or soil were also recycled.

Costs

The commitment to recycle and reuse the deconstructed materials during this project has saved the city, developer, and owner an extensive amount of money. As mentioned before, much of the materials on site were sold or reused which drastically decreased costs in tipping fees. For example, by crushing asphalt and concrete materials and reusing them as road base or foundation, the project partners paid half the cost and saved about $40 a load (14 tons per load) in comparison with the disposal costs at local landfills. Also the soil that was treated and reused would have cost $30 per ton to be landfilled (1999 total - $1,929,018); however, the cost of treating and reusing the soil is about $27 per ton (approximately $600,000 less). Not only did the project save money in landfill costs, money was also saved by not having to purchase all new materials for road base, foundation, and landscape.

The project also saved money by selling most of the refinery equipment and other materials for reuse, instead of paying landfill fees ($40-110 per ton) to dispose of those materials. For example, much of the sheet metal or steel recovered from the tank farm sold for $70 per ton. Also buyers paid $50 per ton for much of the scrap equipment and remaining materials on site. Although fees were incurred with the recycling of some scrap materials, the fees for landfilling the material would have been equal to or higher than the cost of recycling. Overall, the project has been very cost effective in all aspects by implementing the principles of reuse and recycling resulting in the diversion of over 91,677 tons of materials and 26,740 barrels of waste oil.

Benefits

It is anticipated that a total of 25–30 buildings will be constructed on the entire 275-acre site comprising more than five million square feet of new industrial and commercial space. Although 350–450 jobs were lost with the closing of the refinery, it is estimated that the new business center will provide 3,500–5,000 new jobs for the community and surrounding areas.

The Golden Springs Deconstruction Project and Business Center is an excellent example of a public-private partnership in which an inoperable oil refinery and storage tank farm is being developed as a premiere mixed-use business park offering unparalleled amenities while diverting much of the "waste" from local landfills in the process.

For Further Information, Contact:

City of Santa Fe Springs
11710 Telegraph Road
Santa Fe Springs, CA  90670
(562) 868-0511
(562) 868-7112
planning@santafesprings.org