A&A Layers
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Traffic, Parking and Circulation
Buildings and Infrastructure
Vegetation, Wildlife, Aesthetics, and Viewshed
Landform, Soil and Water
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Strengths
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Weaknesses
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Analysis and Assessment
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Hours of Operation
Open to the public:
Wednesday and Saturday, 7am-5pm (except holidays); Burn pile: Saturdays only
Other operating hours:
Mondays for 2 hours: Mixed Solid Waste hauling
Once every 3 dump days: Singe Stream Recycling hauling
3-4 times/month: Construction and Demolition Debris hauling
1 time/month: Scrap metal hauling
3 times/year: Tires removed
Climate - History of use - Geographical information
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SWOT Analysis
Recycling: Costs, revenues, and net (1990-2014)
Single Stream vs. Source Separated in Andover
NRRA data from Jan. 1-July 29, 2014
| Estimated Source Separated Program 2014 | Actual Single Stream Program YTD 2014 | |
| Total Revenue/Cost: | $6,220 | ($2,741) |
| Transportation costs ($40/ton): | ($4,400) | ($7,200) |
| Net Revenue/Cost: | $1,820 | ($9,941) |
| Revenue/Cost per ton | $16.55/ton | ($90.38)/ton |
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MSW and Recycling Costs
This first graph shows a comparison between mixed solid waste (MSW)--general household garbage--and the net costs of recycling (which can be seen in more detail in the graph below). Tipping and hauling fees have increased dramatically at the Concord Regional Solid Waste/Resource Recovery Cooperative Incinerator in Penacook, NH--a Waste to Energy (WTE) plant--as have our pounds-per-person of MSW generated in Andover. Meanwhile, recycling revenues grew as Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) developed their technologies and marketability of recyclables.* In 2013, however, Andover switched from "source separated" recycling (where items sorted into glass, plastic, fibers, aluminum, tin…) to single stream recycling (SSR) or "zero-sort" as it is sometimes called. Due to a growing number of towns switching to single stream, MRFs have been overloaded with material and have begun charging for pickup and sorting services. There is no longer revenue from the Town's recyclables. However, we are seeing a decrease in tonnage of MSW most likely due to the ease of recycling. According to T.S. attendant Reggie Roy, we have jumped from 50% recycling compliance to 67%. This has negative effects financially. According to Andover's NRRA representative Marilyn Weir, the Town is now spending $90/ton of SSR whereas $16/ton of revenue could have been made had we stayed source separated. The Town spends $68/ton of MSW which means it is fiscally more responsible to throw recyclables in the garbage.** Click here to see the comparison of source separated and single stream recycling (SSR) costs. The comparison of Andover's SSR and source-separated costs/revenues can be seen below the graph to the right.
*this is also due to joining the Northeast Resource Recovery Association. **data from Annual Town Reports and NRRA year-to-date Activity Reports |
Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D)
Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D) is one of the Transfer Station's biggest annual expenses. Andover has many construction businesses and offers disposal with the following fees:
In-town Material: $70/yd
Out-of-Town Material: $80/yd
8ft Truck bed:
Full: $121
3/4 Full: $96
1/2 Full: $60.50
1/4 Full: $30.25
6ft Truck bed:
Full: $82.50
3/4 Full: $61.86
1/2 Full: $41.25
According to the T.S. attendants, it is difficult to be consistent when charging for this service and there are frequent complaints from townspeople. The Town has been in the negatives four (4) times and has come within $1,000 of breaking even eight (8) times out of twenty-three (23) years. In 2014, the Town spent $5,385 due to incommensurate fees.
Another issue is tonnage. With no covers for containers, rain and snow add weight that the Town pays for. The containers fit an average of 3-4 tons of C&D, whereas Transfer Stations with backhoes or other crushing equipment can fit 10-12 tons. Hauling costs are at $185/container with an additional $79/ton hauled. This amounts to approximately $420-500/haul. In 2014, we shipped out 41 containers of C&D, with more loads in the summer months (up to 6/month, averaging 3.4/month). This amounts to an average of $1500-$1700/month spent on C&D.
Much of the material being thrown in the containers is still usable--doors, windows, dimensional lumber, et cetera. As C&D contains materials harmful to human health and the environment (i.e. asbestos, PCBs, lead paint, and chemicals found in wood treatment and glues)*, there are serious ecological implications that should be considered in the redesign.
*from NHDES Best Management Practices for NH Solid Waste Facilities Manual
Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D): Costs, revenues, and net (1992-2014)
Click here to see the interactive chart.
Commentary
The Analysis and Assessment (A&A) process was an incredibly challenging and exciting one. I digested much information in two short months and felt that every angle I explored or piece I connected opened door after door. Fractal growth and connectivity were key elements in this information web. Understanding the psychology, mechanics, functions, appearance, habits, money, markets, regulations, and history became a game of unending questions and varying answers. This was by far the most interesting part of the project, though I still feel as though I have only a small fraction of the puzzle.