Goal: to create a model Waste Transfer Station that exemplifies a creative economic structure, environmental mitigation, and communal health and support.
This will be achieved through:
- efficient waste handling*
- equipment and building durability*
- simple operating scheme*
- flexibility to modify facility*
- vegetative buffers
- earth works for storm-water runoff filtration
- improved employee facilities (bathroom, water, changing room...)
- alternative energy production
- community collaboration and gathering opportunities
- "reduce-reuse-recycle" modus operandi
- Mixed Solid Waste reduction
- education and public relations
- beautiful and aesthetic improvements
*Source: Waste Transfer Stations: A Manual for Decision-Making.United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), 2002.
Draft design
(Click on the image in order to see larger version)
Final Design
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The final design includes:
- dual stream recycling next to the office so the attendant can watch both Mixed Solid Waste (MSW) and recycling
- a building surplus and Swap Shop storage building
- a backhoe for moving containers and crushing C&D
- paved areas for easier plowing
- vegetated swales for beautification and runoff water quality
- PV solar panels for energy production on the Recycling Building and Attendants Office
- a biomass plant and/or gassier to turn brush and wood into heat/electricity to offset operating expenses
- a coffee shop run by volunteer groups (i.e. Andover Service Club, Boy Scouts, etc.) for socializing and fundraising
- organics compost for yard waste and food scraps, potentially sold to townspeople for home gardens and used onsite at the Transfer Station
- a scrap metal container east of the Recycling Building in order to monitor potential contaminants
- truck scales west of the Recycling Building
- one Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D) container south of the Recycling Building
- separate hours for "back-in" tipping of MSW and commercial dumping
- rain water catchment for fire extinguishing
- a well for drinking water and bathroom facilities
Swap Shop and Building Surplus
Because of the high expenditures for Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D)--due to many construction businesses in town--and the ample requests for a permanent Swap Shop building, a pole barn of sorts would be a wise investment. Currently, townspeople pay a fee to drop off good quality items and leave them "top side" of the C&D container for others to take home. At the end of the day, they are thrown into the dumpster. Additionally, good quality lumber, doors, and building supplies are thrown into the containers.
We fit an average 3-4 tons of C&D in the container before being hauled, whereas Transfer Stations with a backhoe are able to crush the debris and fir 10-12 tons. This is a significant difference when considering the $185 hauling charge for each container removed. The Town spent $13,000 in tipping fees in 2014 and an additional $7,300 in hauling charges. If we could divert the materials that are still of value into a Swap Shop/Building Surplus storage space, we could accomplish 3 things:
- lessen the Town's impact on the environment
- reduce our tipping and hauling costs
- provide resources for townspeople
The building I have designed measures 46' x 24' with a shed roof to slough snow to the north side. The open face is 14.5' in the case that large pieces of equipment need to be stored under cover. Bales of plastic bottles measuring 3'x3'x4' are stacked as bricks for the three structural walls. A metal roof covers the shed and allows light in where gaps exist. These can be filled in with glass bottles and cob. The foundation is a combination of tires for structure and crushed glass for drainage.* Garage doors could be added to fully enclose and secure the building.
Shelving would help organize books, toys, and household items. An open bay would store couches, furniture, building supplies, and other large reusable items.
*The massive pile of glass in the back of the T.S. would cost $25/ton to haul to a recycling center.. If there is an intended use for glass that is in the plans of a design, the New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services (NHDES) will allow burying.
Commentary
Because of my intensive analysis and assessment process, I was able to design both the long-term and short-term plans in one sitting. It was evident what areas needed particular attention due to the SWOT analysis and I was able to attend to the Weaknesses using the Strengths as leverage points. I paid particular attention to the Threats to drive my design: alternative energy, waste reduction, and community support were all strong themes. The NRRA Solid Waste Assessment Team (SWAT) supported my ideas, recommended other creative solutions, and gave me motivation through acknowledgement of my efforts. I am very grateful for their help in the process.
My one regret in this design is not adding the appropriate design elements (i.e. scale, compass, title, name...), but I only realized this after much work scanning and uploading the image. These have been added to the true design that will be presented to the town. Otherwise, I am very proud and comfortable with my work.