HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.27.2021 SWAC Minutes DRAFT
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC)
Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 27, 2021
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
DUE TO COVID-19, NO IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE ALLOWED
(per 5/28/2020 Jefferson County Board of Health Order)
Meeting conducted via GoToMeeting
Public Access: (872) 240-3212; Access Code: 867-505-741#
OPENING BUSINESS
Roll Call and Introductions – Bart Kale, Chair
Committee Members Present:
Bart Kale, Chair & Citizen at Large Heidi Eisenhour, County Commissioner
Lisa Crosby, District #1 Tracy Grisman, District #1
Tim Deverin, District #3 Glenn Gately, Conservation District
Steve King, City of Port Townsend Alysa Thomas, Skookum
Chad Young, Waste Connection
Committee Members Absent
Jenifer Taylor, District #2
Staff Present
Al Cairns, Solid Waste (SW) Division Manager Jerry Mingo, SW MRW Coordinator
Chris Spall, Public Works Support Staff Laura Tucker, Public Health, SW Education,
Guests/Visitors:
David Pater, WA State Dept. of Ecology,
Meeting properly advertised and agenda posted on May 20, 2021.
Quorum Determination: There is a quorum.
Approval/Correction of Draft of Minutes for 3/25/2021 Regular Meeting: Heidi moved, Tracy seconded, and
motion carried to approve minutes as written.
Correspondence received for discussion: None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Recycling RFP/CROP – Al Cairns, Public Works
On May 24, Al did a presentation for the BOCC on the upcoming Recycling RFP. Goals of the RFP
are: Cost containment, determining the difference in cost of including plastics versus excluding
plastics; Basel Convention compliance – final disposition of materials and how this will be
communicated to the County; and contamination reduction strategies. The RFP is scheduled to be
issued on June 7 with July 12 as the deadline for proposals, and expect the contract to be signed at the
end of October. Al plans to bring information on the RFP and the final Draft of the CROP to the
September 23 SWAC meeting.
2. Port of Port Townsend Request – Al Cairns, Public Works
The Port has informally requested the Moderate Risk Waste (MRW) facility move out of the Boat
haven. The timeline for vacating the site and the Port’s purchase of the asset improvements are being
worked out. The MRW has operated at the Boat Haven since 1994 under an Interlocal Agreement
between the Port and Public Works (PW,) with PW being responsible for operations and
maintenance. How will we serve the public without having a fixed facility? The plan is to have five
(5) collection events per year to serve the community and meet service demand until the capital
facility planning is complete and we’ve determined where to put a new facility, if such a facility is
proven necessary. We expect a term letter from the Port. PW will need 18 months to vacate the
facility. The MRW moving out will allow the Port more opportunity for marine trade job growth.
We did not pick the location. We don’t want to be impediment to the Port’s success.
Questions and discussion:
How much waste at that facility is generated at the Port? Jerry said waste from the Port and its
tenants is less than 5% of what is taken in at the MRW. Of all Household Hazardous Waste and
MRW collected, 50% is taken in at the MRW facility and 50% is collected at the satellite facilities.
But waste streams are different at the MRW facility than at Satellite locations. Al said one of the five
collection events will be held at the Port for the Small Quantity Generators (SQG.) The change in
service will require the public to manage this waste stream differently. By contracting for the
collection events, staff will be able to focus more on education about waste reduction and bring the
program into closer alignment with the SWMP goals. Many businesses have their own pipeline for
disposing of waste, and the materials are expensive so there is not a lot of waste to dispose of.
3. Battery Recycling –Jerry Mingo, Public Works
Jerry did a slide presentation on alkaline batteries and other batteries. Alkaline batteries contain a
variety of materials, some of which are toxic. Currently there is no nearby market for alkaline
batteries; Nucor does not want them. Jerry said it would cost $5-7K per year to recycle alkaline
batteries with the nearest collection site in Texas. Al suggested that these materials should be
evaluated using the EPA’s Waste Reduction Model to determine whether transporting them to Texas
achieves greenhouse gas emission reductions.
4. Paint Care – Public Works, Jerry Mingo
This program started April 1. Peninsula Paint Care Center is a participant in Jefferson County. Of the
39 counties in Washington State only 5 have agreements with Paint care.
5. Solid Waste Education – Public Health, Laura Tucker
Laura presented slides on “Addressing Recycling Contamination.” Methods used were curbside and
drop box audits, community surveys, and social media. There were 173 survey responses. Most were
from Port Townsend, many participants have lived here a long time, and it appeared most participants
are committed to recycling. Most respondents indicated they recycle by the item not the number.
Significant number of people think we did not landfill plastics when China banned recycling. A small
number of participants didn’t know which glass types could be recycled. Most know no recycling in
plastic bags. 95% answered survey questions based on what they know and not the recycling flyer.
The new recycling flyer has the front upper-half with messaging on keeping contaminates out.
Messaging on why things are not recyclable has been added to the back of the flyer.
6. Partner Updates.
a. Skookum Recycling – Alysa Thomas There is a little less waste at the remote sites. Steady
in all commodities with nothing changing in the last 8 months. New tarp for glass. TAP has
gone up probably due to aluminum. Al mentioned that Brinnon site is closing June 1 due to
garbage contamination at site.
b. Waste Connections/Olympic Disposal, Chad Young Volumes strong and new roll offs.
Since acquiring Dosewallips State Park. Increased volumes at Transfer Station.
c. City solid waste/recycling/composting, Steve King (Steve had to leave early, so no updates.)
4:15 Committee and Public Open Discussion
What it would take to set up alkaline battery recycling system and cost to do it? Jerry said $5-7k per year. What
goes into cost? Two-thirds (2/3) is shipping costs, then employee time to sort, and drums are $52 each. How
would costs be paid for? If enough local interest people may be willing to pay. Al said it might be good to
consider the cost/benefits of recycling in terms of carbon foot print. Most recycling is subsidized by the tipping
fee. Recycling is the third largest cost area yet is in the bottom in our waste reduction hierarchy. We need to look
upstream at waste reduction to bring ourselves in realignment with our SWMP. The Transfer Station is 5 years
beyond its expected life span and over the engineered capacity so the focus for staff needs to be on Capital
Planning.
LWSFA grant being submitted soon. Focus is on waste reduction including food waste. Food waste has a huge
carbon foot print. Focus on getting unused food to those who need food. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Grant will
provide over $200 K. Laura asked for thoughts, ideas and perspectives. Glenn mentioned there is a Federal bill in
the works for manufacturers to deal with recycling problem. Tracy said two points stood out that make her want to
eliminate plastic: use funds for food waste or a better use, and suspend taking plastics until industry takes
responsibility. Plastics make up 4% of the weight yet cause 80% of the contamination. Tracy also said it’s a lot on
Laura to do all of the education. Heidi said it is so important to educate our community and get them engaged on
this topic. SWAC would like to see mention of Al’s BOCC presentation on PW Solid Waste webpage so it could
be shared by SWAC members through their networks.
ADJOURNMENT
Bart adjourned the meeting at 4:28 pm.
Next Meeting Date: July 22, 2021.
2021 Regular Meeting Dates
January 28 July 22
March 25 September 23
May 27 December 2