36. WOOD WASTE
Wood waste consists of wood pieces or particles generated as a by-product or waste from the manufacturing of wood products, construction, demolition, handling and storage of raw materials, trees and stumps. This includes but is not limited to sawdust, chips, shavings, bark, pulp, hogged fuel, and log sort yard waste, but does not include wood pieces or particles containing paint or chemical preservatives such as creosote, pentachlorohenaol, or copper-chrome-arsenate.
36.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter of the Douglas County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (DCCSWMP) outlines the regulatory framework overseeing wood waste, discusses the existing conditions and programs within the Regional Planning Area (RPA), establishes objectives to meet the existing and projected needs, identifies alternatives and recommends actions for achieving the established objectives.
36.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
36.2.1 Federal Requirements
Federal regulations do not prohibit the disposal of wood wastes into permitted landfills, other than contaminated wood wastes. But as with any non-hazardous solid waste the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) emphasizes recycling, reclaiming or reuse whenever possible and when the markets are available.
36.2.2 State Requirements
The State of Washington Department of Ecology (DOE) does not prohibit the disposal of wood waste into a permitted landfill. However, under WAC 173.304.462 the DOE does regulate the disposal of wood waste within landfills. Wood waste landfills must follow the application process, permitting requirements and operational standards established by WAC 173.304.130 with the exceptions of:
- surface water location standards (WAC 173.304.130(2)(e);
- down gradient drinking waste supply wells.
The regulations do not apply to wood debris associated with timber harvesting permitted under Chapter 76.04 RCW. Wood wastes that meet the criteria as a Dangerous Waste (DW) must be disposed of according to the requirements of Chapter 173.303 WAC.
Chapter 173.425 WAC establishes a statewide program for implementing all of the outdoor burning provisions of Chapter 70.94 RCW, except those provisions pertaining to agricultural and silvicultural burning. Under this rule the following materials are prohibited from being burned in any outdoor fire:
- garbage;
- dead animals;
- asphalt;
- petroleum products;
- paints;
- rubber products;
- plastics;
- paper (other than what is necessary to start a fire);
- cardboard;
- treated wood;
- construction debris;
- metal;
- any substance (other than natural vegetation) which when burned releases toxic emissions, dense smoke, or odors.
Additionally, any person burning under this rule must follow these requirements and any additional restrictions, including those established by cities, towns, counties, or fire protection authorities:
- the fire must not include any prohibited materials;
- a person capable of extinguishing the fire must attend it at all times and the fire must be extinguished before leaving it;
- no fires are to be within 50 feet of structures;
- the pile must not be larger than four feet by four feet by three feet;
- only one pile at a time may be burned, and each pile must be extinguished before lighting another;
- no outdoor fire is permitted in or within five hundred feet of forest slash without a written burning permit;
- a fire must be extinguished if an air quality episode or impaired air quality is declared;
- if the smoke from your fire is detrimental to the health of another person, causes damage to property or business or causes unreasonable interference (nuisance) with the use and enjoyment of another person's property, it must be extinguished;
- if you do not own the property where you are conducting the burning, you must have the property owner's permission before starting the fire.
Under this rule all outdoor burning is prohibited within the East Wenatchee established urban growth boundary after December 31st, 2000. Within the cities of Bridgeport and Rock Island, and the towns of Mansfield and Waterville all outdoor burning within their established urban growth boundaries will be prohibited after December 31st, 2006. For residents of unincorporated Douglas County an outdoor burning permit will be required from the DOE with the exception of residential and tumbleweed burning.
36.2.3 Local Requirements
Douglas County
Any jurisdiction, agency, private corporation, individual or other entity wishing to import wood waste into Douglas County must conform to the Douglas County Solid Waste Importation Ordinance (DCSWIO). As specified within the ordinance a formal Letter of Request to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners requesting that their application for solid waste importation be reviewed is required. Only after the Douglas County Board of Commissioners has received a Letter of Request will the review and approval process begin. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will review the information contained within the Letter of Request with county staff and others. If it is determined by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners that sufficient information has been provided and that all known potential adverse impacts have been identified, assessed and mitigated the request may be approved.
Within Douglas County no person shall deposit, discard or otherwise dispose of any wood waste upon any public place within the county or upon a private residence or other private property not owned by him/her, or in any waters within the county except:
- when such property is designed by the state or any of its agencies or the count for the disposal of solid waste, and such person is authorized by the appropriate permitting authority to so use such property;
- with the prior written consent of the landowner approving of such disposal upon their private property.
Additionally, within Douglas County all owners or persons in control of any private residence or other private property shall at all times maintain the premises free of any wood wastes that pose a risk to the public health and safety, the environment or creates a nuisance.
36.3 EXISTING CONDITIONS
36.3.1 Education
An education program has been in place since 1993 to inform the general public about the options available to them concerning the reuse of their tree prunings and the recycling of their Christmas trees. The program has utilized through the media (radio, newspaper), flyers, brochures and direct personal communications. Christmas tree collection flyers and tree mulching brochures are available through the DCSWPO. These flyers and brochures have been distributed throughout the RPA.
36.3.2 Christmas Tree Collection Program
The City of East Wenatchee sponsors an annual Greater East Wenatchee Area Christmas Tree Collection Event on the first Saturday of January. This one-day collection event is held in conjunction with the Eastmont School District and the Eastmont High School, which provides the collection site and receives the chipped Christmas tree mulch. Once the Christmas trees are collected, along with the Christmas trees collected in Bridgeport, Rock Island, Mansfield and Waterville they are chipped into mulch by a tree chipping service under contract to the DCSWPO. The Christmas tree mulch is then utilized by the ESD as a weed retardant mulch.
All Christmas trees collected must meet the following requirements in order to be accepted:
- must be a natural tree, no plastic or aluminum trees will be accepted;
- must be free of all foil, decorations and lights;
- support bases must be removed;
-
trees over six feet in length must be cut in two.
In early January of each year the cities of Bridgeport and Rock Island and the towns of Mansfield and Waterville offer a Christmas tree collection program. Christmas trees are collected at each of the Community Recycling Centers (CRC) following the Christmas Holiday. There is a small handling fee charged for this service. Once the Christmas trees have been collected at the CRCs they are picked up by the Douglas County District Court Probation Office using Jail Trustees. The collected Christmas trees are then transported to the Greater East Wenatchee Area Christmas Tree Collection Event site where they are processed into mulch.
Table 36-1 Quantity of Christmas Trees Collected within the RPA
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Collection Event |
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Number of Trees |
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|
2000 |
|
|
|
|
378 |
|
1999 |
|
|
|
|
395 |
|
1998 |
|
|
|
|
325 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source: Bill Tinney II |
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|
|
|
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36.4 OBJECTIVES
35.4.1 Ensure that Wood Waste are Properly Managed
With both federal and state law emphasizing the recycling, reclaiming or reuse of non-hazardous solid waste whenever possible, it is very important that wood wastes be managed in a manner that diverts it from the waste stream and put it to a beneficial use.
36.4.2 Ensure that all Wood Waste Facilities Meet all Federal, State and Local Regulations
With state regulations specifying how wood wastes can be disposed of, it is very important that the generators of this waste be properly educated. Failure of a generator to properly dispose of their wood waste can result in substantial penalties, fines and corrective actions.
36.4.3 Ensure that Program Reflects Local Conditions
With the tendency of regulatory agencies to have a one-size fits all approach, it is imperative that all programs be locally supported and accepted. Because of the rural character of Douglas County and its cities and towns all programs should reflect conditions that exist locally and not be driven by what the DOE deems as efficient or cost effective.
36.4.4 Ensure that the Established Agricultural Industry is Protected
With the importation of untreated "green waste" into the RPA a possibility, it is extremely important that this waste be processed and managed in a manner that will not pose a threat to the established agricultural industry. Untreated "green waste" may contain agricultural pests, noxious waste, bacteria, fungi and other non-indigenous organisms that could be harmful to our established agricultural industry if introduced into the RPA.
36.4.5 Ensure that the Public has an Opportunity to Recycle
With restrictions placed upon where and how wood wastes can be disposed of, it is important that generators have convenient and economical recycling opportunities available. Failure to provide such opportunities may lead t improper disposal and possible enforcement action against the generator.
36.4.6 Establish a Wood Waste Diversion Goal
It is the goal of the DCCSWMP to divert five percent of all wood waste from the waste stream within the RPA.
36.5 ALTERNATIVES
36.5.1 Ban Wood Waste from the GWRLF
Another way to increase source-separated recycling is to prohibit the disposal of wood waste into the GWRLF. One problem associated with disposal bans is illegal dumping of the banned material. Therefore, an important component of a disposal ban is the development of alternative handling and disposal methods. For example, if wood waste disposal is banned from the solid waste stream, a wood waste collection and recycling facility must be available, convenient and reasonably priced to accommodate the diverted material.
36.5.2 Restrict Disposal to only Permitted and Approved Facilities
By restricting wood waste disposal to only permitted and approved facilities, proper disposal, diversion and recycling opportunities will be available within the RPA. This will insure that the facilities are operated in a manner that protects the public health and safety and the environment. However, there are currently many non-permitted collection and disposal sites within the RPA. As required under Chapter 173.304 WAC, all solid waste facilities are to be permitted by the Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD) and inspected at least annually. Facilities failing to obtain or apply for a solid waste facility permit are considered to be illegal dumpsites, and are in violation of state law and local regulations.
36.5.3 Haul Collected Wood Waste from the GWRLF to the Ellensburg Composting Facility
Ellensburg currently hauls their Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to the GWRLF for disposal and these trucks then return to Ellensburg without a load. It could be beneficial to use these trucks to haul wood waste generated within the RPA to Kittitas County's composting site in Ellensburg. This would reduce the amount of wood waste entering the GWRLF and would add material to be carried by the otherwise empty truck returning to Ellensburg.
36.5.4 Conduct a Wood Waste Collection Feasibility Study
A typical wood waste processing facility receives its bulk wood waste, such as stumps and brush, pallets, wooden flood debris and construction and demolition wastes by truck. The wood wastes are normally put through a chipping unit, which reduces the volume significantly. The chipped material is then further processed by passing it through a screen. The chipped material can be screened so that the end product meets specific size and cleanliness standards. Chipped wood waste can be used as landscape material, hog fuel and as a carbon source for composting. The landscaping industry has used chipped wood waste for decorative ground cover and erosion control materials for years. For materials that have a high percentage of contaminants such as rocks or in the case of building demolition debris nails, metal strips, insulation, etc. a tub grinder should be considered. The disadvantage of a tub grinder is that it has a volume reduction ratio less that that of a chipper.
Wood waste processing facilities generate most of their revenues from tipping fees on the incoming wood waste. The sale of processed wood waste generally is relatively small, about ten to twenty cents on the dollar. A typical wood waste processing facility, within a rural county, must sustain at a minimum volume of forty tons per day and have end-markets for the processed wood waste within twenty-five miles. A wood waste processing facility capable of handling twenty tons per day would cost approximately five hundred thousand dollars to develop. This estimate includes the costs for siting, permitting, construction and the purchase of equipment. The cost estimate does not include the cost to acquire the land.
Because of the rural characteristic of the RPA, the unknown volume of wood waste available and the uncertainty of end-markets a feasibility study should be undertaken to determine the economic viability of any wood waste processing facility prior to its siting and construction.
36.5.5 Site and Permit a Number of Wood Waste Processing Facilities within the RPA
There are only two permitted demolition and inert waste landfills within the RPA. There is only one permitted MSWLF within the RPA. Therefore, additional facilities should be sited and permitted within the RPA. The actual number of wood waste processing facilities would depend upon the volume of wood waste available, the geographical location of the facility in proximity to the source of material, convenience to the public and/or generators and federal, state and local siting and permit requirements. If the wood waste facilities were to be sited in close proximity to the source of wood waste and were convenient to the public and/or generator the disposal, diversion and recycling of wood waste would likely take place. However, if too many wood waste processing facilities are sited and permitted within the RPA the overall available volume is dispersed to the point that the facilities may not be able to receive enough wood waste to sustain their operation.
36.5.6 Site a Regional Wood Waste Processing Facility within the Greater East Wenatchee Area
It is estimated that approximately nine percent of the waste stream within the Greater East Wenatchee Area is composted of wood waste. Additionally, a large volume of wood waste comes from agricultural sources and is traditionally burned. A smaller volume of wood waste, primarily construction and demolition waste, is illegally dumped within the Greater East Wenatchee Area. Siting and permitting a regional wood waste processing facility within the Greater East Wenatchee Area would provide an opportunity for the public, farmers and contractors within the urban growth boundary of East Wenatchee an alternative to open burning. This wood waste could be processed into decorative ground cover and erosion control materials as well being utilized as a carbon source for the regional yard debris compost facility. This facility could be privately owned and operated and would service the needs of the surround area.
36.5.7 Site Community Wood Waste Processing Facilities in Bridgeport, Mansfield and Waterville
Because of the small volume of wood waste and the distance to travel, the City of Bridgeport and the towns of Mansfield and Waterville should site community wood waste processing facilities within their jurisdictions. These community facilities would provide a local and convenient opportunity for the residents of Bridgeport, Mansfield and Waterville to divert their wood waste from the waste stream. These facilities should be staffed and have established operating hours in order to be convenient to the residents. Wood waste from commercial generators should be accepted at a reduced rate or have exchange rights for the processed wood chips. Additionally, these facilities could be operated in conjunction with the yard debris compost facilities. Each community wood waste facility would consist of a:
- fenced enclosure,
- office/ticket house,
- equipment/maintenance shed,
- collection area,
- stormwater/leachate holding ponds,
- processing area (tub grinder, chipper, screen)
- storage area
The community wood waste processing facility would have to meet all standards specified with Chapter 173.304 WAC, as well as any local siting and permit requirements. It is projected that all processed wood chips would be locally utilized.
36.5.8 Conduct an Annual Christmas Tree Collection Event for the Greater East Wenatchee Area
The City of East Wenatchee should conduct an annual Christmas Tree Collection Event for those households and businesses that purchase natural trees as a Christmas ornament. This would allow individuals with natural trees a convenient recycling opportunity. The DCSWPO should assist the City of East Wenatchee by coordinating the Greater East Wenatchee Area Collection Event with the other Christmas Tree Collection Events. Additionally, the DCSWPO would obtain collection event personnel, promote the collection event, prepare a site specific health and safety plan, provide notification to the appropriate emergency management agencies, provide traffic control and other responsibilities as needed to assure a successful and safe collection event. All Christmas trees must meet the following standards in order to be collected:
- they must be natural trees, no plastic or aluminum trees will be accepted,
- they must be free of all foil, decorations and lights,
- their support bases must be removed,
- trees over six feet in length must be cut in two.
36.5.9 Collect Christmas Trees at the Community Recycling Centers
Because of the small volume of Christmas trees and the distance to travel to dispose of their Christmas trees the residence of Bridgeport, Mansfield, Rock Island and Waterville are limited in their options. Under this alternative the participating jurisdictions should collect the Christmas trees at their CRC, where they would be temporary stored until the DCSWPO arranged to have them transported to the Greater East Wenatchee Christmas Tree Collection Event site. This alternative would allow the residents of Bridgeport, Mansfield, Rock Island and Waterville a local opportunity to recycle their Christmas trees without having to drive a great distance. All Christmas trees must meet the following standards in order to be collected:
- they must be natural trees, no plastic or aluminum trees will be accepted,
- they must be free of all foil, decorations and lights,
- their support bases must be removed,
- trees over six feet in length must be cut in two.
The DCSWPO is responsible for: coordination of the collection events; promoting the collection events and arranging to have the collected Christmas trees picked up and transported to the Greater East Wenatchee Christmas Tree Collection Event site and other responsibilities as needed to assure a successful and safe collection event.
36.5.10 Develop a Wood Waste Education Program
The DCSWPO should develop a wood waste education program and encourage participating jurisdictions to implement a community chipping program. This program would specifically provide the public, farmers and contractors with the requirements, methods and options available to them to properly manage their wood waste. The program could provide information on what is wood waste, how is it regulated, where it can be disposed of, and similar information. The DCSWPO should develop brochures and information sheets to educate the public, farmers, contractors and regulatory authorities about how wood waste is to be managed properly. Existing wood waste processing facilities should be promoted and the reuse of wood waste should be stressed over landfilling.
36.5.11 Monitor and Track Wood Wastes
The DCSWPO needs to monitor and track all wood waste to determine who is generating the wood waste, the volume of wood waste being generated, where it originated from, where it is being disposed of, and how is it being disposed of. Without knowing these basic facts, it is impossible to properly manage the solid waste stream within the RPA. Therefore, the DCSWPO should establish a data tracking program that monitors and tracks all wood waste disposal within the RPA annually.
36.6 RECOMMENDATIONS
36.6.1 Restrict Disposal to Only Permitted and Approved Facilities
36.6.2 Conduct a Wood Waste Collection Feasibility Study
36.6.3 Conduct an Annual Christmas Tree Collection Event for the Greater East Wenatchee Area
36.6.4 Collect Christmas Trees at the Community Recycling Centers
36.6.5 Implement a Wood Waste Public Education Program
36.6.6 Monitor and Track Wood Wastes