briefing on the solid waste trust fund...waste management act of 1990 provided policy direction to...

Briefing on theSolid Waste Trust Fund

forThe Environmental Advisory Council

August 25, 2005

Solid Waste Management in Georgia in the Early

1990s

Solid Waste Management in Georgia in the Early 1990s

♦ Critical shortage of permitted waste disposal space or “capacity” for our trash

♦ Problem disposal sites

♦ Very little waste reduction and recycling occurring

♦ Rampant illegal dumping

♦ Litter blemished many communities


♦ 4.8 Million scrap tires identified in stockpiles throughout the state

♦ In 1992, a major tire fire involving an estimated 3 million scrap tires burned


♦ Former scrap tire processing facility near the City of Palmetto

♦ Company declared bankruptcy around 1988

♦ Estimated 4 million tires had accumulated at the facility

♦ In June 1992, a fire (cause unknown) began at the abandoned facility


♦ An estimated 3 million scrap tires were consumed in the blaze

♦ Black billowing smoke choked the air

♦ Pyrolytic oil threatened human health and the environment

♦ EPA spent ~$2 M of Federal Superfund moneys to extinguish the blaze, process the pyrolytic oil, and treat ground water


♦ EPD spent $2.5 million:

– removing and processing the remaining unburned 1.5 million tires

– grading and re-vegetating the site

♦ Groundwater at the site remains contaminated and awaits final cleanup funding.

Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management

Act of 1990

Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act of 1990♦ Provided policy direction to address issues

Georgia was facing in the early 1990s

♦ The Act, and subsequent amendments to it throughout the 1990s, provides a framework guiding how solid waste is to be managed in Georgia today

Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act of 1990

Primary Responsibility

EPD

Other StateAgencies &

LocalGovernments

Comprehensive Statewide Program for Solid Waste Management

•Established the Solid Waste Trust Fund

•Develop and implement a state solid waste management plan

•Ensure safe waste disposal sites

•Reduce waste and recycle

•Purchase goods that are recyclable and that are made from recovered materials

•Cleanup scrap tire piles and establish a statewide program to ensure they are properly managed, and where possible reused rather than disposed

•Recycle yard trimmings rather than disposing of them

Coordination MOU

The Solid Waste Trust Fund

(SWTF)

The SWTF♦ A 1992 amendment to the Act created a

primary funding source for the SWTF

♦ The amendment established a $1.00 fee for each new replacement tire sold in the state

♦ The fee generates approximately $6.5 million/year

♦ In 1999, the General Assembly extended collection of the fee to June 30, 2005

♦ In 2005, the fee was extended an additional 3 years to June 30, 2008

The SWTFTire Fee Revenue

Fiscal Year Fees Collected Fees Appropriated1993 $ 3,363,868 $ 01994 $ 4,482,804 $ 3,000,0001995 $ 5,890,009 $ 5,363,8681996 $ 5,793,277 $ 5,276,3441997 $ 6,132,574 $ 5,396,9901998 $ 6,055,640 $ 6,792,7561999 $ 6,479,339 $ 6,132,5742000 $ 6,685,603 $ 7,102,4052001 $ 6,871,423 $ 6,685,6032002 $ 6,606,385 $ 7,171,4232003 $ 6,570,287 $ 6,132,5742004 $ 6,598,064 $ 0

2005 estimated $ 6,500,000 $ 0

Total $ 78,529,273 $ 59,054,537

The SWTFAs defined in the Act, the corpus of the SWTF is comprised of appropriated fees and fines collected for significant violations of the Act. These funds, with approval from the DNR Board, are then used by EPD to carry out the goals of the Act.

Corpus of the Solid Waste Trust FundFiscal Year 1993 - 2005

$0

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

$3,000,000

$4,000,000

$5,000,000

$6,000,000

$7,000,000

$8,000,000

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Appropriations

Fines

$59,054,537

$ 1,976,008

Total

$61,030,545

The SWTFThe Act specifies that interest earned on the corpus of the SWTFshall be used by EPD for administration of the state solid wastemanagement program.

Figure 3Interest Earned on the Corpus of the SWTF

Fiscal Year 1993 - 2005

$0

$200,000

$400,000

$600,000

$800,000

$1,000,000

$1,200,000

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Total Interest Earned $6,467,641

SWTF Expenditures

SWTF ExpendituresSWTF Expenditures FY 1993 - FY 2005

Market Development

and Innovative Technology

Grants$3 Million

Other State Agency Grants

$19.4 Million

Local Government

Grants$12.2 Million

EPD SWTF Program

Operations$10.0 Million

Cleanup$12.4 Million

Total Expenditures and Contractual Obligations

$57 Million

SWTF ExpendituresGrants to State Agencies FY 1993 - 2005Grants for Waste Reduction, Recycling,

and Litter Prevention

DOA $265,000

DOAS $350,000

DCA $3,108,518

P2AD $4,050,997

WRD $1,152,461

DOC $350,813

GEFA $10,095,520

Total $19,373,309

Authorized Uses of the SWTF

Authorized Uses of the SWTF♦Establishing a scrap tire management

program in the state that:– eliminates scrap tire piles; and – prevents new piles from forming.

♦Taking emergency, preventative, and corrective actions at:– abandoned;– closed; or – currently operating disposal facilities.

Authorized Uses of the SWTFGrants and loans are authorized to local governments and state agencies for:– for education and other efforts to promote

waste reduction, recycling, and recycling market development;

– Development and implementation of solid waste enforcement programs to address illegal dumping of solid waste;

– cleanup of scrap tires; and

– market development and innovative technology grants for the reuse and recycling of solid waste.


♦Establishing a scrap tire management program in the state that:– eliminates scrap tire piles; and – prevents new piles from forming.

Authorized Uses of the SWTFScrap Tire Management Eliminate Scrap Tire Piles

EPD - Historic Scrap Tire Pile Cleanup ActivityTotal Number of Tires Cleaned Up 12.5 Million TiresTotal Cost of Tire Cleanups $11.5 million

Authorized Uses of the SWTFScrap Tire ManagementEliminate Scrap Tire Piles

EPD - Pending Tire Pile CleanupsApproximate number of scrap tires in new piles awaiting cleanup 200,000Estimated cost of the cleanups $300,000

Authorized Uses of the SWTFScrap Tire ManagementEliminate Scrap Tire Piles

Local government activity:

Scrap Tire Enforcement ActivitiesActivity FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004

Scrap Tire Dumps Found 211 512 1,063 1,217Scrap Tire Dumps Cleaned 189 498 962 1,928Scrap Tires Removed 90,696 181,637 194,493 146,473Current Number of Dumps 49 618 642 875Estimated Number of Scrap Tires at Current Dumps

36,670 152,214 236,693 142,160

Authorized Uses of the SWTFScrap Tire ManagementPreventing New Piles from Forming

Generators

Carriers

Processors

Scra

p Ti

re T

rack

ing

Man

ifest Tire retailers and generators of scrap tires are registered with EPD

Transporters (Carriers) of scrap tires are required to be permitted by EPD

Scrap tire recyclers are required to be permitted by EPD

Rules have been adopted that regulate generation, transportation, and the recycling (processing) of scrap tires. Rules require a scrap tire transportation manifest for each load of tires collected by a permitted scrap tire carrier or processor. The manifest tracks tires from the point of generation to the final disposition at a scrap tire processor permitted by EPD.

Authorized Uses of the SWTFScrap Tire ManagementPreventing New Piles from Forming

♦ Compliance inspections have a strong educational component

♦ Several educational seminars are conducted each year

♦ Enforcement action is typically reserved for those that have the opportunity and knowledge to comply, but choose not to do so.

Authorized Uses of the SWTFScrap Tire ManagementPrevent New Piles from Forming

Example: Compliance Activity of Local Governments

Scrap Tire Enforcement ActivitiesActivity FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004

Complaints Received 359 858 1,373 1,687Generator Inspections 1,508 1,955 3,477 2,586Generator Warnings - 266 325 228Generator Citations 22 46 35 39Sorter Inspections 15 29 67 134Sorter Citations 2 8 4 7Sorter Warnings - 12 17 30

Authorized Uses of the SWTFScrap Tire ManagementPrevent New Piles from Forming

♦The major piles are cleaned up

♦The state’s scrap tire management program has been a huge success

♦Why do we need the program anymore?

Authorized Uses of the SWTFScrap Tire ManagementRecycle Scrap Tires rather than Dispose

♦ In 1998, researchers from GSU and GIT findings:

– Maintain current state policies, including ban on landfilling tires;

– These policies are necessary to support and protect the fragile scrap tire processing industry

– 7 processors in the state capable of processing 20 million scrap tires/year

– Employ approximately 200 people in the state

Authorized Uses of the SWTFScrap Tire ManagementRecycle Scrap Tires rather than Dispose

♦ Absent strong policy, the climate for recycling scrap tires is not favorable and the processing industry cannot survive

♦ Scrap tires are dumped or landfilled rather than recycled

Figure 16SCRAP TIRE-DERIVED

PRODUCT MARKETTire

Derived Fuel 85%

Septic Drain Field

10%

Crumb Rubber Stock

5%


♦Taking emergency, preventative, and corrective actions at:– abandoned;

– closed; or

– currently operating disposal facilities.

Authorized Uses of the SWTFEmergency, Preventative or Corrective ActionsWatson Tire Fire

♦ Former tire landfill

♦ Youngsters on ATVs suspected of starting the fire – Sept. 1992

♦ EPA led the emergency response

♦ Residents evacuated

♦ Total response cost almost $200,000

Authorized Uses of the SWTFEmergency, Preventative or Corrective ActionsOther Projects

♦ NTS Tire Landfill– Abandoned by owner before closed– Exposed tires presented environmental hazard– Cost to close $435,486

♦ Altamaha River– Cleanup up of approximately 24 river houses– Posed hazard to environment and navigation– Cost $20,000

♦ Crymes Landfill– Closed prior to post-closure care requirements– Methane gas posed a serious threat to commercial and

residential structures– Methane monitoring system cost $55,561– Responsible party cost estimated over $2 million

Authorized Uses of the SWTFEmergency, Preventative or Corrective ActionsPending Projects

Scales Road -C&D Landfill♦ Abandoned C&D landfill in east

DeKalb County

♦ Mountains of uncovered construction demolition waste

♦ Estimated cost of covering, closure, and post closure care $2.7 million

Authorized Uses of the SWTFGrantsPartnerships with State Agencies and Local Government

♦ Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority

♦ Department of Community Affairs

♦ Pollution Prevention Assistance Division

♦ Wildlife Resources Division

♦ Local Government

Authorized Uses of the SWTFGrantsLocal Government

Local governments have been the recipients of the following grants:

♦ Enforcement and Education Grant

♦ Reimbursement Grants for Scrap Tires

♦ GEFA – Recycling and Waste Reduction Grants


Enforcement and Education Grant Program♦ Seed money to start up local illegal dumping

prevention programs

♦ 54 local government programs funded in FY 2004

♦ Education a key component of the program

♦ Grant program discontinued in FY 2004 due to lack of funding

♦ 80% of the local programs continued after funding discontinued in FY 2004

Authorized usesof the SWTFGrantsLocal Government

Enforcement and Education Grant:Solid Waste Enforcement Activities

Activity FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004SW Complaints Received 4,070 5,050 7,714 8,915SW Dump Investigations 2,862 4,283 5,471 5,312Inert Landfill Inspections 74 178 252 219SW Verbal Warnings - 1,133 1,646 1,904SW Written Warnings - 1,700 2,675 3,173SW Citations 1,245 1,088 2,056 1,611


Enforcement and Education Grant:

Solid Waste Enforcement ActivitiesActivity FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004

New SW Dumps Discovered 592 1,482 2,452 3,101SW Dumps Cleaned Up 1,153 2,444 2,922 3,987Current Number of Dumps 146 548 717 1,025



Educational Outreach ActivitiesEducational Activity FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004

Schools Visited 300 428 1,337 2,659Youth Groups Reached 124 220 802 1,048Civic Groups Reached 153 281 739 1,234Businesses Reached 459 6,461 13,009 19,127



Educational Outreach MaterialsEducational Activity FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004

# of articles printed 30,909 16,296 17,734 6,075# of ads printed 3,131 4,059 1,780 26,444# of times displays used 139 552 3,151 3,059# of brochures distributed 173,237 588 169,543 339,259# of PR materials distributed 166,299 900 155,221 306,112

Authorized Uses of the SWTFEPD Program Operations

♦ Fee collection

♦ Administration of a statewide scrap tire regulatory program

♦ Administration of grant programs authorized by the Act

♦ Education

SWTF ExpendituresProgram Operations

Fee Collection

♦ EPD collects the fees from tire retailers and deposits them into the state treasury

♦ Each year EPD requests through the state budgeting process to be appropriated fees collected during the previous year for deposit into the SWTF

Authorized Uses of the SWTFEPD Program Operations

♦ Fee collection

♦ Administration of a statewide scrap tire regulatory program

♦ Administration of grant programs authorized by the Act

♦ Education

Authorized Uses of the SWTFProgram OperationsEPD Educational Activities:

♦ Training of Environmental Compliance Officers

♦ Education of the Regulated Public

♦ School Education and Outreach

SWTF ExpendituresProgram OperationsSWTF Educational Activities

Training of Environmental Compliance Officers

♦ Orientation training for new compliance officers

♦ Local environmental compliance program training manual

♦ Biannual seminars for compliance officers

SWTF ExpendituresProgram Operations SWTF Educational Activities

♦ Compliance inspections have a strong educational component

♦ Several educational seminars are conducted each year

♦ Enforcement action is typically reserved for those that have the opportunity and knowledge to comply, but choose not to do so.

Education of the Regulated Public

Future ChallengesSolid Waste Reduction

On average each person in Georgia creates 30% more garbage for disposal than the national average.

Figure 161994 - 2005 Per Capita Waste Disposal Trends

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.08.09.0

10.011.0

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Total Waste MSW Georgia MSW Reduction Goal C&D

Future ChallengesSolid Waste ReductionA recent study found that significant quantities of waste is being disposed that could be diverted for use by Georgia industries.

Figure 17Georgia's Municipal Solid Waste Composition

Paper39%

Plastic16%

Organic27%

Inorganic3%

Metal5% Glass

4%

C&D6%

Future ChallengesCase Study – Waste ReductionHall County

Commodities – Hall County 2004Newspaper Cardboard Office

MixPhoneBooks

MagazinesTotal

Total TonsRecycled

1,270 1,204 120 72 292

4,972

1,164

1.1 millionCU/YDLandfill 2,539 2,407 240 144 585 5915

Mature Trees Saved

21,584 20,463 2,042 1,228

2958

50,288

9,341Barrels of Oil Saved

5,053 2,359 478 287

KWH’s Saved 4.9 million 2.3 million .46 M .28 M 9.04 M


Commodities – Hall County 2004Glass Plastic Aluminum Steel

CansUsedOil Total

Total TonsRecycled

433 131 26 43 46,055 Gallons

-

-CU/YDLandfill 866 261 52 86 - 1,265

Barrels of Oil Saved

576 2,611 1,730 143

633

5,060

KWH’s Saved .56million 2.5 million 1.7 M .14 M 4.9 M


Hall County Recycling vs. Landfilling Costs

2005 Cost of LandfillingRevenue from

Recycling Center

June $13,466 $39,215July $10,683 $13,137

Total $72,629 $144,511

January $12,488 $21,542February $ 7,042 $ 8,005

$28,225$21,724

May $ 6,299 $12,663

March $ 9,436April $13,215

Future ChallengesSolid Waste Planning♦ Act mandates solid waste planning

♦ SWTF funds this critical activity at DCA

♦ Today, the is state facing critical solid waste issues:– There is adequate capacity, but long haul distances that

increases energy consumption, truck traffic, air pollution, and litter

– Cheap disposal:• does not reflect long-term environmental care cost• is encouraging waste imports• filling us capacity faster than necessary

– Citing new facilities difficult

– Careful planning is an important tool to ensure the solid waste management needs of our state are met.

Future ChallengesPrevention and Cleanup of Scrap Tires♦ Georgia’s scrap tire management program

tremendously successful

♦ Cleanup of over 12.5 million scrap tires

♦ Funding is continuing for education, compliance monitoring, and enforcement program in place to prevent illegal tire piles

♦ Some states have eliminated their scrap tire programs or are using the funds for other purposes only to see piles reappear

♦ Lesson: sustained effort is needed to avoid the experiences of other states

Future ChallengesAbandoned Solid Waste Facilities

♦ Act provides that the SWTF be used to address abandoned facilities

♦ Without the SWTF, no funding mechanism will exist to closeout and provide post-closure care for facilities abandoned by bankrupt companies

♦ Timing, scope, and cost unpredictable

Future ChallengesEducation

♦ Many Georgian’s are unaware of the impact their individual actions have on the environment

♦ Education and technical assistance are fundamental to effective efforts to combating pollution

♦ Through effective and sustained education individuals learn to avoid behaviors that harm our natural resources and the environment

Future ChallengesLitter Prevention

♦ Research has shown litter:

– Decreases property values– Increases crime– Negatively affects tourism– Reduces the desirability of

businesses to stay or locate in a community

♦ Governor Purdue signed an Executive Order in 2005 to seek ways of combating this growing problem in Georgia.

Future ChallengesCompliance and Enforcement

♦ Many Georgia communities report the top two solid waste issues are:

– Illegal dumping– Litter

♦ Education and compliance monitoring and enforcement are critical component to ensure proper management of solid waste

♦ Tight budgets the last few years has resulted in local governments and EPD cutting back this critical activity

Future ChallengesEmergency Action at Solid Waste Facilities

♦ Sufficient reserve funds are needed for emergencies

♦ In the past, the SWTF has been used to:

– Extinguish fires at landfills and tire piles

– Address methane gas problems at landfills

– Control contaminated waters that threaten the waters of the state

♦ These situations are unpredictable and be very costly

briefing on the solid waste trust fund...waste management act of 1990 provided policy direction to...

Documents