A Vision for an Integrated Waste Management Strategy

Public Information Meeting

City of Taunton, MassachusettsFebruary 27, 2012

1

Overview

Who we are

Experience (development & operations)

What we are offering

Project elements

Advantages & local benefits

Summary

2

Team Introductions

Michael Nicholson, Sr. Vice President, WeCare Organics, LLC

Role: Project Development, WeCare Technology Group

Jeffrey J. LeBlanc, President, WeCare Organics, LLC Role: Project Development, Senior Management

Wes Gregory, Chief Executive Officer, WeCare Organics, LLCRole: Project Development, Senior Management

Jeffrey H. Heath, P.E., Principal Manager, GHDRole: Engineering Manager

3

WeCare Organics Overview

WeCare Organics, LLC is a privately owned company

Offering organics & municipal solid waste (MSW) management options

Strong presence in Massachusetts and the Northeast

Full-service provider – development, waste collection,

processing, operations / logistics, & product distribution

4

WeCare Regional Operations

Recently expanded into Michigan

and pursuing projects throughout North America5

WeCare Organics, LLC

5,000 tons/day of solid waste under contract

2,500 tons/day of biosolids under contract

15 operating facilities (2 organics processing facilities in Massachusetts – Marlborough and Cape Cod)

4 operating transfer stations (2 transfer stations in Massachusetts – Spencer & Yarmouth)

Treatment / processing of over 500,000 tons of organics per year

Marketing and sales of over 500,000 cubic yards of recycled products per year

6

GHD Organics Management(Working with WeCare Since 1990)

1. Biosolids Management Program – Nashua, New Hampshire

2. Compost Facility Expansion Study – Amherst, New York

3. Design/Build of an MSW Co-Composting Facility – Delaware County, New York

4. Evaluation of SSO Processing Options and Owner’s Consultant for the DBO Phase of the SSO Waste Treatment Facility – York Region, Ontario

5. Food Waste Composting Facility – Department of Sanitation, New York City

6. Renewable Bioenergy Initiative – Cornell University, New York

7. Sustainable Bioenergy Facility – Sheland Farms, New York1

2 3 4

5 6 77

Experience– How to Build a Successful Project

Site must be suitable for intended use

Secure and hold waste contracts = reliable revenue

Utilize proven technologies – simple & effective

Community involvement – be a good neighbor

Local knowledge and strong relationships

Economic viability = sustainable operation

8

What We Are Offering

An integrated waste management strategy to process and manage the following waste streams:

1. Biosolids from the Taunton WWTP

2. Mixed municipal solid waste, including an option for residential collection

3. Single-stream recyclables collection and processing

4. Organics (food waste and yard waste) disposal and processing for beneficial reuse (processing at an existing facility)

9

Project Elements

Biosolids processing at the City’s wastewater treatment plant

“ECOPARK” at City-owned property adjacent to the Myles Standish Industrial Park

– Municipal Solid Waste Transfer Station

– Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

– Residential Drop-off Facility for organics and recyclables

10

Biosolids Processing

Proven technology – Sanford, Florida

Located at WWTP

Capacity for merchant waste

Modular system

Process is energy neutral

Heat generated used in drying biosolids; energy is recovered

5 – 8 employees

Thermal Reduction by Gasification

Materials Feed and GasifierMaterials Feed and Gasifier

Thermal Oxidizer and Heat Exchanger11

MaxWest Environmental Systems

Building Size –150’x 120’ = 18,000 sq. ft.

Building Height –Less than 47 ft.

Pre-engineered Building Construction

State & Local Building Codes Apply

12

Key Process & Operational Controls

Odor Control Methods– Fully enclosed facilities

– Integration with existing WWTP facilities

– Use of thermal oxidizer for emissions control

– Performance-based standards and regulatory compliance

– Water-tight and sealed containers for transport

Management of By-product Ash– Recyclable product

– Utilized in other WeCare operations

– Odor profile of wood ash

Truck Traffic – no net increase of traffic for transport of biosolids

13

Traffic Control Strategy

Existing Conditions Proposed Facility

Volume of Biosolids 12,000 TPY 36,000 TPY

Outbound Trucks:a.Biosolids 4 Trucks/Day* 0 Trucks/Dayb.Ash By-Product 0 Trucks/Day 1-2 Trucks/Week

Inbound Trucks: 0 Trucks/Day 4 Trucks/Day**

Net Change = 1–2 Trucks of Ash per Week

* City currently uses 12-ton containers to haul biosolids ** WeCare will use larger containers – average of 22 tons per load

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ECOPARK Facility: MSW Transfer and Recycling Facility

WeCare Organics Waste Transfer & Recycling Center

City of Taunton, MA

Process Flow Schematic

To Disposal

Organics & YardResidential MSWCommercial MSWRecyclables

Gla

ss

Me

tals

Pla

stics

Pa

pe

r

Single Stream (Mixed) Recyclables

Residential Mixed Solid Waste (MSW)

Commercial Mixed Solid Waste (MSW)

Residential Source Separated Organics

& Yard Waste

Scale HouseCheck-In

ResidentialMSW

Recyclables

Residential Convenience

Center

Truck Loading Area

Baler & Containers

MaterialsRecoveryFacility

(Recyclables)Food

Waste&

YardWaste

To WeCare’sExisting Facility

MSW Processing& Transfer:

Baling & Odor Containment

RailHaul

R.R. Spur

(Optional)

Recyclable Recovery & Residual Waste Exchange

(City Residents Only)

To Disposal

To Market

15

Sample Site Plan (For Illustration Only)

Transfer StationDrop-off Area

Organics Drop-off Area

HHW Recycling Facility

Scale House

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Municipal Solid Waste Transfer Station

Regional transfer station

(up to 1000 TPD; average

750 TPD)

Rail and truck transfers

Waste baling system

Always have truck backup

5 – 8 employees

17

Materials Management and Storage

Truck Transport in Addition to Rail Transport

Materials Management & Storage (Odor Control)

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Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

Process single-stream recyclables – 100 to 300 TPD

Utilize same site on City-owned property

Haul recyclables by truck or rail

One-stop processing

Maximize recycling initiatives

Flexibility – adapt, change, grow with sustainable environmental solution

8 – 15 employees

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Residential Drop-Off Center

Mixed waste & recyclables

Food waste & yard waste

3 – 5 employees

All organics processed off-site (at an existing facility)

MassDEP currently considering organics ban from landfills

“Adapting to Changing Waste Streams and Market Conditions”

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Key Process and Operational Controlsat the ECOPARK

Odor Containment– Enclosed facilities– Baling of solid waste (no uncovered waste storage)– Aspiration of odorous air & treatment through a biofilter– No waste on floor of Transfer Station at end of day

Traffic Controls (similar vehicle volume as existing landfill)– Scale house and check-in– Separation of residential drop-off from commercial activity– Allowance for truck queuing on-site– Major transportation routes directly accessible

Environmental Protection– Use of natural features for stormwater controls – green infrastructure– Unloading inside buildings (dust and litter control)– Liquid containment and storage for off-site treatment

21

Optional City Collection Services

Residential collection

Pubic / private partnership with collection practices and curbside “totes”

Economy through efficiencies with processing facilities

Implementation of single stream recycling:

Number of employees variable depending on route coverage (est. 10)

(Curbside Totes)

32 gal 64 gal 96 gal

22

Critical Success Factors

Receipt of site assignment

Prevent “rate shock” following closure of the City Landfill

Regulatory compliance

Must be adaptable to changing waste streams

Develop community acceptance

Create revenue potential for the City - Partnership

23

Advantages

Local jobs (30 – 50)

Timing – operational within three years

Flexibility– adapt, change, grow with

sustainable environmental solution

– Building capacity available for increased recycling

– Organics processing

Host fees

Potentially diversified revenue

WeCare Mixed Waste Composting FacilityMarlborough, MA

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Community Benefits - City of Taunton

Local employment

Flexibility of service

ECOPARK accessible to major transportation routes

Host fees

Public / private partnership (diversification, growth, program development)

Sized appropriately for market opportunities

Economically sustainable (jobs, taxes, fees)

Payments to City of Taunton begin 2013

25

Community Engagement

Transparent process: site assignment, permitting, MEPA

City review and input on a regular basis

Public information and feedback

Continued development of recycling programs

Educational outreach and partnership

Proactive communication – project website

WeCare administrative offices in Taunton

Neighborhood Advisory Committee during operations

We will become a part of the community.

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Financial Incentives to City of Taunton

Contractor Payments for City Project Development Cost – $500,000 (with first payment in January 2013)

Site Lease Payments – City-owned site – $220,000 per year

Host Community Payment ~ $930,000 per year

NAC Payment – $20,000 per year

Annual Operations Monitoring Cost – $115,000 per year

Revenue Sharing – 30% of gross profits from Materials Recovery Facility

Curbside Collection Contract Savings – est. savings ~ $150,000 - $200,000 per year

City Acceptable Waste Tip Fee Paid to WeCare:

– Solid Waste – $55 to $60 per ton, depending on annual volume– Dewatered Sludge Cake – $60 per ton

Overall net financial gain to the City of Taunton27

Project Timeline

28

Summary

Integrated waste management solution

Maximizes recycling opportunities

Lowers biosolids disposal cost

Stabilizes long-term waste disposal cost

Minimizes risks to the City

Adaptable to changing waste streams

Waste is already secured

Between 30 and 50 local jobs

Prepared to proceed immediately

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