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Compost Facility
Notice given by: Councillor Killick
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BUDGET POSTPONED MOTION:
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City to resume accepting the drop off by residents of sod and dirt at the compost facility at an estimated cost of $xx,xxx and adjust the 2022 utility rates accordingly.
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Administration’s Understanding of the Intent of the Motion:
That the City accept sod and dirt for disposal at the Compost Depot. The City will then transfer this material for disposal to a landfill, costs for this will be reflected in the 2022 utility rates.
Operational or Organizational Impacts if Motion is Approved:
Residents can access the Compost depot for disposal of dirt and sod, however, as dirt and sod are not compostable materials, the City will remove this material from the depot and take it to an approved disposal location, likely Roseridge landfill.
Additional staffing (temporary, seasonal) during peak hours would be required to ensure the waste is from City of St. Albert residents and not contractors.
Contract management of trucking company to haul this waste to landfill.
Financial Implications of Motions:
Historically, an estimated total of 1000 metric tons of material were disposed of annually at the Compost Depot (this is anecdotal from staff on site as there is no weigh scale at this location, and weights can vary dependent on wet or dry conditions). Disposal at Roseridge Regional Landfill $52/Mt (current rates) therefore approximately $52,000 in landfill charges is predicted.
Trucking costs based on Alberta Road Builders rates - $25,000
Casual staffing during weekday peak times and weekends - $16,000
Estimated total without contingency - $93,000
Stakeholder Consultations:
Communication of the change through advertising and social media as well as an update to the Service Level Inventory will be required as residents currently are aware that this service is no longer offered.
Background:
The Compost depot on Villeneuve Road accepts organic and compostable debris from residents but does not accept materials such as dirt and sod as they are not compostable and therefore are landfill materials. Typically, sod and dirt are mineral soils made up of varying amounts of sand, silt, and clay. While these components of soil are vital for plant growth, as they provide soil structure, erosion control and store water, they do not supply plants or decomposers with nutrients like organic materials. Bacteria, fungi, and decomposers cannot breakdown mineral soils and turn it into compost.
While dirt and sod were accepted in the past to use for on-site snow storage control and sound attenuation for noise pollution around the temporary snow site behind the Compost Depot, the snow site is no longer utilized and thus, soils (dirt and sod) are not accepted.
Currently residents are asked to dispose of waste materials in their brown garbage cart which for a small amount of material, would not exceed the 200 pound maximum weight allowed, and could be spread over multiple collection dates if necessary. In alignment with other municipalities in the Edmonton region, we currently ask residents to dispose of large quantities sod or dirt by visiting a City of Edmonton facility (https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/garbage_waste/garbage-drop-off-facilities.aspx).
It is also important to note that the permit from the province to operate the Compost Depot is for compostable material only, defined in the permit, and soils are not listed, therefore the permit with Alberta Environment and Parks would have to be amended (if possible) to include this material.
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Report Date: December 2, 2021
Author(s): Jay Mason
Committee/Department: Public Operations
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble