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HomeMy WebLinkAboutITEM VII. Composting and Bulk Waste PresentationOshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board 6.02.2025 Kelly Reyer Education & Outreach Specialist Winnebago County Solid Waste Who We Are: Our mission is to provide competitive, cost-efficient Solid Waste Management services for solid waste and recyclable materials from our municipal partnerships and other Winnebago County customers. SOLID WASTE HAZARDOUS WASTE RECYCLING RESIDENTIAL DROP-OFF AREA Solid Waste Transfer Station Recycling Transfer Station We receive 13-16 trucks of recycling each day - 5 days a week! Other Recycling Options – On Site •Other recycling known as "beyond the bin" recycling •Electronics, appliance, tire, bulb, battery, used motor oil & antifreeze, used cooking oil, scrap metal •Yard waste grinding Material Recovery Facility (MRF) •Opened July of 2009 in Appleton •One of the largest publicly-owned and operated MRFs in the country! •Expanded service area: •Most of NE Wisconsin + UP communities •Services over 16% of Wisconsin’s population •Processes 80,000 tons/year •11.3% residual rate (below the average of 15-20%) Composting Outreach in Winnebago County •Compost bin sales – alternate years •Sold full pallet in 2024 (18 total bins) •Promote backyard composting through social media (including International Compost Awareness Week) •Encourage low-cost food waste recovery/beneficial use option Composting Options in Winnebago County Current: •Backyard residential composting •Private vendor pickup •Yard waste drop-off Potential Future Options: •Reinstate biodigester in Oshkosh? •Municipal program development (ex. City of Oshkosh) •Public/private partnerships Composting Program Spatial Considerations The space needed for a municipal composting operation varies significantly depending on the size of the operation, composting method, and regulatory requirements.Factors Influencing Space Needs: Composting Method: •Different methods like windrow composting, covered composting, or in-vessel have different space requirements. Volume of Material: •The amount of waste the facility handles will directly influence the size of the composting area. Equipment: •Equipment like loaders, turners, and sorting equipment will also require dedicated space. Curing Space: •Space is needed for the compost to mature and cure after the active composting process is complete. Regulatory Requirements: •Local zoning and permitting requirements will dictate the required buffer zones and other spatial restrictions. Land Grading: •Consistent grading and slope for efficient drainage and to minimize potential for ponding and odor issues are important. Bulk Waste Disposal •Bulk Waste is accepted for drop-off disposal at our location during regular operational hours •Some cities hold special collection events Considerations: •Cost – how is it covered? •Frequency •Accepted/banned materials •Staff for pickup •Hauling requirements (equipment) •Aesthetics/complaints •Contamination Sustainability at Winnebago County Solid Waste Current: •Gas to energy conversion • Ken Robl Conservation Park • Solar panels on main office building • Beyond-the-bin recycling options (tires, bulbs, metals, yard waste, used motor oil, used cooking oil, e-waste, and more!) • County-wide Holiday String Light Recycling Program • Raising beetles for purple loosestrife biocontrol • Resource conservation & recycling outreach & education • Free digital tools to help residents recycle right Future: •Native plant installation • Goats for grazing and invasive species control (currently investigating this option) Thank You! Questions? Kelly Reyer Education & Outreach Specialist Winnebago County Solid Waste kreyer@winnebagocountywi.gov O: 920-232-1802 & C: 920-410-5227