Estimated Cost for Transfer Facility
December 5, 2001

Estimated Costs to Develop and Run a Transfer Facility
There are really only two options for solid waste disposal in the greater Greenville area: bury it in a landfill or haul it away to another facility. The later course of action utilizes something called a transfer station, where solid waste in different forms is collected and then hauled away to an appropriate destination point. Waste Management, Inc. in Norridgewock and Penobscot Energy Recovery Corporation (PERC) are the two nearest destination points.

Sean Bolen, Greenville rubbish collection contractor and operator for the Lily Bay Transfer Station has assisted me in the development of the following costs. I feel they represent a fair and accurate estimate of what our costs would be TODAY if we were to ship all of our solid waste to Waste Management in Norridgewock (20 miles closer to Greenville than PERC). Still, these are only estimates. But I think they speak for themselves.

Below, please find an estimate for solid waste collection, transportation, and tipping fee costs at the indicated destination point. The same calculation has been done for demolition debris. Costs for metal and tire removal is taken from last year's actual costs: these costs remain constant regardless of whether we are running a landfill or a transfer station. On-going engineering costs are estimated for the transfer station: initial set-up costs will be higher, we believe. Total set-up costs are listed at the end, as are the estimated landfill closure and post-closure costs, which will be on going.

In the final analysis, two concepts are apparent. First, the more material we can recycle will be the more material we keep from filling up our landfill, and therefore delay a large expense. Second, the more recycled material which can be spared from the waste stream once we are literally paying by the ton will yield us a direct cost savings BY THE POUND!.

Therefore, my recommendation is for the Board of Selectmen to take steps to institute a mandatory-recycling ordinance for the Town of Greenville and for all entities participating in our landfill. The more we recycle, the lower the cost will be years from now when the Town makes the transition from landfill to transfer station.

Respectfully submitted;

John Simko
Town Manager

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL COSTS – TRANSFER STATION

Current volume per year solid waste deposited at landfill: 5,500 cubic yards.

Estimated total volume solid waste necessary to haul from a transfer station Town per week : two 48' trailer loads (compacted).

2 trailer loads per week @ 12 tons/load = 24 tons per week

24 tons per week @ $61.50/ton tipping fee = $1,476/week

2 trips per week @ $350/trip for trailer to be hauled to Norridgewock and back = $700

Total cost for tipping fees and transportation per week = $2,176

$2,176 per week X 52 weeks = $113,152 per year for transportation and tipping fees

TIRE AND METAL DISPOSAL COSTS

Last year's costs for tire and waste metal disposal = $10,375

DEMOLITION DEBRIS DISPOSAL COSTS – TRANSFER STATION

½ trailer load per week @ 12 tons/load = 6 tons per week

6 tons per week @ $61.50/ton = $369/week

Transportation cost per week = $350/week

Total weekly demolition debris disposal cost= $719

52 weeks @ $719/week = $37,388 / year

TOTAL TRANSPORTATION & TIPPING FEES FOR ALL WASTE MATERIALS = $160,915 / year

TRANSFER STATION ANNUAL COSTS

Labor costs for attendant = $8.50/hr. for 30 hours per week = $255 week
$255 X 1.05 for fringe benefits = $267.75
Annual cost (52 weeks) = $13,923

Equipment costs (loader, snow removal, sanding, compactor maintenance – no capital costs included) $1,500

Electricity & heat = $6,000

Estimated annual engineering cost = $5,000

TOTAL EST. ANNUAL COSTS FOR TRANSFER STATION: $26,423

TOTAL ESTIMATED ANNUAL COSTS TO RUN TRANSFER STATION, ALL OPERATING AND DISPOSAL COSTS INCLUDED: $187,338

CURRENT YEAR'S BUDGET FOR LANDFILL, INCLUDING ALL DEBT SERVICE AND RESERVE ACCOUNTS: $178,223

ESTIMATED LANDFILL CLOSURE COSTS (FULL CAPACITY: $471,000

ESTIMATED ANNUAL POST-CLOSURE COSTS: $9,000 YEAR ONE
MUST CONTINUE FOR 30 YEARS – ANNUAL COST WILL DECLINE OVER TIME

ESTIMATED START-UP COSTS FOR TRANSFER STATION

Estimated start-up costs for facility (ramp for trailer / compactor, cement slab for metal pickup, etc.) $25,000

Initial engineering costs for design and implementation of transfer station $10,000

Compactor-trailer purchase (new) $60,000

Total estimated start-up costs (assuming land cost to be $0): $95,000

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