CENTRAL PENINSULA LANDFILL (CPL)

(907) 262-9423

Located: 2.5 miles south of Soldotna - Mile 98.5 Sterling Highway

Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:45 PM Daily

Location

The CPL is located 2.5 miles south of Soldotna at mile 98.5 of the Sterling Highway.

Background

The landfill was established in 1969 by the City of Soldotna and operated by the city, or its contractor, until 1974 when the Borough assumed control.

Borough staff researched various landfill options including looking for new sites and evaluating several waste processing methods such as refuse derived fuel, composting, recycling, landfilling, etc. In 1990, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly adopted Resolution of Recommendation 90-41 for improvements at Borough solid waste facilities. Final recommendations for the CPL included construction of a baling facility, a lined disposal cell and a leachate collection and treatment system at the existing location.

1992 Construction

The construction of the 13,000 square foot facility was completed in 1992. Site improvements included vehicle scales and an attendant shed; loading conveyor and Mosely baling machine; tipping areas; vehicle maintenance area and administrative space; hazardous waste, used oil and vehicle battery collection stations; water well, pumphouse and storage tank; recycling area; paved and graveled roads, parking areas, and some landfill improvements.

The design, utilities, facility construction and landfill improvements cost approximately $4.7 million. The project was funded in part through an ADEC grant, legislative grant and the issuance of general obligation bonds.

In addition to landfill improvements, approximately $2,083,000 was expended to purchase properties surrounding the CPL. Research for a new landfill location determined that new site development costs would be higher than obtaining additional land adjacent to the existing landfill. The purchase assures additional development and operational area well into the future and provides a large buffer surrounding the landfill area. The landfill and buffer properties encompass an estimated 620 acres.

Currently, the CPL receives municipal solid waste (MSW), construction/demolition and landclearing waste, wastewater treatment plant sludges, asbestos, junk vehicles, etc. The estimated annual tonnage is 48,000 to 53,000 tons (16 to 400 tons/day) and the operating hours are 8:00 A.M. to 5:45 P.M., seven days per week.

The landfill serves areas from as far south as Ninilchik, all of the Central Peninsula, and the eastern peninsula (Seward, Hope and all communities in between).  An estimated 75% of the Borough population is served by the landfill.

The waste is weighed and vehicles are directed to the appropriate disposal area, either in the building on the tipping floor, to the working face of the landfill, or to another designated area.

Cell Development 2002-2005

The closed landfill area (vertical fill) reached capacity in 2006 and was covered with a geosynthetic clay liner, topsoil, and seeded in 2006.

Federal and State regulations require liner installation and extensive environmental controls with any new or expanded landfill.  To address these requirements, improvements were constructed at the CPL - the Borough's main regional landfill.

The October 2002 election authorized the issuance of solid waste bonds in the amount of $12,000,000 to finance the construction and equipping the CPL.  $7,040,000 of the authorized amount was issued in May 2003 for the first phase.  It is anticipated that the remaining amount of $4,960,000 will be issued in approximately 2009.

Improvements at CPL included construction of a cell with an impermeable bottom liner, leachate (water passing through the waste) and gas collection systems leachate lagoon and tank, leachate loading station, stormwater collection and sediment lagoon, mechanical/pump building, extensive fencing, parking pads and roads, and other related upgrades.  Construction of the first cell and related improvements began Summer 2003 and was completed by October 2005.

Each landfill cell will have a useable capacity of approximately five years, so a new lined cell will need to be planned and constructed approximately once every five years for the next 30-50 years (estimated site life). Although the useable life of each cell is only about five years, the associated leachate collection and treatment facilities will be in use for a much longer period.

Cell 1 development encompasses 9.3 acres.  Waste will be deposited into the lined cell and compacted.  The leachate that is collected and temporarily held in the lagoon and tank will be recirculated back through the waste to enhance decomposition (providing more space) and to reduce or eliminate the need to haul water to a wastewater treatment plant for disposal.  Leachate management utilizing recirculation is anticipated to provide operational cost savings since the Borough will not have to pay to haul water to a wastewater plant and pay for disposal.

The current recycling program will continue to divert as much material as possible from burial.  Additionally, construction and demolition debris, asbestos, wood waste, and other materials not requiring burial in a lined cell will be managed in separate areas of the site. 

Borough Operations

On January 1, 2005, the Borough commenced operations of the CPL with Borough staff.

The Borough has contracted operations since 1974.  However, contracting the Borough's primary solid waste responsibility was no longer practical due to factors including, but not limited to, increasing contract costs, limited contract competition, costs for additional services to address changed/modified work, regulatory changes requiring continual program modifications, extensive work requirements and liabilities due to the new lined landfill, leachate and gas management systems.

Eleven Borough employees were hired to replace the previously contracted positions.  Borough staff now performs the core operations, constructs improvements in the new cell, performs baler maintenance/repairs and assists with other solid waste programs and work at other Borough facilities.

Recycling revenue is now paid to the Borough; 2006 revenues were in excess of $40,000.

Monitoring

Environmental monitoring programs are in place for groundwater, surface water and gas. Nine groundwater monitoring wells surrounding the facility are alternatively sampled four times per year and nearby Arc Lake is sampled annually. Methane gas is monitored quarterly.  Environmental monitoring for gas, water, waste stabilization, and settlement will be extensive with the new cell development.

Fees

In May, 1993, the Borough began charging fees for solid waste disposal of commercial/business wastes when delivered in vehicles with carrying capacity of five (5) cubic yards or more. Fees are charged only for specific wastes items which include, but are not limited to, construction/demolition, landclearing, junk vehicles, asbestos, tires, wastes which require special handling, waste from cruise ships, etc.

CPL loads are charged as follows:

Sales tax is added when applicable.

Recycling

The CPL has an extensive recycling program. Collection containers are setup outside the public drop off area for convenient disposal. The materials collected for recycling include:

The solid waste baler is used to compact most of recyclables collected prior to the materials being sent to market.

Since it is not practical or cost effective to transport glass great distances for recycling, and because there is a beneficial use locally, the Operator has utilized the glass locally in road projects as a sub-base material. The Borough utilized some crushed glass in the paving at the CPL and continues to research alternative local reuse of glass.

See Recycling and Waste Related Programs

CPL Recycle Tonnages

CPL Solid Waste Tonnages

Less Recycle Tonnages

SITE RULES

Wastes which can not be baled are deposited in designated staging areas where materials are stored until they can be recycled, burned or buried. Facility rules and restrictions are as follows:

Facility Wastes   Public vehicles deposit waste through small overhead doors and large or commercial vehicles deposit waste through the large overhead doors or in directly in the landfill.

Recycling   Presorted recyclables such as newspaper, mixed container glass, flattened corrugated cardboard, mixed paper, clear plastic milk jugs, transparent plastic drink containers, tin cans and aluminum cans are accepted in designated containers. See Recycling and Waste Related Programs

Used Oil and Oil Filters Up to 10 gallons of used oil per day and no more than 25 gallons per month will be accepted after inspection by the site operator to ensure that it is free of contaminants (no water, solvents, etc.). Contaminated oil must be disposed through the KPB hazardous waste program. Up to four used oil filters may be disposed per month.

Vehicle Batteries  Vehicle batteries (10 per year) are accepted and placed in totes.

Household Batteries  AA, AAA, 9 Volt, C, D, Nicad, and other small household type batteries are accepted in designated collection containers.

Fluorescent Bulbs/Lamps Fluorescent bulbs from homeowners and small businesses can be disposed of at the CPL with a limit of 10 bulbs per month. There is no charge to homeowners for fluorescent bulb disposal.

Small Quantities of Hazardous Waste   Households and small businesses can dispose of hazardous waste and chemicals through the Borough's hazardous waste program. See Hazardous Waste Info

Staging Area Wastes   Staging areas are provided for metals, vehicles, concrete/rock/masonry and landclearing/wood debris. These wastes are handled differently and must be delivered segregated from rubbish, food wastes, general office waste, etc. and reduced in size to no more than six feet. Size restriction exemptions may be granted by the site Operator or Borough on a case by case basis.

Automobiles   Batteries, oil, fuel and other hazardous liquids (i.e. brake fluid, antifreeze, etc.) or materials must be removed. A vehicle check off list can be obtained from the CPL attendant or by calling the Borough. A disposal form (available at the facility) must be signed by the disposer prior to acceptance of the vehicle. 

Appliances   Appliances containing refrigerants (refrigerators, freezers, vending machines, etc.) must be placed in a designated stockpile location so refrigerants can properly be removed.

Asbestos   Asbestos is accepted at the CPL only. The fee for asbestos containing material is $200/ton, including disposed containers, and is accepted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays prior to 2:00 PM. An appointment must be made through the Borough office at least 24 hours in advance of disposal. Non-friable asbestos is subject to the same fees as friable asbestos. Asbestos containing materials must not exceed six feet in size. Size restriction exemptions may be granted by the site Operator or Borough on a case by case basis.

Miscellaneous Wastes   Disposers of unusual wastes, large quantities, or wastes requiring special handling must coordinate with the Operator and/or Borough prior to disposal. These materials include, but will not be limited to, animal/fish carcasses, kitchen grease, ashes, large amounts of wood waste, construction/demolition waste, drums, fishing nets, metal banding, etc.

Prohibited Wastes   Disposal of hazardous waste, paint, chemicals, solvents, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, contaminated oil, sewage, soils, pesticides, seafood processing waste, explosives, overburden/peat, infectious waste, waste liquids, radioactive waste, and hot ashes is PROHIBITED.

Segregation and Refusal of Waste   The Borough or its representative has the right to refuse waste based on volume, content, improper identification, segregation, or size. The Borough may limit acceptance of any item at any site based on capacity or ability to handle the waste. Waste segregation is required by disposers and consists of separation of large items and waste that cannot be baled. Proper segregation of waste such as construction/demolition debris, wood waste, landclearing debris, tires, metal, clean drums, wiring, banding, boat/automotive parts, etc. is not only required, but it will also minimize disposal costs. Mixed loads that result in difficulty offloading or sorting at the baling facility, may not only subject to charge, but may be rejected if easy sorting is not possible.

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