SEWARD TRANSFER FACILITY (STF)

Located:  End of Dimond Road, North of Town 

8:00 AM - 5:45 PM         Monday - Saturday

Noon - 4:00 PM      Sunday

Location

Seward Transfer Facility (located at the end of Dimond Blvd., approximately 3 miles north of downtown Seward)
3200 Dimond Blvd.
Seward, AK 99664
907-224-5327

Background

The site was originally established by the City of Seward and operated as an open dump until the Borough assumed  operations in 1974.  A new transfer facility was constructed in 1991 and the landfill was closed.  The new facility commenced operations on January 2, 1992 and normally receives 4,800 to 6,000 tons of solid waste per year.

The STF is located along the edge of the Resurrection River in an area of high water table and highly permeable soils. A river training structure was constructed along the river in 1979 and a 1,200-foot extension added in 1991. The dike protects the closed landfill from flooding during heavy rains.

Because of limited space at this site, attempts were made to relocate the landfill. Several locations were considered, but all were publicly opposed or deemed not suitable for landfill use. One of the recommendations of Resolution 90-41 was to close the Seward Landfill and construct a transfer facility at the same location. It was determined that transferring Seward's waste to the Central Peninsula Landfill (CPL) in Soldotna was preferable, both financially and environmentally.

During the summer of 1997, an inert waste landfill (monofill) was opened at the STF for acceptance of specific type materials such as, construction demolition debris and wood waste.

Facility

The facility includes a 6,000 square feet building with a transfer trailer bay, commercial and public disposal areas (tipping floor), a vehicle maintenance area, administrative space, recycle room, and paved parking/driving pads.

Operations

Operation hours are Monday through Saturday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:45 P.M. and Sunday from noon to 4:00 P.M.

The STF receives municipal solid waste, appliances, construction/demolition debris, wood/landclearing debris, and junk vehicles, etc. The public and commercial waste haulers deposit waste onto the tipping floor and recycle items are placed in bins.

Municipal Solid Waste (household waste) is deposited in the transfer building and placed in 100 to 120 cubic yard transfer trailers.  Once the trailers are filled they are transported to the Central Peninsula Landfill  (averaging 15 to 22 tons per trip)..

Materials such as scrap metal, appliances, construction/demolition debris (concrete, asphalt, shingles, sheetrock, etc.), and wood/landclearing debris is deposited in the inert waste monofill.  Wood wastes are consolidated and burned several times a year.  Junk automobiles and some metals are stockpiled and shipping to recycle markets.

Some of the waste requiring special management includes used oil and lead acid batteries, which are accepted daily, and hazardous waste collection conducted periodically throughout the year. Refrigerators and freezers are separated from the waste, sent to the CPL in the transfer trailer and drained of all refrigerants prior to disposal. Asbestos is accepted only at the CPL.

Monitoring

One condition of landfill closure required by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) is post-closure monitoring for a specified period of time. There are six water monitoring wells surrounding this facility, which are sampled twice per year. A drainage ditch, which borders the site, is sampled annually.

Environmental monitoring also includes screening waste for hazardous waste exclusion. SEE HAZARDOUS WASTE

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, tires, etc. The STF does not have weigh scales, so disposal is charged by the vehicle size.  Fees are charged based on the vehicles carrying capacity regardless of the size or content of the load. 

STF loads are charged as follows:

Sales tax shall be added as applicable.

 Recycling

The Operator is responsible for the recycling program, although the Borough mandates the type and amount of recyclables collected. The Operator receives the revenue from the sale of these materials.

The STF has small doors in the side of the building that allow disposers to deposit recyclables directly into the building and containers outside the building for additional recycling.

The materials collected for recycling include:

SEE RECYCLING SECTION

Recycle Tonnages

Solid Waste Tonnages - Transferred

Less Recycle Tonnages

 SITE RULES

Facility rules and restrictions are as follows:

Facility Wastes. Public vehicles deposit waste through the south side doors. Large or commercial vehicles deposit waste through the large overhead door.

Recycling. Presorted recyclables such as newspaper, flattened corrugated cardboard, mixed paper, and aluminum cans are accepted through the small doors on the south side of the building. Mixed container glass is accepted outside in a container located at the corner of the building by the small doors.  PET#1 and HDPE#2 plastics are accepted in two 40CY roll off containers on the north side of the parking pad. SEE RECYCLING SECTION

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.

Automobiles. Batteries, oil, fuel and other hazardous liquids (i.e. brake fluid, antifreeze, etc.) or materials must be removed. A vehicles check off list may be obtained from the STF attendant. A vehicle disposal form must be completed submitted to site personnel for each vehicle being disposed (available at the facility). 

Asbestos. Asbestos is accepted at the CPL in Soldotna only.   SEE CPL

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 SECTION

Staging Area Wastes. Staging areas are maintained for construction/demolition debris, metals and wood/landclearing debris. These wastes must be separated by waste type and reduced in size to lengths of no more than six feet prior to deposit in the proper area. Metal banding should be cut into six-foot lengths, placed in a drum/container or bundled, and then be disposed in the metals staging area.

Miscellaneous Wastes. Disposers of unusual wastes, large quantities, or wastes that require special handling must coordinate with the operator and/or Borough prior to disposal. These materials may include, but will not be limited to, animal carcasses, small amounts of containerized kitchen grease, ashes, large amounts of wood waste, large amounts of construction/demolition waste, fishing nets, etc.

Large Disposal Projects. Disposal is limited to no more than 150 cubic yards per site/project.  Projects larger than 150 CY will require permission by the Borough, prior to disposal.  The disposer must provide a written request to the Borough describing project location, waste types, estimated quantities and projected disposal schedule. The Borough will then determine how and where the materials will be accepted. If it is determined the material type/s cannot be handled at the STF, the disposer may be required to transport the materials to the CPL in Soldotna. 

Prohibited Wastes. Disposal of hazardous waste, paint, chemicals, solvents, batteries, contaminated oil, sewage, soils, pesticides, seafood processing waste, explosives, overburden/peat, infectious waste, waste liquids, fluorescent light bulbs, radioactive waste, asbestos containing materials, and hot ashes is PROHIBITED in the transfer trailers or dumpsters.

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 transported in the trailer. 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 facility are not only subject to charge, but may be rejected if easy sorting is not possible.

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