County finishes renovations to Colburn Solid Waste Facility – Sandpoint Reader

Report on the Modernization of the Bonner County Solid Waste Colburn Facility

Introduction

Bonner County has concluded a comprehensive, two-year modernization project at the Solid Waste Colburn Facility. The $6.5 million initiative was undertaken to upgrade the 30-year-old site, enhancing its capacity, efficiency, and environmental safety. This report details the project’s scope, outcomes, and significant contributions to achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Project Rationale: Addressing Urban Growth and SDG 11

The original facility, designed with a five-year life expectancy in the mid-1990s, was ill-equipped to handle the county’s substantial growth. This directly relates to SDG 11, Target 11.6, which calls for reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including waste management. The necessity for the project is underscored by the following data:

• Municipal solid waste generation in the mid-1990s was approximately 19,300 tons.
• By 2020, this volume increased to 45,307 tons, exceeding the national per capita average.

The expansion was critical for developing resilient and sustainable infrastructure capable of serving the community’s current and future needs.

Infrastructure Upgrades and Alignment with SDGs 9 and 12

The facility’s redesign focuses on creating operational efficiencies and promoting sustainable practices, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Key improvements include:

1. Redesigned Layout: A new site configuration prevents traffic congestion and streamlines the movement of waste to the final disposal site in Adams County, Washington.
2. Asphalt Tipping Floor: This feature allows residents and commercial contractors to unload waste more easily and safely, replacing the previous system of lifting materials into dumpsters.
3. Enhanced Sorting Process: The new layout encourages users to organize materials, facilitating recycling and proper disposal. The recommended order is:
   • Recycling
   • Household Trash
   • Wood, Metal, and Tires

   This process directly supports SDG 12, Target 12.5, which aims to substantially reduce waste generation through recycling.

4. Site Durability and Safety: The project included durable resurfacing, new road signage, and improved water access, creating a safer and cleaner environment for the public and staff.

Environmental Protection and Water Management (SDG 6)

A primary objective of the renovation was to address environmental concerns. The implementation of improved drainage systems is a crucial measure for environmental protection. This enhancement directly contributes to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Target 6.3, by minimizing the risk of water contamination from waste runoff, thereby helping to protect local water resources.

Sustainable Financial Model and Fee Structure

The project was completed $16,000 under its $6.5 million budget, demonstrating fiscally responsible management. To ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the county’s waste management services, the Bonner County board of commissioners has approved a revised fee structure. This model ensures equitable contribution from all property types, including short-term rentals.

Key Fee Structure Changes:

• Residential User Fee: A fee of $194 provides two stickers for each occupiable dwelling unit.
• Application: The fee will be applied to building permit applications starting December 1.
• Non-Sticker Holders: A fee of $20 per yard of garbage is now in effect, with a one-yard minimum.
• Special Waste: Additional fees may be incurred for specific items such as tires.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

The article on the renovation of the Bonner County Solid Waste Colburn Facility addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on infrastructure development, waste management, environmental protection, and sustainable community services.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  This goal is central to the article, which details a significant infrastructure project. The renovation of a 30-year-old facility that was “too small for the volumes of trash” into a modern, efficient site directly relates to building resilient infrastructure.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article’s core subject is municipal solid waste management, a key component of sustainable communities. The project aims to manage the county’s skyrocketing waste generation, which grew from “19,300 tons” in the mid-1990s to “45,307 tons” by 2020, directly addressing the challenge of reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities and settlements.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  This goal is connected through the theme of waste generation and management. While the article focuses more on managing existing waste, it touches on promoting recycling. The new layout encourages users to “organize their trash with recycling first,” which is a step towards more sustainable waste management practices and reducing the final volume of waste sent to landfill.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The project’s environmental considerations link to this goal. The article mentions that the “improvements were essential for environmental concerns” and highlights “improved drainage and water access.” This implies efforts to prevent pollution from the waste facility, which is crucial for protecting local water quality.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities

   By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The entire project is a direct response to the overwhelming increase in municipal solid waste in Bonner County. The article states the old site was “too small for the volumes of trash we handle” and the improvements were designed to “accommodate increasing amounts of trash” and address “environmental concerns,” which aligns perfectly with this target’s focus on municipal waste management.

2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure

   Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being. The article describes the replacement of a facility that was “over 30 years old” and built for a “five-year life expectancy” with a new, efficient design. The “$6.5 million improvements,” including a durable “tipping floor” and better roads, represent a clear investment in developing quality and resilient infrastructure to serve the community’s needs.

3. Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation

   By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse. The article highlights the problem of increasing waste generation, which this target aims to solve. While the primary focus is on managing this increase, the new facility’s layout, which encourages users to separate recyclables first, is a practical measure that supports this target by facilitating recycling.

4. Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution

   By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. The article’s mention of “improved drainage” as part of the renovation is a direct action aimed at managing water flow on the site. This is a critical aspect of waste facility management to prevent contaminated runoff (leachate) from polluting nearby ground and surface water, thereby contributing to this target.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

The article provides both quantitative and qualitative information that can serve as indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets.

• Indicator for Target 11.6 (Municipal Waste Management)

  The article provides direct data on the amount of municipal solid waste generated, which is a key indicator.

  • Quantitative Data: The volume of municipal solid waste generated increased from “approximately 19,300 tons” in the mid-1990s to “45,307 tons” by 2020. This data measures the scale of the waste management challenge the county faces. The success of the new facility can be measured by its capacity to safely and efficiently manage this volume.

• Indicator for Target 9.1 (Infrastructure Development)

  Progress can be measured by the investment and outcomes of the infrastructure project.

  • Financial Investment: The project involved a “$6.5 million” investment, indicating a significant commitment to improving infrastructure. The fact that it came in “$16,000 under budget” is an indicator of efficient project management.
  • Operational Efficiency: The article implies improved efficiency by stating the new design prevents “traffic jams” and allows contractors to “dump and go rather than unload by hand.” This qualitative data indicates the new infrastructure is more reliable and effective.

• Indicator for Target 12.5 (Waste Reduction/Recycling)

  While the article doesn’t provide recycling rates, it implies an action intended to improve them.

  • Implied Behavioral Change: The suggestion for users to “organize their trash with recycling first, household trash second and then wood, metal and tires third” implies an effort to increase the rate of recycling and material separation. An indicator would be the tonnage of recycled materials collected at the facility post-renovation compared to pre-renovation.

• Indicator for Target 6.3 (Water Quality)

  The indicator for this target is qualitative and based on the infrastructure improvements.

  • Qualitative Improvement: The mention of “improved drainage and water access” serves as a qualitative indicator of measures taken to mitigate environmental risks, specifically water pollution from the dump site. This indicates progress in managing the facility in an environmentally safer manner.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sandpointreader.com