Sustainable Landscapes

Using Waste Sustainably

Michael D. Pavelek II

Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority

Using Waste Sustainably

• Mission of the Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority is to:– Manage and dispose of Lebanon County’s

waste in a manner that protects the health and safety of the public, our workers, and the quality of the environment.

– To this end, GLRA attempts to implement sustainability in our projects and on site.

Using Waste Sustainably

• GLRA History– GLRA has occupied the current site for 50 years.– Has a Board Member representing each incorporated

Municipality within Lebanon County (25)– GLRA operates:

• 5 landfills, 4 of which are closed.• Compost Facility for “Green Waste”.• Natural Aquatic Life Waste Water Treatment System.

Using Waste Sustainably

– GLRA Operates, continued:• Non-Coal Surface Mining Operation (Soil)• Renewable Energy Educational Facility

– Wind Turbine– Solar Array– Landfill Gas to Energy

• Recycling Facility and Educational Programs• Educational Campus & Wildlife Habitat Areas

Using Waste Sustainably

• Sustainably Features:– Landfill Gas to Energy Project with PPL

supplies 10% of Lebanon County’s Electrical Demand from landfill gas.

– Composting and Recycling reduce landfill space requirements.

– Marketing of by-products such as compost, wood chips, CO2 Off Set Credits and landfill gas enhance sustainability of operations.

Using Waste Sustainably

• Benefits of Sustainability– Community participation.– Use of site as “Educational Campus.”– Benefits of programs are visible to citizenry.– Students may receive a “hands on”

understanding of environmental issues and stewardship.

Using Waste Sustainably

• Feature Presentation:

– “Sustainable Landscapes in a Non-Coal Surface Mining Operation.” 

Using Waste Sustainably

• Sustainable Landscapes in a Non-Coal Surface Mining Operation– The Challenge: Find a way to use the soil

from farmland for landfill operations without diminishing the ability of the land to produce historic crops the scenic beauty of the land or the value of the land.

Using Waste Sustainably

• Sustainable Landscapes in a Non-Coal Surface Mining Operation– The solution:

• Remove the top soil to a depth of approximately two feet and stockpile this.

• Mine the subsoil and use this for landfill operations.

• Restore the land to engineered grade.• Replace the topsoil and crops.

Using Waste Sustainably

• Sustainable Landscapes in a Non-Coal Surface Mining Operation– Costs:

• Soil Depth and Specifications• Determine Grades and Site Plans• Hydrology, Sediment & Erosion Controls• Permits, Bonds & Insurance• Extraction and Transportation Operations• Advertising, contracting and payment to

landowner.

Using Waste Sustainably

• Sustainable Landscapes in a Non-Coal Surface Mining Operation

• Benefits:– Availability of soil without use of eminent domain.

(Landowners participate through bids to sell soil.)– Preservation of farmland - No Change to County

Soil Maps.– Savings in transportation cost. (Notable)– Savings from soil purchase vs. purchase of land.– Avoided legal fees – eminent domain.

Using Waste Sustainably

• Conclusion:

• GLRA’s adoption of Sustainability practices in the Non-Coal Surface Mining Operation is a benefit to the community, the environment, and the public we serve at a net cost saving.

• Questions?

Using Waste Sustainably

• Sustainable Landscapes in a Non-Coal Surface Mining Operation– Photos follow.