HomeMy WebLinkAbout5405_LenoirTS_Assessment-20210614
68 Shipwash Drive, Garner, NC 27529 Phone: 919-772-5393 Fax: 919-772-1176
License No. C-0281
www.mesco.com
June 14, 2021
Ms. Sherri Stanley
NCDEQ Solid Waste Section
217 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
Sent via email to: sherri.stanley@ncdenr.gov
RE: Transfer Station Assessment Report
Lenoir County Transfer Station
Permit No. 5405T-TRANSFER-1998
LaGrange, North Carolina
Dear Ms. Stanley,
On behalf of Lenoir County Solid Waste, I am attaching the completed assessment report for the
referenced facility, required to be submitted to the North Carolina Division of Waste Management, Solid
Waste Section on or before June 30, 2021. The attached report was completed in accordance with the
requirements at Title 15A, North Carolina Administrative Code, Subchapter 13B, Rule .0400 –
TRANSFER STATIONS, specifically Rule .0401(b).
Please contact us via phone or email below if you require additional information.
Sincerely,
Municipal Engineering Services Company, P.A.
S. Jay Zimmerman, L.G.
jzimmerman@mesco.com
Attachment
cc: Ms. Kimberly Hill - Lenoir County
Wayne Sullivan - MESCO
Transfer Station Assessment Report
Prepared for
Lenoir County Transfer Station
Permit Number: 5405T-TRANSFER-1998
LaGrange, North Carolina
Lenoir County
Prepared by:
Municipal Engineering Services Company, PA
PO Box 97
Garner, NC 27529
Corporate License Number: C-0281
May 27, 2021
___________________
S. Jay Zimmerman
Senior Project Manager
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE 1
1.1 Transfer Station Facility Description .................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Source, Type and Quantity of Wastes ................................................................................................... 2
2 FACILITY ASSESSMENT 3
2.1 General .................................................................................................................................................. 3
2.2 Assessment of Transfer Station Building Infrastructure ....................................................................... 3
2.2.1 Transfer Station Building Observations ...................................................................................... 3
2.2.2 Tipping Floor and Push Wall Observations ................................................................................ 4
2.3 Assessment of Roadways and Parking Areas ........................................................................................ 5
2.3.1 Observations ............................................................................................................................... 5
2.4 Assessment of Leachate Collection and Storage System ...................................................................... 6
2.4.1 Observations ............................................................................................................................... 6
3 CONCLUSION 7
4 RECOMMENDATIONS 8
FIGURES
Figure 1 Lenoir County Transfer Station Facility Location Map
Figure 2 Lenoir County Transfer Station Site Map
APPENDICES
Appendix A Lenoir County Transfer Station Facility Photos
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Transfer Station Facility Assessment Report May 27, 2021
Lenoir County Transfer Station Page 1
1 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE
This Transfer Station Facility Assessment report has been prepared on behalf of Lenoir County Solid
Waste for submittal to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Division of
Waste Management (DWM) as required by North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A Subchapter
13B Section .0400 – Transfer Stations (15A NCAC 13B .0400). Transfer stations that have an effective
permit with the DWM prior to the readopted date of the above reference rule on January 1, 2021, must
complete an assessment report demonstrating compliance with the rules and permit applicable to the
transfer station, and submit the report to the DWM no later than six (6) months from the effective date of
the regulations, or by June 30, 2021.
The assessment report must include an assessment of the status of the building, access roads and parking
areas, as well as the leachate collection system of the current operations compared to the design of the site
stated in the permit, the plans incorporated into the permit and the rules of Section 13B .0400. The report
must also contain any recommended actions needed to bring the transfer station facility into compliance
with the rules.
Upon receipt of the report the DWM must notify the owner or operator of the transfer station of any
changes required to comply with the rules, within twelve (12) months from their receipt of the report. The
owner or operator of the transfer station must then complete the required actions to bring the facility into
compliance within three (3) years from receipt of the notification from the DWM. The owner/operator
may request an extension of time in the event the required actions may exceed three (3) years to complete.
Extension requests must include a reason and supporting information for review by the DWM, who will
then make a written determination to approve or not approve the extension request.
Municipal Engineering Services Company, P.A. (MESCO) performed the facility assessment on March
31, 2021, on behalf of Lenoir County Solid Waste. The report includes an assessment of the status of the
transfer station building, parking areas and roadways, and the leachate collection system components
compared to the site design stated in the permit, the plans and applicable rules. Documents referred to
during the assessment and completion of this report include the following:
• Solid Waste Management Facility Permit to Operate, Life-of-Site Permit No. 5405T-
TRANSFER-1998 issued January 24, 2017, File Identification No. (FID) 27279.
• Lenoir County Solid Waste Transfer Station Operations Plan, revised through January 18, 2017,
and approved January 24, 2017, File Identification No. (FID) 27278.
• The rules governing transfer stations at North Carolina Administrative Code Title 15A,
Subchapter 13B, Section .0400 – Transfer Stations.
1.1 Transfer Station Facility Description
The Lenoir County Transfer Station Facility is located at 2949 Hodges Farm Road, in LaGrange, North
Carolina. Lenoir County received their Life-Of-Site (LOS) permit (Permit No. 5405T-TRANSFER-
1998) effective January 24, 2017, to operate a transfer station needed to manage solid waste collection
Transfer Station Facility Assessment Report May 27, 2021
Lenoir County Transfer Station Page 2
activities. The facility consists of the transfer station and associated buildings, recycling and reuse areas
for specific types of wastes, access roads and a parking area, and a leachate collection system. Adjacent to
the transfer station facility is a permitted Construction and Demolition landfill.
The transfer station is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 8:00
a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The facility is closed on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, Good
Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas.
A map showing the location of the transfer station facility is in Figure 1.
1.2 Source, Type and Quantity of Wastes
The facility receives solid wastes from residential, commercial and industrial waste sources throughout
Lenoir County. The facility is permitted to handle non-hazardous, solid waste generated within Lenoir
County for transfer to the East Carolina Regional landfill in Bertie County, North Carolina. Any
hazardous wastes, liquid wastes and other prohibited waste materials found at the transfer facility are
returned to the waste hauler, or are removed from the tipping floor and held for later disposal by the
appropriate contracted hauler.
The transfer station facility also accepts other sources of waste according to the most recent operations
plan as follows:
• Tires from non-commercial sources are placed in a storage trailer, and taken by Central Carolina
Tire for disposal.
• Used lead acid batteries are collected and stored on wooden pallets adjacent to the maintenance
building, until they are removed, typically monthly.
• Used oil is collected and stored in an aboveground 500-gallon steel storage tank located near and
to the North of the maintenance building, until disposal. Oil filters are collected and removed
periodically by the used oil vendor.
• White goods are accepted on site at a designated location. Appliances, some of which contain
Freon, are accepted and stored before shipping to a metal recycling facility. Freon is recovered by
the contractor responsible for removal of the white goods and recyclable metals.
• Electronics are collected and stored in a designated trailer while waiting for pickup by a contract
firm.
• Yard waste is collected and disposed of at the County’s small Type I Compost Unit.
• Construction and demolition debris generated by residents is collected and disposed of at the
County’s existing C&D landfill East of the transfer station.
A review of the annual reports for select years was completed to assess the facilities ability to manage the
influx of waste received at the facility, including whether the amount of waste received had increased or
decreased significantly. According to the most recent Annual Report for the State Fiscal Year 2019-2020,
the facility received 26,786.65 tons of solid waste, or approximately 2,232 tons of waste per month. The
amount of waste received in the preceding FY for 2018-19 totaled 29,065.55 tons, or approximately 2,422
tons per month. For the FY 2015-16, Lenoir Co. processed a total of 26,722.2 tons of solid waste through
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Lenoir County Transfer Station Page 3
the transfer station, or approximately 2,226 tons of waste per month. The 2016-17 FY report yielded
similar results.
In summary, the amount of solid waste processed through the transfer station has remained relatively
stable during the past five fiscal years. The facility is currently able to accommodate and properly manage
the volume of solid waste received.
2 FACILITY ASSESSMENT
2.1 General
On March 31, 2021 MESCO staff and staff from the Lenoir County Solid Waste conducted a site visit to
assess the condition of the transfer station associated with Permit No. 5405T-TRANSFER-1998, and as
required by 15A NCAC 13B .0401(b). The assessment consisted of a review of the permit and operations
plan, site layout, the transfer station building, parking and roads, and the leachate collection system and
associated components to verify consistency with the current permit, operations plan and applicable rules.
A site map noting the location of the buildings, roads, parking areas and other structures referenced in the
assessment, and that are considered part of the permit, is provided in Figure 2.
2.2 Assessment of Transfer Station Building Infrastructure
The assessment of the building and other infrastructure included visual observations of the condition of
the building siding, tipping floor, and push wall. Observations included the notation of holes or damage to
the building siding that might allow entrance of precipitation into the transfer station building, or for solid
waste to leave the facility. The assessment also noted the condition of the tipping floor and push wall
including evidence of significant cracks, pitting, wear or scouring of the tipping floor, and the presence of
exposed rebar evident in the tipping floor and push wall. Any damage or concerns were documented and
photographed for inclusion into the report, and to support recommendations for any work necessary to
improve the overall condition of the facility.
2.2.1 Transfer Station Building Observations
At the entrance to the transfer station facility is the maintenance building, scale house and office building.
Staff within the scale house manage the vehicle traffic, including the weighing of vehicles that enter and
exit the facility. Weight tickets are maintained at the scale house for use by the Lenoir County staff for
billing purposes.
The transfer station building consists of a metal building enclosed on three sides, approximately 5,850
square feet in size, constructed on a concrete slab, with access at the entrance for the solid waste truck
traffic to dispose of waste on to the concrete tipping floor. The building structure, which is elevated above
the surrounding area, includes guttering around the perimeter of the roof line that collects precipitation
and directs any collected stormwater away from the facility and towards engineered stormwater control
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Lenoir County Transfer Station Page 4
features. Located to the rear of the transfer station building entrance is the loading bay through which
wastes are dispose into transfer trailers located below the tipping floor.
The condition of the sides of the building is generally sound and free of any significant damage that may
allow infiltration of precipitation or the escape of solid waste. Repairs were made to the building siding in
November 2020to address previously noted damage. No damage to the roof was noted when observing
from below on the tipping floor.
2.2.2 Tipping Floor and Push Wall Observations
The transfer station tipping floor is approximately 5,850 square feet (75 feet x 78 feet) and is used to
facilitate the sorting and consolidation of wastes received from waste haulers and residential customers.
Vehicles are weighed at the scale house upon entering and leaving the facility to determine the weight of
solid waste received for billing purposes.
All waste management activities are occurring on an impervious surface. Waste is deposited onto the
concrete tipping floor, inspected for unacceptable wastes and then pushed with front end loaders or other
equipment towards the push wall and the opening to the transfer trailer loading bay located below the
tipping floor, where it is compacted into large waste transfer trailers. Leachate created from normal
operations, the periodic washing of the tipping floor or the limited amount of stormwater that may enter
the facility, is collected through drains located in the floor of the loading bay, and sent through the
leachate collection system piping to a 1,500-gallon concrete storage tank. The tank is monitored weekly
and pumped as needed or at least monthly.
The tipping floor operator is responsible for observing the waste loads to ensure only authorized waste is
accepted, and will take action to address unacceptable wastes if identified. Wastes are screened by the
scale house staff, and staff on the tipping floor who are properly trained to identify or recognize
unacceptable wastes for each load received. The current Operation Plan approved January 24, 2017,
specifies a minimum screening frequency of 1% of the waste received. MESCO recommends the
operations plan be amended to meet the minimum screening requirement of 5% of the average daily
tonnage of wastes received as specified in the new regulations at 15A NCAC 13B .0405(a)(8).
The facility does not accept liquid, hazardous, or other unacceptable or prohibited materials not otherwise
permitted. In the event the operator discovers unacceptable wastes, the waste hauler will be directed to
remove the waste and dispose of the waste at an approved facility. If the waste hauler has left the transfer
station, the unacceptable wastes will be segregated and moved to the side on the tipping floor, for pickup
by a qualified hauler. The methodology for screening wastes is detailed in the Operations Plan, Section F.
Health, Nuisance Control and Contingency Plan. Records are maintained in accordance with permit
requirements.
The tipping floor is cleared of solid waste at the end of each day. Any wind-blown waste material that
escaped the transfer station is also picked up at the end of each day. The tipping floor is washed with
water at least twice each week, and any leachate that is generated is directed towards the leachate
collection system. The tipping floor, push wall and transfer loading area are also pressure washed once
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Lenoir County Transfer Station Page 5
per month as part of the approved Operations Plan and in accordance with the rules. The building walls
and other components are pressure washed twice per year, and the resultant leachate is directed towards
the leachate collection system.
The tipping floor and push walls were visually inspected for signs of excessive wear and damage through
use, including cracks that might allow leachate on the tipping floor to enter the subsurface, joint
separations, spalling of concrete or significant wear that may expose rebar through the use of heavy
equipment. The tipping floor is sloped towards the push wall and transfer trailer loading, to better
facilitate leachate collection. A concrete berm spans the width of the entrance to the tipping floor to
prevent leachate from escaping the entrance. The tipping floor was repaired in 2017 to address previously
identified damage, including exposed rebar.
The tipping floor was in good shape as of the date of the assessment, with no significant wear or damage
noted, and subsequent to the repairs completed in 2017. The push wall was also observed to be in good
shape with no identified damage that would be characterized outside of normal wear, or that might affect
the function of the push wall.
Overall, the location of the facility buildings, including the transfer station, maintenance building and
scale house/office building at the site, are consistent with the most recent Operations Plan approved
January 24, 2017, and LOS Permit to Operate, issued January 24, 2017. The condition of the transfer
station building, tipping floor and push wall are good and allow the facility to function as designed and
permitted.
2.3 Assessment of Roadways and Parking Areas
The transfer station is accessed from Hodges Farm Road in LaGrange, NC. A sign posted at the entrance
notes pertinent information as required by the permit and State regulations. The parking area and roads
were assessed for signs of excessive wear or damage, sunken areas of pavement, whether they were
suitable for managing the traffic flow at the transfer station, and consistency with the permit, operations
plan and applicable regulations. Any concerns related to the condition of the roads, parking areas or
ability to maintain adequate control of traffic entering or exiting the facility at the time of the site visit
were noted.
2.3.1 Observations
The site is surrounded by a chain link fence and barbed wire, with a lockable gate to prevent unauthorized
access and to control or prevent solid waste from leaving the facility. Signage is constructed of durable,
weather resistant material and notes relevant information as required by the permit and regulations. Signs
are posted at the entrance informing visitors of the days and hours of operation, facility owner name,
permit number and the types of wastes that are unacceptable for disposal.
Roads entering the facility and leading to and from the transfer station are of asphalt construction. Areas
surrounding the transfer station consist of a well maintained, graded, gravel surface. Waste handling
activities occur on the tipping floor which consists of a concrete surface. The asphalt roadway areas were
generally in good condition with signs of normal wear and tear such as minor cracking. As mentioned
above, graveled surfaces were well maintained and free of any significant damage.
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Lenoir County Transfer Station Page 6
A well graded gravel surface is located adjacent to the transfer station which serves as an area for the
storage of transfer trailers that are either empty, or full of waste and awaiting pickup. The area is
periodically graded to eliminate depressions and facilitate the movement of stormwater from the surface
towards the stormwater management features.
Overall, the existing roadways and parking areas are well maintained and are able to adequately manage
the traffic into and throughout the transfer station. No areas of damage were noted that would impede the
flow of traffic through the facility. All roads and parking areas are consistent with the recently issued
LOS permit, Operations Plan and applicable regulations.
2.4 Assessment of Leachate Collection and Storage System
Leachate generated from the solid waste deposited on the tipping floor, is typically collected by leachate
collection drains within the transfer station and tipping floor, or is directed towards the rear of the tipping
floor discharging through the loading bay entrance to the transfer trailer loading bay floor below.
Leachate collected by these drains is directed to either a storage tank located adjacent to the transfer
station building or a local wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). In the event the leachate is stored in
buried tanks, the leachate tank is periodically monitored to ensure it is not overfilled, and the leachate
pumped and hauled to a wastewater treatment facility.
Wastes are required to be removed from the tipping floor at the end of each day, after which the tipping
floor may be washed at some frequency. Current regulations require the tipping floor, push walls and
truck loading bays to be pressure washed no less than monthly. The remaining areas of the building
including side walls and material handling areas must be pressure washed no less than twice per year with
the resultant leachate collected and properly disposed of in accordance with the permit and State
regulations.
Transfer trailers are required to be leak resistant to prevent the release or discharge of leachate from the
trailer. Covers are required to prevent the release of solid waste during transport and while stored at the
transfer station while awaiting pickup. Covers limit the entrance of vectors into the trailer and depending
upon the material used, may also limit the entrance of precipitation into the trailer. For trailers that use
netting to cover the trailer as opposed to a water resistant, solid cover, steps must be taken to manage the
accumulation of any leachate that might be generated by precipitation entering the open trailer. Steps may
include parking the trailers over the leachate collection system drains, under a roofed structure or through
the use of a leachate capture system under the trailer gate. Trailers that employ the use of a solid cover are
better able to prevent excess accumulation of leachate generated by precipitation events, contingent upon
the condition of the cover.
2.4.1 Observations
On the day of the site visit it was noted that no leachate was collecting on the tipping floor. The floor is
constructed of concrete and is designed to move leachate towards the rear of the transfer station to
discharge through the loading bay opening to the floor below. Leachate drains for the Lenoir County’s
transfer station are located in the floor of the transfer station loading bay, below the elevation of the
tipping floor. The two (2) floor drains capture any leachate generated on the tipping, and direct it to a
1,500-gallon concrete storage tank. The tank is visually monitored to track the volume of leachate
collected in the tank. The tank is pumped at least monthly, or as otherwise needed to ensure adequate tank
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Lenoir County Transfer Station Page 7
volume exists, and the leachate hauled to the Town of Kinston’s collection system for treatment at their
wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).
Solid waste material is prevented from entering the leachate collection system through the use of grates
covering the leachate drain inlets. De-minimus amounts of small waste material may enter the leachate
collection system, but typically not in amounts that prevent proper operation of the system. The drain
covers and loading bay area is cleaned of solid waste at the end of each day. The leachate collection
system piping is periodically flushed with clean water to ensure it remains operational. The most recent
cleaning of the leachate drains and associated piping occurred on April 21, 2021. Additionally, a new
cleanout was installed to better facilitate maintenance/cleaning of the leachate collection system piping
between the drains and storage tank.
Transfer trailers are owned and operated by a private hauling company, under contract to Republic Waste,
to transport solid waste to the East Carolina Environmental Regional Landfill in Bertie County, NC
throughout the day. Trailers containing wastes that are awaiting pickup are covered with a net to prevent
debris from escaping the trailer, and to limit the ability of vectors such as birds, from entering the trailer
and distributing waste. Although the trailers are owned by a third-party contract hauler, county staff at
the facility periodically inspect the trailer seals and the condition of the trailer covers to ensure the
equipment performs adequately, and is being used in the manner required to prevent the loss of leachate
and the loss of solid waste during transport.
The trailers are designed to be water resistant to minimize the loss of any leachate that might otherwise
exit the trailer. Trailers leaking leachate will be stored in the loading bay over the leachate drains and
collection system until the leachate has dissipated. Additionally, any trailer found to be leaking in the
staging area will be placed on a waterproof tarp to capture any leachate in accordance with the Operations
Plan. All leachate will be disposed of in the leachate collection drains. Transfer trailers not able to be
taken to the landfill at the end of the day, are taken to the landfill the next working day.
Overall, the leachate collection system is performing as designed, capturing leachate generated on the
tipping floor and within the transfer trailer loading bay. Leachate is directed towards an underground
concrete holding tank, which is routinely monitored and pumped. The design and operation of the
leachate collection system is consistent with the LOS permit, Operations Plan and applicable rules.
3 CONCLUSION
On March 31, 2021, MESCO staff performed an evaluation of the Lenoir County Transfer Station to
satisfy requirements of the rules implemented by the State of North Carolina, Division of Waste
Management, located at the North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 15A, Subchapter 13B, Section
.0400 – Transfer Stations. Overall, the facility is well managed and operating consistent with the
requirements of their Life-of- Site Permit, Permit No. 5405T-TRANSFER-1998, the associated
Operations Plan and rules. Specifically, the following were noted:
• The facility is currently able to accommodate and properly manage the volume of solid waste
received, which has remained relatively stable over the past five (5) fiscal years.
• The site is secured by a chain link fence and locking gate. Signs are posted as required at the
entrance noting the days and hours of operation, the permit owner, permit number, and types of
unacceptable wastes.
• The transfer station building is in good shape and was recently repaired in November 2020.
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Lenoir County Transfer Station Page 8
• The tipping floor showed no signs of significant damage or wear as of the date of the assessment,
and was most recently repaired in 2017 to address previously identified damage.
• The push wall was also observed to be in good shape with no identified damage that would be
characterized outside of normal wear, or that might affect the function of the push wall.
• The locations of facility buildings, including the transfer station, maintenance building, and scale
house/office buildings located at the site, are consistent with the most recent Operations Plan
dated January 24, 2017.
• Overall, the existing roadways and parking areas are well maintained and are able to adequately
manage the traffic into and throughout the transfer station. All roads and parking areas are
consistent with the current Operations Plan.
• The design and operation of the leachate collection system is consistent with the current
Operations Plan and applicable rules. Leachate is managed in a manner that prevents discharge to
the surrounding environment. Leachate is pumped and hauled as needed and taken to the Town of
Kinston’s WWTP.
4 RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the assessment of the Lenoir County Transfer Station facility operation, and review of the Life-
of-Site permit and Operations Plan, MESCO recommends the following:
• Modify the Operations Plan to reflect the need to randomly screen wastes at least once per week
for 5% of the average daily tonnage of wastes reported in the facilities most recent annual report.
Current regulations effective January 1, 2021, require a minimum screening frequency of no less
than 5% of the average daily waste tonnage.
• Modify the Operations Plan to reflect the new hours of operation, which differ from the hours
noted in the plan approved January 24, 2017.
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FIGURES
FIGURE 1 Lenoir County Transfer Station Facility Location, LaGrange, North Carolina
FIGURE 2 Lenoir County Transfer Station Site Map
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Lenoir County Transfer Station
Permit No. 5405T – Transfer-1998
Figure 1:
Lenoir Co Transfer Station
2949 Hodges Farm Road
LaGrange, NC
Facility Location
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Lenoir County Transfer Station
Permit No. 5405T – Transfer-1998
Figure 2: Lenoir County Transfer Station located at 2949 Hodges Farm Road, LaGrange, NC
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APPENDIX A
LENOIR COUNTY TRANSFER STATION PHOTOS
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Photo 1- Lenoir County Transfer Station Entrance, Permit No. 5404T-TRANSFER-1998
Photo 2- Lenoir County Transfer Station Operating Times
Photo 3 - Lenoir County Transfer Station Office and Scale House Looking North
Photo 4- Lenoir County Transfer Station Building Looking Northwest
Photo 5- Transfer Station Push Wall and Tipping Floor
Photo 6- Transfer Station Tipping Floor
Photo 7- Lenoir County Transfer Trailer - Subcontractor Owned
Photo 8- Transfer Trailer Loading Bay Looking Southwest
Photo 9 – Lenoir County Transfer Station Loading Bay and Leachate Drain System
Photo 10 - Leachate Collection Drain
Photo 11 - Lenoir County Transfer Station Scrap Tire Storage
Photo 12 - Lenoir County Used Electronics Staging Area