9504_INSP_20230914

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 1 of 3

UNIT TYPE:
Lined
MSWLF LCID YW Transfer Compost X SLAS COUNTY: Watauga
Closed
MSWLF HHW White
goods Incin T&P FIRM PERMIT NO.: 9504-COMPOST-2001
CDLF Tire T&P / Collection Tire Monofill Industrial Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE

Date of Site Inspection: September 14, 2023 Date of Last Inspection: October 19, 2022

FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
Appalachian State University Compost Facility
197 Intramural Field Road
Boone, North Carolina 28608

GPS COORDINATES (decimal degrees): Lat.: 36.20597 Long.: -81.65582

FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Name: Chris Erickson, Facility Maintenance Supervisor
Telephone: [phone]
Email address: [e-mail]

FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
Post Office Box 32105
Boone, North Carolina 32105

PARTICIPANTS:
Chris Erickson, Facility Maintenance Supervisor – ASU
Grant Powers, Facilities Operations Waste Management Supervisor – ASU
Charles Gerstell, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section
Summer Justice, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section

STATUS OF PERMIT:
A Permit to Operate a Small Type 3 Compost Facility was issued to Appalachian State University on May 6, 2022.
This permit will expire on May 6, 2032.

PURPOSE OF SITE VISIT:
Comprehensive Inspection

STATUS OF PAST NOTED VIOLATIONS:
N/A

OBSERVED VIOLATIONS:
None

The item(s) listed above were observed by Section staff and require action on behalf of the facility in order to come into or maintain compliance
with the Statutes, Rules, and/or other regulatory requirements applicable to this facility. Be advised that pursuant to N.C.G.S. 130A-22, an
administrative penalty of up to $15,000 per day may be assessed for each violation of the Solid Waste Laws, Regulations, Conditions of a Permit,
or Order under Article 9 of Chapter 130A of the N.C. General Statutes. Further, the facility and/or all responsible parties may also be subject to
enforcement actions including penalties, injunction from operation of a solid waste management facility or a solid waste collection service and any
such further relief as may be necessary to achieve compliance with the North Carolina Solid Waste Management Act and Rules.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 2 of 3

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

1. The facility consists of a Small Type III Compost Facility permitted to receive food waste, compostable dinnerware,
sawdust, yard waste, and clean wood waste.
2. The facility utilizes a forced aeration system. Compost is placed in four covered bins with gates.
3. A fire extinguisher was observed on site and read a full charge.
4. During the inspection, bins were in use as follows:
x Bin #1: Early stage of filling with active compost.
x Bin #2: Contained finished compost which had met temperatures and was ready to be moved to the curing
area.
x Bin #3: Contained finished compost which had met temperatures and was ready to be moved to the curing
area.
x Bin #4: Contained material actively being composted. Mr. Powers explained material was last added to this
bin on the Monday prior to the inspection. Mr. Powers also explained the compost will be covered with
carbon material to control odors.
5. The facility utilizes an industrial compost mixer which is located on the covered concrete pad adjacent to the
compost bins. The mixer is used for mixing feedstocks and breaking down hard food wastes such as lettuce cores. A
conveyor carries product from the mixing unit and deposits it onto the concrete pad located on the opposite side of a
concrete dividing wall where it is then removed and placed in one of the compost bins. No concerns were observed
with this area. All mixing operations were maintained under the covered area.
x Please continue efforts to control leachate generated by the mixing operation to ensure any liquid generated
during the process is maintained to the concrete pad.
6. The facility utilizes a leachate collection system consisting of drains located at the front and back of each compost
bin which deposit into a 1000-gallon below ground collection tank.
x The lid of the leachate tank was closed and locked upon arrival on site.
x Mr. Erickson removed the lock from the lid allowing for an inspection of the interior of the tank. No
concerns were observed with the leachate tank.
x At the time of inspection, two steel plates were missing which cover the leachate drains in the front of the
compost bins. Mr. Powers explained new plates had been ordered and would be installed soon. Please
continue to monitor the leachate drains for obstructions to ensure proper function until the missing plates are
replaced.
x No evidence was observed to indicate the leachate system was not functioning properly.
7. During the inspection, a small amount of compost was observed on the ground adjacent to Bin #4. Please ensure this
material is collected and returned to the appropriate area for composting. All waste deposited on the ground or on
the concrete pad must be removed by the end of each working day.
8. Slight odors were observed during the inspection. Mr. Erickson and Mr. Powers explained that the compost in Bin
#4 had been leveled out earlier that morning in preparation for installation of a carbon layer over the compost to
assist in controlling odors. Please continue efforts to control odors at the facility.
9. During the inspection, multiple recycling containers were observed behind the facility. Multiple containers
contained water. Others had fallen over and were found directly against the piping for the aeration system. Please
ensure that containers stored on site are covered to prevent collection of water which could lead to odors and vectors
such as mosquitos. Containers should also be stored in a manner to prevent any damage to the aeration system.
10. No dust was observed.
11. No unacceptable waste streams were observed.
12. The facility had proper signage.
13. Temperature logs were submitted to the Solid Waste Section during the facility annual reporting period.
Temperature data was being collected as required and it appeared that temperature requirements were being met.
14. Testing results for fecal coniform and heavy metals were submitted to the Solid Waste Section during the facility
annual reporting period.
15. The curing area off Bodenheimer Drive was observed.
x The curing area consists of a concrete pad separated into 4 individual bays. Two bays are used for curing
purposes, one was used for storage of mulch, and one is used for screening purposes.
FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

Page 3 of 3

x A small amount of standing water was observed in front of the concrete pad due to recent rains. However,
no standing water was observed on the concrete pad.
x No dust was observed.
x No offensive odors were observed.
x Storage of soil and concrete was observed on site directly across from the curing bins along the edge of the
wood line. Also observed were multiple plastic bottles, 1 piece of corrugated plastic pipe, an empty plastic
oil bottle, plastic piping, paper, multiple metal pipes, and a piece of treated lumber. Temporary storage of
broken concrete and soil is not a concern. However, dumping of all other waste types listed above should
be avoided as disposal of such wastes could lead to violations of the Solid Waste General Statutes and
Administrative Rules. Please ensure that all plastic bottles, corrugated plastic pipe, metal, plastic
piping, paper, and treated lumber are removed and properly disposed of at a facility permitted by the
Division of Waste Management.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this inspection report.

________________________________________ Phone: [phone]
Charles T. Gerstell
Environmental Senior Specialist
Regional Representative

Sent on: 9/26/23 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]

Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor - Solid Waste Section
Digitally signed by Charles T. Gerstell
DN: cn=Charles T. Gerstell, o=Division of Waste
Management, ou=Solid Waste Section,
email=[e-mail], c=US
Date: 2023.09.26 13:51:32 -04'00'