9504_INSP_20240723

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

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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: July 23, 2024 Date of Last Inspection: September 14, 2023
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
Lee Hill, 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. During the inspection, bins were in use as follows:
Bin #1: Eary stages of filling with active compost. At the time of inspection, this bin contained a base
layer of carbon material.
Bin #2: Contained material actively being composted.
Bin #3: Contained finished compost which had met temperatures and was ready to be moved to curing
area.
Bin #4: Contained material actively being composted.
4. 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.
Since the previous inspection, the compost mixer had been moved slightly forward to allow for storage of
carbon material under the covered roof.
5. 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.
The lid of the leachate tank was closed and locked upon arrival on site.
Mr. Powers removed the lock form the lid allowing for an inspection of the interior of the tank. The tank
was almost full and was in need of servicing to have the leachate pumped out of the tank. However, no
concerns were observed with the tank.
During the previous inspection, two steel plates were missing over the leachate drains in the front of the
compost bins. All plates were in place at the time of the inspection on July 23rd.
Mr. Erickson confirmed in a phone conversation on August 6, 2024 that the leachate drains at the front and
back of the compost bins had been capped after consultation with representatives from Advanced
Composting Technologies, Inc. Mr. Erickson stated the compost operation no longer generates leachate
due to changes in compost procedures from the facility s initial startup. Mr. Erickson stated it was
believed that leachate currently in the leachate tank was from surface water or groundwater entering the
tank. Mr. Erickson stated a revised operation procedure was being developed and would be submitted to
the Solid Waste Section if the determination was made to permanently cap the leachate drains.
6. Please continue efforts to store recycling containers behind the compost facility in a manner that prevents
collection of water which could lead to odors and vector attraction.
7. All compost activities were maintained within the designated bins at the time of inspection.
8. No dust was observed.
9. No unacceptable waste streams were observed.
10. The facility had proper signage.
11. Some slight, intermittent odors were observed. Continue efforts to control odors generated by the operation.
12. 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.
13. Testing results for fecal coliform and heavy metals were submitted to the Solid Waste Section during the facility
annual reporting period.
Results for samples tested on July 1, 2024 found fecal coliform in excess of 1,000 MPN/g. During a
telephone conversation on August 6, 2024, Mr. Erikson confirmed that the tested material had not been
distributed. Mr. Erickson stated he was planning to have the material retested. If not retested or found to
be in exceedance again, the material will be reintroduced back into the compost process.
14. The curing area off Bodenheimer Drive was observed.
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
A large amount of standing water was observed due to recent heavy rains. The majority of the standing
water was observed within the gravel and soil area in front of the concrete pad designated for storage of
material. Efforts should be made to prevent long-standing water.
Multiple bones and some debris such as plastic cups and metal forks and spoons were observed within the
material on site. During a phone conversation on August 6, 2024, Mr. Erickson confirmed that any bones
or debris found within finished compost such as plastic and metal cutlery get screened out and properly
disposed of.
All compost was maintained to the designated concrete pad.
No offensive odors were observed.
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: 8/6/24 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]
Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor - Solid Waste Section