9504COMPOST2001_INSP_20160414.pdf

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section

UNIT TYPE:
Lined
MSWLF LCID YW Transfer Compost X SLAS COUNTY: Watauga
Closed
MSWLF HHW White
goods Incin T&P FIRM PERMIT NO.: SWC-95-04
CDLF Tire T&P /
Collection Tire
Monofill Industrial
Landfill DEMO SDTF FILE TYPE: COMPLIANCE
Date of Site Inspection: April 14, 2016 Date of Last Inspection: August 23, 2013
FACILITY NAME AND ADDRESS:
Appalachian State University
Physical Plant – Dale Street
Boone, North Carolina 28608
GPS COORDINATES: N: 36.20597 W: 81.65582
FACILITY CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER:
Name: John Richards
Telephone: [phone] x 108
Email address: [e-mail]
FACILITY CONTACT ADDRESS:
Post Office Box 32105
Boone, North Carolina 32105
PARTICIPANTS:
John Richards, Compost Operations Coordinator – ASU
Jennifer Maxwell, Sustainability Program Specialist - ASU
Charles Gerstell, NCDEQ – Solid Waste Section
STATUS OF PERMIT:
A Permit to Operate a Small Type III Compost Facility was issued to Appalachian State University on October 13,
2011. This permit shall expire on October 9, 2016.
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 approved for the composting of pre-consumer and post-
consumer food waste with sawdust and wood chips used as bulking agents as detailed in the approved permit
application.
2. The facility was approved for distribution of compost per letter issued by Tony Gallagher, Composting & Land
Application Branch Supervisor on April 1, 2016. No distribution of compost to the public had occurred as of the
date of the inspection.
3. The facility utilizes a forced aeration system. Compost is placed in four covered bins with gates. Leachate drains
are provided within trenches located at the front and rear of each bin.
4. During the inspection, bins were in use as follows.
x Bin 1: Empty
x Bin 2: In process compost
x Bin 3: In process compost
x Bin 4: Empty
5. All saw dust and wood chips used as bulking agents were contained on a covered, concrete pad adjacent to the
compost bins.
6. The facility utilizes a leachate collection system consisting of drains located at the front and rear of each compost
bin which deposit into a 1000-gallon collection tank.
x The lid to the leachate tank was locked upon inspection. It appeared that that tank was being properly
maintained.
x No leachate related concerns were observed.
7. No dust was observed.
8. No objectionable odors were observed.
9. The concrete pad located in front of the compost bins was free of material at the time of inspection.
10. No flies or other vectors were observed.
11. No evidence of scavenging was observed. A noise deterrent system is provided to prevent scavenging by birds.
Mr. Richards stated that the system is turned on starting in June.
12. The curing area located off of Bodenheimer Drive was observed.
x The curing area consisted of 4 concrete pads. Two concrete pads are used for curing purposes, one is
used for storage of mulch, and one is used for screening operations.
x Signs were provided to alert staff as to whether compost was in the process of curing or if curing had
been completed.
x All stockpiles of finished product appeared to be limited to 10-feet in height as required by permit.
x This area appeared to be well managed.
13. Renewal of the permit for the facility was discussed with Ms. Maxwell and Mr. Richards. It is recommended that
Mr. Tony Gallagher, Composting & Land Application Branch Supervisor be contacted to determine what
information must be submitted for permit renewal. Inspection found the need to update the following:
x All facility contact information. Some staff previously associated with the facility have changed.
x All information pertaining to the curing area should be included with the updated operations plan for
the facility. It appeared during the inspection, that the curing area had expanded to four concrete pads
form two pads which was originally approved. Please ensure that all changes in the curing area are
reflected.
14. A review of the Facility Annual Report for 2014-2015 found that the facility received 88.6 tons of food waste and
produced 219.8 tons of compost.
15. Temperature logs were verified. Temperature data was being collected as required and it appeared that proper
temperatures were being obtained.

FACILITY COMPLIANCE INSPECTION REPORT
Division of Waste Management
Solid Waste Section
Page 3 of 3

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: 4/25/16 X Email Hand delivery US Mail Certified No. [ _]

Copies: Deb Aja, Western District Supervisor - Solid Waste Section
Jessica Montie, Compliance Officer – Solid Waste Section
Jennifer Maxwell, Sustainability Program Specialist – ASU ([e-mail])
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: 2016.04.25 15:43:03 -04'00'