FY 2016-2017 Accomplishments

• Completed construction of recycled “Air Space” in Cell IA, of Section V.  This will provide for the reutilization/recycling of approximately 15 acres of air space. This is the initial phase of a two-phase project which will provide approximately six years of capacity and will update this area to the most recent environmental protection standards for landfills. This project consisted of earthwork and construction of a new road embankment; rehabilitation of an existing retention pond and the construction of a new stormwater run-off retention pond. This project also has an associated stormwater drainage system, which consists of above-ground trenches and below-ground piping.  The second phase will consist of a geosynthetic multi-layer liner system with filtration system, to be completed in 2018.
• Featured in the May issue of MSW Management, the journal for municipal solid waste professionals. The article, "Soil Sampling the 'ISM' Way" was written by county staff member Brent Schneider, P.E. and Shakib Bayanzay.
• Haul Road Paving Project - The Perdido Landfill Haul Road is a high-traffic road used by heavy waste transportation vehicles and equipment to deliver waste to the Class-I landfill for disposal. The old road consisted of a crushed concrete base built from recycled concrete. Prone to erosion and heavy dust, it required a significant amount of maintenance. The paving project consisted of re-grading the existing road, adding and compacting additional base material and installing asphalt pavement. The pavement resulted in an improvement to stormwater and air quality and has provided improved access for vehicles, thus effecting an overall increase in safety and in the landfill’s level of service for commercial and general public customers.
• Central Conveyance Stormwater System Restoration Project - The Perdido Landfill Central Conveyance Stormwater System needed repair to maintain required stormwater compliance and quality. The growth of trees and surrounding vegetation had interfered with the system's original design grade. The scope of work entailed the removal of trees, vegetation and silt from a total area of approximately one acre, re-establishing original design grades and stabilizing completed grades, and erosion and sediment control during construction. The completion of this project has resulted in the restoration of this vital stormwater system and will have a positive impact on stormwater quality. 
• Staff played an integral role in the start-up of an Interim Materials Recycling Facility at the Perdido Landfill. Staff transitioned IMRF operations into day-to-day landfill operations. Means and methods were employed to properly account for and track both inbound recyclables as well as outbound commodities. The use of an unmanned scales, in combination with Radio-Frequency Identification technology, facilitated efficient processing of inbound materials minimizing vehicle cycle times. Storage of commodities were coordinated to take full advantage of market pricing to generate revenue.
• Landfill operations beneficially reused and recycled approximately 45,000 tons of processed vegetation for daily cover and top soil.
• Negotiated an Interlocal Agreement with ECUA to service eleven Citizen Drop-Off Centers to increase collection and transportation efficiencies while decreasing disposal cost to ECUA.
• Through the WSD and other public/private partners, increased overall recycling rate during the fiscal year. Escambia County recycled 48 percent of the waste generated within the county; 43 percent from traditional methods plus 5 percent from renewable energy.
• Assisted Facilities Management to acquire recycling services for county-owned buildings
• Partnered with Natural Resources Department to expand oyster shell collection recycling for living shoreline and natural seawall projects
• Fleet staff designed, planned and conducted “Mechanic’s Competition” for the state and national Solid Waste Association of North America, or SWANA, Road-E-O events.
• Staff members graduated from and obtained Certified Public Manager credentials 
• Diverted approximately 6,500 gallons of unused latex paint from landfill disposal. This paint was re-blended and beneficially used for various projects throughout the county and offered to citizens at no cost.
• Continued public education and community outreach through support of the following community service projects and public recreation areas via funding and/or staffing:
  • Regional Roundups (five a year)
  • Neighborhood Clean Sweeps with Natural Resources Management and CRA
  • Perdido Riverwalk
  • County-wide Illegal Dumps/Right of Way Pickup
  • Klondike Archery Park
  • Northwest Florida RC Modelers

• Maintained its “In Compliance” rating concerning inspection of landfill operations from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
• Perdido Landfill Flare and Gulf Power Gas-to-Energy plant collected and destroyed a combined 5,783.91 metric tons of methane. The landfill Gas-to-Energy program again averaged a minimum 90 percent plant run time, providing a generating capacity of 3.2 MW.  This is equivalent to the amount of energy needed to power 900 homes. 
• Perdido Landfill exceeded the industry standard with a Waste Compaction. Waste Compaction of 1,840 lbs./cy was obtained. The industry standard is 1,500 lbs./cy.
• Hosted numerous visitors through partnerships with UWF and Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy. Staff engaged in discussion and answered questions concerning local governments actions to address solid waste management and recycling needs of the community.  Guests included Congressional Open World Leadership Exchange, UWF Environmental Science Group and Junior LEAP. 
• Palafox Transfer Station completed a Limited Scope Remedial Action Plan to remove pre-existing arsenic contaminated soil from the facility.
• Diverted the following waste from the Perdido Landfill during this period:
  • Waste Tires – 435 tons 
  • Yard Waste – 46,000 tons
  • Hazardous Household Waste – 645 tons
  • Clean Concrete – 5,102 tons
  • Scrap Recycling (Southern Recycling) – 203 tons
  • Electronics Recycling (Wise Recycling) – 93 tons