Summary Report and Record of Durham College Information Session

Transcription

1 Durham Durham Region Region Residual Residual Waste Waste Disposal Disposal Planning Planning Study Study Summary Report and Record of Durham College Information Session The Development of Environmental Assessment Terms of Reference (EA Terms of Reference) Final Report on Durham College Information Session March 16 th, 2005 April 2005

2 DURHAM REGION RESIDUAL WASTE DISPOSAL STUDY DURHAM COLLEGE INFORMATION SESSION Summary Report and Record of Durham College School of Technology Information Session held on March 16 th, 2005 Final Report April 2005 Prepared by: MacViro Consultants Inc. 600 Cochrane Drive, Suite 500 Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 5K3 Jacques Whitford Limited Warden Avenue Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 5X5

3 Durham Region Residual Waste Disposal Study Durham College School of Technology Information Session Summary Report April, 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) TERMS OF REFERENCE CONSULTATION PROGRAM Consultation Completed to Date Consultation Planned for PURPOSE OF THE DURHAM COLLEGE INFORMATION SESSION OVERVIEW DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION NOTIFICATION DURHAM COLLEGE INFORMATION SESSION FORMAT ATTENDANCE INFORMATION PRESENTED... 5 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE 2-1 PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION NOTICE 4 LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 2 DISPLAY BOARDS (DRAFT) NEWSLETTER MacViro Consultants Inc. Jacques Whitford Limited. i

4 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Overview of Environmental Assessment (EA) Terms of Reference Consultation Program In accordance with the Province of Ontario s Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), EA Terms of Reference, developed in consultation with the public and submitted to the Minster of the Environment for approval, must include an account or record of the public consultation process. As a first step in undertaking the EA Terms of Reference component of the Durham Region Residual Waste Disposal Study work program, Durham College Information Session was held to introduce the Durham College students to the planning process of the Study and the technologies being considered in the Study. This summary report has been prepared as part of the required public consultation record to be submitted with the proposed EA Terms of Reference. To date, the following consultation events have been hosted by Durham Region as a first step in undertaking the development of EA Terms of Reference for Durham Region s Residual Waste Disposal Study: Consultation Completed to Date Eight (8) Public Information Sessions were held between October 6 th, 2004 and November 23 rd, 2004 in Durham (one in each area municipality). The intent of these sessions was three-fold: (1) to introduce the Study, (2) to communicate the need for finding a sustainable means of managing post diversion wastes, and (3) to present the requirements of Ontario s EA Act. Three (3) Public Workshops Sessions on the Alternatives To the undertaking. These first Public Workshop sessions were held in Durham on February 15 th, 16 th and 17 th, The intent of these sessions was to discuss and obtain public input on: (1) alternatives reasonably available to manage Durham s residual waste, and (2) the ways for evaluating these alternatives during the EA study to select a preferred alternative. A Durham College Information Session was held on March 16 th, 2005 at the Durham College campus (Subject of this Summary Report) Consultation Planned for 2005 The following consultation events are planned for 2005 as part of the preparation of the EA Terms of Reference for the Durham Region Residual Waste Disposal Study: 1

5 Three (3) Public Workshop Sessions on the identification of Alternative Methods (Workshop Sessions held on March 22 nd, 23 rd and 24 th, 2005) as defined by the Act together with consideration of the site selection methodology and preliminary criteria for their evaluation (i.e. proposed site identification and site selection process); Three (3) Public Workshop Sessions on the development of the consultation plan to be implemented as part of the EA study (i.e. how people will be consulted during the EA study), and; Public Information Sessions on the draft EA Terms of Reference. A summary report will be prepared for each of these events and these reports will serve as the record of consultation to be submitted along with the proposed EA Terms of Reference. In addition to the above planned consultation events, the EA Terms of Reference consultation process includes several other opportunities for the public, agencies and other interested parties to obtain information and provide comments on the Terms of Reference development process. These include: A Study website ( that includes: a description of the Study background together with key Study documentation, as it becomes available; an online comment form and address; and contact information for the Region relative to the Study. A government agency contact list together with the notices sent to agencies regarding the Study and a request for feedback on future consultation needs. The results of these initiatives will also be included with the EA Terms of Reference as part of the consultation record Purpose of the Durham College Information Session The Durham College Information Session was held on March 16 th, 2005 at the Durham College Campus, School of Technology, in the Regional Municipality of Durham. The purpose of this session was to introduce the Durham College, School of Technology students to the planning process of the Durham Residual Waste Disposal Management Study and the technologies being considered in the Study. This introductory event also laid out opportunities for future consultation and input during development of the EA Terms of Reference. 2

6 2. OVERVIEW 2.1. Date, Time, and Location The Durham College Information Session was held at the Durham College, School of Technology in the Regional Municipality of Durham. The following is the date, time and location of the event: Date: Wednesday, March 16 th, 2005 Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: Durham College Campus, Durham School of Technology Willey Building, Room C Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario Notification Notification of this Information Session event was issued through placement of a notice in the Durham College newspaper Durham College Chronicle on March 15 th,

7 Figure 2-1 A copy of the Durham College Information Session Notice is illustrated in Figure 2-1 below: FIGURE 2-1 DURHAM COLLEGE INFORMATION SESSION NOTICE 4

8 2.3. Durham College Information Session Format The Durham College Information Session included a power point presentation by MacViro Consultants, followed by a group discussion. David Merriman of MacViro Consultants, Project Manager for the Durham Residual Waste Disposal Study presented on the planning process of the Study and the technologies being considered in the Study. The Information Session took place from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m Attendance Professor Ross Stevenson of the Durham College School of Technology hosted the Durham College Information Session. The Durham College audience in attendance consisted primarily of second year students in the programs of Environmental Technology and Waste Management Technology. In total, approximately twenty (20) students attended the Session. 3. INFORMATION PRESENTED A copy of the Power Point presentation presented at the Durham College Information Session is included in Appendix 1 of this report. The presentation included the following: background on Durham s Waste Management Challenges; information on the environmental assessment and other approvals processes and the role/scope of EA terms of reference; information on the proposed purpose of the undertaking; information on factors effecting the selection of technologies considered in the Study; information on the technologies considered in the Study and their implications; as well as, A copy of a (Draft) Newsletter providing an up-date on the Study process for the Durham Region Residual Waste Disposal Planning Study, to be included in one of the future the Durham Works Newsletters. A copy of the (Draft) Newsletter distributed to provide background information at the Durham College Information Session is included in Appendix 2 of this report. 5

9 Appendix 1 Presentation

10 Durham Region Residual Waste Planning Study: The Planning & Technologies Being Considered Presentation To Durham College School of Technology March 16, 2005 By David Merriman MacViro Consultants Inc. Overview Of Presentation Durham s Waste Management Challenges Ontario Approvals Requirements» Environmental Assessment Act» Environmental Protection Act Technologies Being Considered» Physical es» Biological es» Thermal es» Landfilling of Residuals Conclusions & Keys to Success 1

11 Durham s Waste Management Challenges Durham Residents generate about 222,000 tonnes of material per year They divert, through recycling and composting, about 71,000 tonnes per year or about 32% of their waste. The balance, approximately 151,000 tonnes per year is exported for landfill disposal, primarily in Michigan. Export to Michigan is not sustainable. A local solution must be found. Durham plans to increase its diversion through additional at-source recycling and household organics collection / composting to approximately 60% (i.e., almost double current efforts) A solution must be found for the estimated remaining 40% or 101,000 tonnes per year in 2011 growing to 164,000 tonnes per by 2035 Approvals Requirements Environmental Assessment Act» Broad reaching and complex» Must specify Purpose and Need for undertaking» Must consider Alternatives To the Undertaking (i.e., identify & consider different technologies and approaches)» Must consider Alternative Methods of carrying out the undertaking (i.e., identify & consider different sites for facility)» Must consider the effects of the alternatives on the Environment, broadly defined to include natural, social, economic & technical / legal aspects. Environmental Protection Act» Relatively straight forward» Site specific approval for a specific facility» Addresses impacts from a specific facility on a specific local environment 2

12 Proposed Purpose of the Undertaking To process physically, biologically, and/or thermally the waste that remains after the application of the Region s at-source waste diversion programs in order to recover resources (both material and energy) and to minimize the amount of material requiring landfill disposal. All options to be considered will be safe as they will meet or exceed all regulatory requirements Ontario s Environmental Assessment Public Information Sessions Public Workshops Step One Develop Proposed EA Terms of Reference (EAToR) Background Documentation Proposed EA Terms of Reference We Are Here Public Review and Comment Mediation (Optional) Step Two Provincial Approval of EA Terms of Reference Approved EA Terms of Reference 2005 Technology Vendor Submissions/ Competitive Public Consultation Plan (to be developed) Public Review and Comment Mediation (Optional) Public Hearing (Optional) Step Three EA Study Step Four Provincial Approval of EA Study Impact Studies EA/EPA Documentation & Proposed Undertaking EAA/EPA Approvals to 2008 Initiate Implementation of Undertaking (2008) 3

13 Factors Effecting Choice of Technologies Public Acceptability Costs Risks - Commercial status Diversion Potential»Nature & marketability of output products Nature of Emissions»Air Emissions»Solid Residue»Wastewater Discharge Financial & Technical Capabilities to Implement Physical es Conventional Mixed Waste ing» Size sorting» Magnetic, eddy current, air classification of material» Computer controlled optical separation of plastics & glass» Recovery of an Alternative Fuel Production of Alternative Fuel With Biological Drying» Shredding, followed by in-vessel composting to dry material» Recovery of recyclable materials & an Alternative Fuel ing with Steam» Shredding, followed by processing with steam to sterilize and break down material» Recovery of metals, plastics & glass» Production of cellulose and biomass for use as feed stock in paper manufacturing and other applications 4

14 Overview of Typical Material In-Feed 5

15 Mid-Size Material Recovery of Fuel 6

16 Recovery of Plastics Organic Material Stream 7

17 Implications: Physical es Not a Complete, Front End Only Grit/Broken Glass Output Material Difficult to Market For Alternative Fuels,» Combustion/gasification site must be found» Utilization site in compliance with Ontario Air Regulations» Potentially relatively lower cost if utilization site available Minimal Diversion Achieved if Market/Uses Not Found for recovered materials Technologies Generally Commercially Established Technologies Generally Acceptable to Public Biological ing Aerobic Composting» Same process as backyard composting» Aerobic bacteria require air and moisture» Produced a humus like material» Produces an earthy odour Anaerobic Digestion» Same process as used in septic tank or sewage treatment plant» Anaerobic bacteria require a wet environment without air» After dewatering produces a sludge like material» Produces a strong unpleasant odour that must be controlled 8

18 Implications: Biological - Aerobic Composting es Compost From Mixed Waste Will be Difficult to Market. Reduce Quantities to Landfill by about 30% if Compost Landfilled; 60+% if Compost Marketed Halifax Type Landfill Compost Approach. Compost not Odours, but it Still generates Leachate & Gas Large Land Requirements & Potential Odour Issues Technologies Generally Commercially Established No Energy Output from Aerobic Compost Relatively Low Cost for Composting More Appropriate for Source Separated Organics Biological Technologies Generally Acceptable To, (and Sometimes Demanded by) the Public 9

19 Implications: Biological - Anaerobic Digestion es Digestate From Mixed Waste Will be Difficult to Market. Also Concerns re Pathogens in Digestate Generates Significant Quantities of Wastewater Requiring Treatment Air Emissions from Combustion of Bio-Gas (methane) Ranges from Demonstration to Fully Commercial Three Facilities In Canada (Two BTA & One SUBBOR) Less Energy Output Than Thermal es such as incineration More Costly than Aerobic Composting Particularly if Wastewater Treatment Costs Included More Appropriate for Source Separated Organics Technology Generally More Acceptable than Thermal es 10

20 Implications: Biological - Ethanol Fermentation es Potential to Achieve Moderate Diversion From Landfill Technology at Bench to Pilot Scale Only No Commercial Scale Facilities Presently Operating Requires Energy Input for Distillation May Involve Gasification of Some Residues Likely Very Costly Due to Complexity of Public Attitude Towards Technology Unknown Variety of Thermal es Mass Burn Incineration Two Stage Incineration Alternative Fuel Production & Combustion Fixed Bed Gasification Fluidized Bed Gasification High Temperature Gasification Plasma Gasification Pyrolysis 11

21 Thermal ing Facility Algonquin Facility in Peel -A Closely Coupled Fixed Bed Gasifier- 12

22 Input Residual MSW Fluidized Bed Gasifier Facility Substantial Mechanical and/or Biological es Sorting & Sizing Pyrolysis (External Heat Source With No Added Air or Oxygen) Unacceptable Materials Removed for Disposal (e.g. Oversized & Hazardous Materials) Materials Removed for Recycling and/or Landfill Disposal Fixed Bed Gasification Syn-Gas Conversion to Chemicals Fluidized Bed Gasification Thermal Oxidation (With Heat Recovery Boiler) High Temperature Gasification Syn-Gas Clean Up Thermal Oxidation (Combustion in Gas Turbine or Engine) Flue Gas Air Pollution Control (APC) Plasma Very High Temperature Gasification High Temperature Thermal Oxidation (Vitrified Slag Produced) Thermal Residue Materials for Fuel Use, Recycling and/or Landfill Disposal Metals, Vitrified Slag for Recycling and/or Other Residue for Landfill Disposal Syn-Gas Clean Up Residue for Disposal and/or Discharge to Sewer APC System Residue (Fly Ash) for Disposal (Possibly a Hazardous Waste) Gases Discharged to Atmosphere (Must Meet Ont. Guideline A-7) Input Residual MSW Plasma Gasifier Facility Substantial Mechanical and/or Biological es Sorting & Sizing Pyrolysis (External Heat Source With No Added Air or Oxygen) Unacceptable Materials Removed for Disposal (e.g. Oversized & Hazardous Materials) Materials Removed for Recycling and/or Landfill Disposal Fixed Bed Gasification Syn-Gas Conversion to Chemicals Fluidized Bed Gasification Thermal Oxidation (With Heat Recovery Boiler) High Temperature Gasification Syn-Gas Clean Up Thermal Oxidation (Combustion in Gas Turbine or Engine) Flue Gas Air Pollution Control (APC) Plasma Very High Temperature Gasification High Temperature Thermal Oxidation (Vitrified Slag Produced) Thermal Residue Materials for Fuel Use, Recycling and/or Landfill Disposal Metals, Vitrified Slag for Recycling and/or Other Residue for Landfill Disposal Syn-Gas Clean Up Residue for Disposal and/or Discharge to Sewer APC System Residue (Fly Ash) for Disposal (Possibly a Hazardous Waste) Gases Discharged to Atmosphere (Must Meet Ont. Guideline A-7) 13

23 Input Residual MSW Pyrolysis Gasifier Facility Substantial Mechanical and/or Biological es Sorting & Sizing Pyrolysis (External Heat Source With No Added Air or Oxygen) Unacceptable Materials Removed for Disposal (e.g. Oversized & Hazardous Materials) Materials Removed for Recycling and/or Landfill Disposal Fixed Bed Gasification Syn-Gas Conversion to Chemicals Fluidized Bed Gasification Thermal Oxidation (With Heat Recovery Boiler) High Temperature Gasification Syn-Gas Clean Up Thermal Oxidation (Combustion in Gas Turbine or Engine) Flue Gas Air Pollution Control (APC) Plasma Very High Temperature Gasification High Temperature Thermal Oxidation (Vitrified Slag Produced) Thermal Residue Materials for Fuel Use, Recycling and/or Landfill Disposal Metals, Vitrified Slag for Recycling and/or Other Residue for Landfill Disposal Syn-Gas Clean Up Residue for Disposal and/or Discharge to Sewer APC System Residue (Fly Ash) for Disposal (Possibly a Hazardous Waste) Gases Discharged to Atmosphere (Must Meet Ont. Guideline A-7) Implications: Thermal es Materials Potentially Requiring Disposal» Grit/Broken Glass from front end processing, char from gasification process & residue from gas clean-up High Temperature es Produce a Glass-Like Slag & thus May Yield Higher Diversion Air Emissions Must Meet Stringent Guidelines Such as Ont. A-7 The Technologies Range from the Pilot to the Fully Commercial Stage of Development. Incineration well established. Gasification & Pyrolysis Not Well Established Potential Use of Syn-Gas (primarily CO & H 2 ) In Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Yields Efficient Energy Conversion Attitude of Public Towards Technology Not Known. Opposition Views All Technologies as Incineration & Therefore Bad!! 14

24 Landfill Implications: Landfill Proven Technology Lowest Cost Technology The Perception of Impacts Generally Far Greater Than Actual Impacts From a Facility Can Be Next to Impossible to Site New Facilities. There will not be a new Landfill site in Durham Required for Disposal of Residues from All Other Approaches 15

25 Example of Overall System Recyclable Materials To Markets Alternative Fuel Thermal Treatment On-Site Heat or Syn-gas Electricity Generation Electricity & Heat to Market Residual Waste Removal of Unacceptable Materials Recovery of Recyclable Materials Recovery of Alternative Fuel Bio Gas Residue To Landfill Residue To Landfill Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Materials Aerobic Composting of Organic Materials Recovery of Class B Compost Class B Compost To Market Residue To Landfill Residue To Landfill Landfill Residuals Scope of Environmental Assessment Overall Conclusions It is More About Social and Political Issues than Technologies. Waste Management is Evolutionary not Revolutionary. No Magic Bullets Have Been Found. Technological Evolution is Driven by Regulations All Technologies Generate some Residues that Require Landfilling Thermal Technologies Offer the Potential of Minimizing Future Landfill Requirements Advanced Thermal Technologies do Not Appear to Provide Significant Benefits Over State-of-the Art Incinerators Research Facilities are Required to Move Forward With Advanced Thermal Technologies. The Ontario EA Makes this Next to Impossible. 16

26 Keys to Success Must have a workable planning, siting, and approvals process Must deal with opposition groups.»will we continue to give veto power to small vocal minorities? Technology must be proven at the required scale somewhere in the world, and preferably in North America Developer must have the commercial and technical resources to implement the facility Questions & Answers For additional information on New & Emerging Waste Management Technologies Go To And click on Publications 17

27 Appendix 2 (Draft) Newsletter

28 Durham Works Newsletter insert DRAFT. March 14, 2005 Durham Region Residual Waste Disposal Planning Study What s been happening? The Study In the Fall of 2004, the Region of Durham initiated a Residual Waste Disposal Planning Study. The objective of the study is to find a way to manage the solid waste remaining after recycling and composting efforts (i.e., wastes in the Green garbage bag or post-diversion wastes ). The Region is working to address the social, economic and environmental concerns of residents through an Environmental Assessment (EA) process to examine potential management alternatives. The Challenge There is still residual waste (i.e., garbage) to be managed after the Blue Box Recycling, Green Bin and Yard Waste Composting programs. After additional recycling and composting plans are fully implemented, approximately 40% of the total residential waste generated in Durham is expected to remain and will require disposal. Exporting waste, primarily to Michigan, is no longer sustainable and the Region of Durham is looking at new technologies to manage residual waste. Opportunity even exists to capture energy and other resources from these post-diversion wastes. By addressing the social, economic and environmental concerns of Durham residents through an EA Study, we can examine alternative local approaches to residual waste management. The proposed undertaking for this EA is: To process physically, biologically, and/or thermally the waste that remains after the application of the Region s at-source waste diversion programs in order to recover resources (both material and energy) and to minimize the amount of material requiring landfill disposal. All options to be considered will be safe as they will meet or exceed all regulatory requirements. Public Consultation To Date As part of this study a number of consultation events are planned for Input received from all consultation events will be used to develop the respective parts of the EA Terms of Reference (a game plan for conducting the EA Study). Eight (8) Public Information Sessions were held between October 6 th, 2004 and November 23 rd, 2004 in Durham (one in each municipality). The intent of these sessions was three-fold: 1) Introduce the Study; 2) Communicate the need for finding a sustainable means of managing post diversion wastes, and 3) Present the requirements of Ontario s EA Act. The first Public Workshop sessions were held in Durham on February 15 th, 16 th and 17 th, The intent of these sessions was to discuss and obtain public input on: 1) Alternatives reasonably available to manage Durham s residual waste, and 2) The ways for evaluating these alternatives during the EA study to select a preferred alternative. What The Public Had To Say The responses received from the public who attended the consultation events indicate that the reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfill is very important. The majority of those who provided their comments supported the approach the Region of

29 Durham Works Newsletter insert DRAFT. March 14, 2005 Durham is taking to minimize future landfill requirements. Many responses favoured Energy From Waste (EFW) as a preferred technology to manage residual waste in Durham. However, many of those in favour of thermal processes for energy recovery also expressed concern with the long-term implications of thermal technologies on the environment. Residents indicated the need for widespread education on waste diversion programs and the need for the Provincial and Federal governments to promote product stewardship. Residents also expressed interest in hearing about residual waste management technologies used in other countries. A second series of Public Workshop sessions were held on March 22 nd, 23 rd and 24 th, 2005 in Durham. This series of workshops focused on how to choose a site for the facility. Details on the input received at this Workshop will be provided in a future Durham Works Newsletter. The Next Steps A third series of Public Workshop sessions will be held on April 19 th, 20 th and 22 nd, 2005 in Durham. The intent of these sessions will be to discuss and obtain public input on how the public and stakeholders should be consulted during the EA study. How You Can Get Involved Your involvement is an essential part of this Study. There are a number of ways to become involved: Attend future consultation events and provide information to the Study Team. Visit the Region s website: under the "Highlights" tab click on "Residual Waste Disposal Environmental Assessment Study". Through this link you can obtain a description of the Study background together with key Study documents, as they become available. There is also an online comment form available to allow residents to share their comments with the Study Team. We would like to hear from you. Future public Information Sessions on the draft EA Terms of Reference will be scheduled for later in the year. The project commenced in Fall 2004 and the full EA will likely take until 2008 to complete.