APRIL 2019
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GBB Assisting Taunton, Massachusetts with Long-Term Sustainable Alternatives as Landfill Scheduled to Close
The City of Taunton, MA's contract for operations of its landfill with a private-sector operator will expire when it is full and no longer permitted to accept waste, now estimated to be no later than December 2019. Recognizing that the benefits it has been receiving from the landfill operator will end in the near future and that it is necessary to develop alternatives to lessen the impact of losing the approximate $3+ million in annual benefits that accrue to the City from its contractual arrangement, the City tasked GBB with reviewing its solid waste management systems and services
In December 2018, following a strategic review of the City's solid waste management services, contracts, and service providers in order to identify opportunities and develop a long-term vision for the future system and services, the GBB project team provided a briefing and a final report to present the findings of the analysis, discuss strategies on how to advance Taunton's future solid waste management system and services, and get feedback. GBB is now working on the procurement and negotiations of services alongside the City of Taunton as it is developing long-term plans for solid waste management. Finding a sustainable solution that blends environmental responsibility and economic viability is of utmost importance to the City as it works together with GBB to identify and secure alternative option(s) for disposal over the coming months, including the potential for working cooperatively with nearby jurisdictions and alternatives to landfilling.
Founded in 1637 by members of the Plymouth Colony, Taunton is one of the oldest towns in the United States. Located approximately 40 miles south of Boston, and 18 miles east of Providence, Taunton became a city in 1864 and now has a total population of approximately 56,000. Taunton's Department of Public Works is responsible for collection of solid waste and recyclables, including special collections for yard waste, from its residents plus City buildings and public areas. It also places dumpsters at neighborhood events and community functions and plays an active role in special cleanup programs. The landfill, permitted to handle up to 685 tons per day, provides for the disposal of municipal solid waste, non-municipal solid waste, municipal sewage sludge, and grit and screenings from Taunton's municipal wastewater treatment plant.
New National League of Cities Report on Recycling Co-authored by GBB Project Manager Corinne Rico
Download the report via the National League of Cities' website and feel free to contact Corinne at crico@gbbinc.com with comments and questions! Kent County, Michigan Sustainable Business Park Updates
A bold goal to divert, by 2030, 90% of County-generated trash that goes to landfills was set by Kent County, MI. Building a Sustainable Business Park is an essential part of reaching that goal, helping to significantly reduce trash buried in landfills and attract investment and jobs from companies that can convert waste into usable products. Developments in the past few months of this project, of which GBB is a proud Planning Partner, include:
September 2018 – Opening of Interactive Recycling Exhibit at Recycling and Education CenterEducating the next generations is key to the County's success with the upcoming Sustainable Business Park and circular economy system. With that in mind, a $300,000 interactive, hands-on recycling exhibit was unveiled in September at the County Recycling and Education Center. The exhibit includes a wall depicting a landfill scene, with sound of heavy machinery. Visitors are then provided with a brief history of recycling, and the facility's recycling process is explained through educational boards and interactive exhibits. Visitors can also observe real, live recycling operations from the walkway overlooking the facility.
October 2018 – Plan ApprovalThe Kent County Board of Public Works formally approved the Sustainable Business Park Master Plan, setting in motion implementation of the ambitious project.
November 2018 - Dar Baas Interviewed about the Sustainable Business ParkIn a 12-minute interview on WKTV, Darwin Baas (Director of the Kent County, MI, Department of Public Works) discussed details of the Sustainable Business Park Master Plan.
Click the image to see the 12-minute interview:
March 2019 – Phase 2 Towards Plan ImplementationWith an approved plan in hand, the County's project development team's task is now to turn it into reality. The initial step of this phase, starting in March, is to identify key goals for the Sustainable Business Park; determine their importance and weight; and review / score / rank the responses received during the Request for Information process. With the clock ticking on the three-year timeline to make the project a reality and avoid developing the 250 acres into a landfill expansion, the vision of the Sustainable Business Park is within reach. GBB is happy to be on the implementation team to make it happen.
For more information, visit the Kent County Sustainable Business Park section of GBB's website for continuous updates on the project.
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