Layout and Design
Depot layout includes considerations such as materials collected, traffic flow, signage, and storage.
Materials Collected
Planning starts with deciding what materials will be received and which ones will be diverted.
The primary tools available to help identify what is in the residential waste stream are waste composition studies and the CIF Depot Costing Model.
Waste Composition Studies provide the most insightful information about waste generation/diversion habits. The CIF has developed resources for conducting both curbside and depot waste composition studies. Alternatively, you can use existing waste study information from communities comparable in size and location to estimate waste generation rates and diversion opportunities. CIF has conducted dozens of residential waste studies including small, rural communities. These studies are available for use in estimating waste generation rates for your community. This won’t be exact, but it should provide a useful starting point.
The CIF Depot Costing Model offers the option for the user to estimate the amount and type of materials in the waste stream based on the community’s population. It is important to note, the depot may also accept materials from local business, municipal offices and facilities and the seasonal population. Efforts should be taken to quantify and address these materials during the design phase.
To determine the diversion feasibility of a targeted material, ask the following questions:
- How much is available and what is the quality?
- What level of community participation in the recycling program can be realistically expected?
- Are there local processing capabilities and are the long term markets viable?
- What are the expected costs to collect, store, transport, process and market?
- Are any local alternatives for reuse or diversion available?
- What are the storage, handling and transportation requirements and can they be managed by existing resources and infrastructure?
- Are there safety, litter or other concerns that can be effectively managed?
- What is the willingness of the public and Council to support the initiative?
Also, work with the MRF to determine if additional revenues or cost savings can be gained by separating out certain materials, such as cardboard, transport packaging, or glass bottles.
The CIF Small Municipal Depot Guidebook provides an example of the decision making process that might take place in assessing whether to divert film at a depot (see page 11).
SHARED EXPERIENCE
Prior to 2013, the Township of Central Frontenac did not pre-sort their fibre stream and received no revenue from the MRF. By separating cardboard (OCC), they started generating revenue, receiving $2,120.98 in 2013 and $4,137.41 in 2014. Read the final project report.
Depots have the ability to provide services not feasible elsewhere (e.g. curbside mattress collection). As the Province obligates industry to assume greater producer responsibilities, depots may play a more important role in servicing new EPR programs.
Currently, depots provide for a number of EPR programs including waste electronics, municipal hazardous and special waste (MHSW), tires, paints and batteries. Depots can provide other diversion opportunities like reuse, textiles, used oil, ceramics, bikes and opportunities to partner with organizations that can use the collected materials.
Reuse Centres
Depots, especially those affiliated with a landfill or transfer point for garbage are increasingly providing reuse centres. These can be very basic or sophisticated but all of them enable people to donate gently used goods that others can remove for reuse. Municipalities must control what can be donated to protect against potential liability. The table below identifies items typically accepted and not accepted.
Items typically accepted | Items typically not accepted |
|
|
Textile Recycling
Textile waste can be handled at depots by introducing dedicated recycling bins and partnering with non-profit organizations to remove and process the material. Municipalities must educate residents about what can be accepted in a textile recycling program. Most residents believe that only gently used clothing and shoes can be accepted, however, some charities also accept linens, towels, torn clothing, leather belts and boots, purses, blankets, rags, etc.
SHARED EXPERIENCE
The City of Markham implemented a textile recycling program in which 10 city-managed donation containers were located at local Depots, Fire Stations and select Community Centres. The textiles are collected and processed by the Salvation Army.
Used Oil Collection
Municipalities must take care in selecting the type of collection container used. It is recommended that a ULC approved (ULC-S-652 or ULC-ORD-C142.21) oil storage tank be installed. The tank is double walled and has a specifically designed venting system to allow for rapid movement of air into the tank to prevent collapse while being emptied or bursting from heat expansion. These units cost $2,500 for a small tank (1,100 L) to about $4,000 for a large tank (2,200 L).
Partnerships
Some municipalities partner with non-profit organizations (i.e. Salvation Army, Goodwill, Vincent St. Paul and Habitat for Humanity) who benefit from access to diverted reusable materials. These organizations often erect enclosed structures or operate out of a modified transport trailer.
SHARED EXPERIENCE
Halton Region has partnered with the Salvation Army to operate a donation trailer at their Waste Management site. Usable items in resalable condition are accepted. The trailer operates the same hours as the Waste Management site. The trailer provides dry, secure storage to reduce theft and weather damage.
Layout and Traffic Flow
Spending the time and money up front to thoroughly plan the layout will pay off by ensuring that the depot configuration operates efficiently and safely for decades.
Depot design and operating configuration largely depends on:
- Property size
- Existing and planned site uses
- Amount and type of material to be managed and future EPR program impacts
- Numbers and types of vehicle traffic
- Changes in community growth/user characteristics/needs over time
Prior to expanding or establishing a depot it is important to address future population growth (permanent and seasonal) and the expected impact on increased traffic flow and material tonnages. Plans also need to consider how the layout and configuration are impacted by new, viable diversion markets and/or new producer responsibility programs. Consider potential scenarios, such as new programs for carpets, mattresses or furniture. Where could the separate collection and storage take place in the depot? How would traffic flow be handled safely?
Size and potential growth expectations may impact the decision to build a temporary or permanent depot. Smaller, less frequently used depots may benefit by having a temporary arrangement consisting of front end bins that can easily be moved around and repurposed when required providing flexibility at minimal cost. Larger depots experiencing high vehicle traffic will benefit from a more permanent set up featuring scale houses and sawtooth structures. These structures require higher upfront capital costs to construct but offer an effective and safe way to manage higher vehicle flows.
Municipalities often start with a simple set up (e.g. front end bins) and gradually transition to a more permanent set up (e.g. concrete structures, compactors).
The waste hierarchy sets waste prevention and minimization as the highest priority followed by reuse and recycling, then disposal as the lowest priority. Depot layout should use the waste hierarchy as a guide to plan traffic flow by presenting users with divert/reuse options before a final disposal option. As users frequent the depot and become more familiar with the layout, they will be encouraged to segregate materials at home for recycling and reuse in order to shorten their time on site. Differential tipping fees can further encourage hierarchy principles when disposable materials are accepted for a higher fee compared to recyclable and reusable materials.
SHARED EXPERIENCE
The McCleary Court Community Environmental Centre (CEC) in York Region was designed to follow the waste management hierarchy. Users are presented with reuse and recycling opportunities first, before being offered disposal as the last option.
Traffic and user convenience are key to effective and efficient depot operations. A well designed traffic flow configuration should reduce user time, traffic congestion and safety concerns. Some better practices include placing a scale house or kiosk at the entrance, establishing a circular, one-way traffic flow, and keeping smaller vehicle traffic separated from larger vehicles and equipment.
Scale houses and kiosks
Scale houses, kiosks, signage and staff play an important role in operations by helping to control traffic flow, ensure security and safety for users and direct users on proper usage of the services. Depending on the size and popularity of the depot, a municipality may choose to install a scale house or a kiosk at the entrance of the depot.
A small vehicle scale will allow the municipality to keep records of the amount of material received and the amount diverted versus disposed. Scales are typically paired with a scale house to allow an attendant to record inbound/outbound vehicles and manage traffic flow. Scales can help reduce wait times compared to relying on an attendant to visually assess the volume of materials. Cost considerations include the size and features of scales, computers, software, maintenance and amortization.
Kiosks without scales allow staff to monitor depot usage and maintain traffic flow. Attendants can oversee volume-based payment transactions and manually track vehicle numbers as well as play a vital role in promotion and education.
One-way traffic flow
A one-way approach to traffic flow has been used in many depots resulting in fewer accidents, shorter wait times, improved convenience and an overall safer operating environment for both the public and staff. This better practice applies to both permanent and temporary depot layouts.
Permanent depots often use long-lasting curbs and markings to direct traffic. Temporary depots can use pylons, paint, chalk or physical barriers (e.g. barricades, barriers, rope or chain) and arrow signs to direct traffic.
Keep small vehicles and large equipment separated
Finally, a key safety measure is to ensure as much as possible that small vehicles and user activities are segregated from equipment. To minimize unwanted vehicle interactions:
- Establish “truck only” access areas, with signs posted for emphasis
- Allow only transfer vehicles to access a bin area from the service side
- Schedule removal of materials from the bunkers and bins at either very low traffic user times or before or after receiving hours
- Have staff monitor the areas when large vehicles are present
Storage and Transfer
Proper storage and handling of recyclables ensures higher quality and market revenues. Keeping materials separated and contamination free is critical. Storage requirements will also determine transfer handling costs and overall site dimensions.
The type of storage required at a depot will depend on:
- The amount and type of materials expected to be received in relation to the level of waste collection service provided in the community (e.g. curbside collection or self-haul only), the level of seasonal population and the type of waste generators (e.g. residential and/or commercial) permitted to use the depot. Depots accessible to small commercial businesses are typically required to manage much larger quantities of cardboard than resident only depots.
- The geographic distance to markets/processing and the maximum length of storage time feasible. The further the distance to markets, the longer materials will be stored at the depot to ensure transport is financially viable.
- The overall size of the depot. The larger the site, the more opportunity for material separation and the more storage options available. Remote sites lacking hydro are more restricted in the types of diversion activities offered.
The slides below explores the uses, pros and cons of the most common storage solutions, including piles, bunkers, carts, open and closed bins, containers, in-ground containers, compactors, and enclosed structures. More storage sophistication, i.e. providing greater volume and protection from the elements, also incurs higher capital costs.
Storage Solutions
Piles
Used for wood waste, asphalt shingles, mixed C&D material, scrap metal, tires, brush, yard waste, concrete, mattresses.
Pros
- Used for large, awkward and hard to contain materials
- Least expensive approach
- Minimal preparation of ground required, can be used on gravel, pads, compacted stone chips or earth
Cons
- Need adequate room to accommodate spreading of pile
- Challenges with containing loose materials
- Potential challenges with blowing materials causing dust and litter
- More odour prone
- Safety concerns if material strewn or pile unstable
- No protection from vectors or the elements which may affect markets
Bunkers
Used for asphalt shingles, drywall, large durable plastics, yard waste, tires, appliances, concrete, bulky waste
Pros
- Keeps materials separated
- Can modify size by moving blocks
- Helps contain materials and prevent pile spreading
- Reduces cross contamination
- Blocks can be used to make any size of containment
- Minimal preparation of ground, can be used on gravel, pads or earth
- Reduces overall site footprint
Cons
- Pre-fab blocks cannot act as push wall
- Potential challenges with blowing materials causing dust and litter
- More odour prone
- Need to plan for adequate size to enable equipment to access and move material
- Capital cost and assembly required
- Periodic maintenance required
Carts
Used for recyclables, organics and textiles
Pros
- Easy to move around
- Easy to buy colour-coded bins
- Protects materials from inclement weather and animals
- reduces problems of litter, dust, odour
- 10 year warranty
Cons
- Easy to hide contamination
- Low storage capacity
- Need many to accommodate peak capacity
- Capital cost and assembly required
- Specialty equipment needed to service carts
- More easily damaged
Open Bins
Used for garbage, bulky waste, furniture, carpets, mattresses, scrap metal, appliances. Typical sizes are 20 – 55 yd³ bins
Pros
- Typically used with a sawtooth structure to provide easy user access
- Can be tarped to protect materials during inclement weather
- Provides some protection from blowing materials causing dust and litter
- Easier to monitor for contamination and take measures to rectify
- Larger shipping capacity
Cons
- Important to place bins to allow easy snow clearing, tarping, moving
- More odour prone
- Requires major equipment to handle and move
- Bulky and not easy to move
- Capital cost and infrastructure required
- No compaction increases shipping costs
- Requires guards for user fall protection
Front End Loading Bins
Used for garbage, recyclables containers and papers, cardboard, textiles. Typical sizes are 4, 6, 8 yd³ bins
Pros
- Protects material from inclement weather, vectors theft
- Significantly reduces problems of litter, dust and odour
- Smaller bins are more mobile and easier to place in smaller depots
- Smaller bins can be loaded using front end or rear loading garbage trucks
Cons
- Not easy to access if more than two users present
- May result in wait times and potential frustration
- Not easy to monitor for contamination
- Short or elderly users may need assistance to access
- Platforms may be needed to access larger bins
- Capital cost and specialty equipment required
Sea Containers
Used for garbage, recyclables containers and paper, cardboard, textiles, electronics. Examples: 20 and 40 ft. sea containers.
Pros
- Easy to access
- Protects material from inclement weather
- Significantly reduces problems of litter, dust and odour
- Doors can be closed and locked when not in use
- Allows easy transportation by rail
Cons
- Construction costs vary depending on sophistication and size
- Requires additional site space
- May require additional approvals and permits
- Maintenance required
- Increased landscaping and snow clearing costs
- Permanent installation reduces site flexibility
In Ground Containers
Used for garbage, recyclables containers and papers, cardboard, organics. Examples: Molox and Alpha
Pros
- Larger containers offer greater capacity and minimal maintenance costs
- Lids keep rain and vectors out
- Provide odour control
- Containers are durable
Cons
- Installation is expensive
- Containers are costly
- Contamination is easily hidden
- Need to modify equipment (e.g. collection vehicles, dump trucks) or hire special vehicles for collection. See shared experience below.
Compactors
Used for garbage, recyclables containers and papers, cardboard, organics. Examples: solar, fossil fuel and hydro powered
Pros
- Can increase storage volume by more than doubling the weight of the stored material
- Can be used with or without hydro on site
- Can use specialty 40 yd³ containers
- Can reduce transportation costs, especially in remote areas
Cons
- Installation is expensive
- Contamination is easily hidden
- Requires training to handle safely
- Specialized bins and maintenance required increase costs
- Infrastructure may be required
- Permanent installation reduces site flexibility
Enclosed Structures
Used for reusable goods, special waste, storage of other containers
Pros
- Easy to access
- Protects material from inclement weather
- Doors can be added and locked when not in use
Cons
- Construction costs vary depending on sophistication and size
- Requires additional site space
- May require additional approvals and permits
- Maintenance required
- Increased landscaping and snow clearing costs
- Permanent installation reduces site flexibility
SHARED EXPERIENCE
In 2014, Sequin installed eight electrically powered compactors at four main depots. The Township expected that the units would increase recycling tonnage in a 40 yd3 container from the current average of 1 tonne to 4-6 tonnes based on the type of material (containers or fibres) collected and reduce transportation costs accordingly.
The compaction system has reduced hauling trips by approximately 600% (one trip compacted versus six uncompacted). The projected reduction in annual haul costs has been estimated at about $80,000. Based on this saving, the project payback period will be approximately 6 years. Read the final report.
SHARED EXPERIENCE
The Township of Madawaska Valley installed in-ground containers at its depot/landfill and grocery stores (18 in total) to collect organic material at a cost of $4,000 per unit (2013). A collection truck was retrofitted by installing a rear crane (cost $30,000) to enable lifting the containers to empty the contents into the top of the truck. Organic material is processed at the Ottawa Valley Waste Recovery Centre (OVWRC) compost facility.
Depot layout will impact the type of bins selected and how they are configured to maximize user and staff safe access and handling. Bin placement may be at ground level, with walk-in, side or top access, or elevated with a ramp or saw-tooth loading structure.
Ground Level Access
Smaller front end load bins are typically placed on the ground and require users to feed materials through openings at the side or top. Larger bins (40 yd3) may be placed on the ground but require stairs and platforms to enable easier access to the openings or access through open bin doors. Stairs and platforms must be constructed to minimize slips during inclement weather and kept free of snow and ice. Some large bins open from the side, enabling users to discard material from ground level, however, the bins rarely reach full capacity using this approach.
For safe access, bins should be placed side by side facing one direction to eliminate the need for cars to back-up or turn around. If vehicles need to use a bin at the front of the line then road space should be provided to circle back to the beginning of the line.
SHARED EXPERIENCE
When The Township of Central Frontenac switched to a clear bag program and introduced new recycling materials, it experienced a 15% increase in fibres and 29% increase in containers. The original 16 yd3 bins used for recyclables lacked capacity to deal with the increase and were side loading, at chest height, resulting in partially filled bins.
When the Township upgraded the bins to 40 yd3, wooden platforms were added to access the top loading bins. Site preparation was completed by municipal staff. All platforms were built at one facility and trucked in for installation. Staff leveled the sites and installed concrete pads saving the Township significant installation costs.
Total tonnage received increased by 18% but hauling requirements actually decreased. While financial savings were not realized due to increased hauling rates, higher costs for the additional material shipped were avoided because the bins are now filled to capacity before removal.
The Township needed to address platform accessibility and health and safety issues. Staff effectively dealt with user concerns by reassuring them that staff would provide assistance and posted a sign at each bin stating “If you require assistance, please ask the attendant. They will be happy to help.” Staff typically help seniors and people with disabilities get their material up the stairs. Read the final report.
Elevated Access
Larger sites may choose to construct top load, drive up and drop off areas with sawtooth bin walls for 40 yd3 bins. This design enables users to conveniently park above and toss material down into a large capacity bin then drive down the other side. The sawtooth structures can be basic, using earth as the raised bed, or more sophisticated using precast modular cement blocks or poured concrete.
Sawtooth structures typically force traffic to move in one direction by entering the structure at one end and exiting at the other. The other major benefit is the ability to keep small vehicles (users) safely separated from large vehicles (transporters and equipment). The downside is the lack of flexibility to accommodate additional bins for material separation, hence, planning for future growth is critical when initially installing concrete sawtooth facilities.
Other public safety features include:
Guardrails
Heavy gauge galvanized steel guardrails should be installed for any drop off where customers risk falling into bins. Rails will be used for leverage so design accordingly for strength, user abuse and slow speed vehicle contact. Another alternative is to build lower structures so that the top of the bins are at waist level and act as their own guardrails. The downside is that if all sawtooth positions are not filled with bins, an unguarded opening is accessible by the public.
Signs
Directional indicators, such as arrows and markings, are used to direct traffic or show where bins are located. Other signs can warn users of potential dangers.
Barriers
Use barriers to delineate areas and direct traffic flow. Temporary barriers such as safety chains, cones, tape, pylons or chalk can warn users about potential problem areas or direct traffic. Permanent barriers like barricades, fencing and curbs offer protection from potentially dangerous areas.
SHARED EXPERIENCE
In 2013, the Township of French River introduced landfill and depot upgrades. The modifications included construction of a concrete loading ramp with bins, to enable users to drive up and unload materials, installation of an asphalt turning area, new entrances, chain link fencing, supply of 8 yd3 recycling bins and directional signage. In addition, guardrails, a litter fence and a fence around the perimeter of the facility were installed.
After the upgrades, the Township experienced about 30% savings in operating costs. The improved site design has reduced the staff time required to monitor and clean recycling bins and collect litter, resulting in lower staffing and equipment costs. Read the final report.