[audio:http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/TheGreen-10242014-CompostClose.mp3|titles= Delaware Public Media's Tom Byrne interviews State Rep. JJ Johnson about closing of Peninsula Compost.]
State environmental officials are shutting down a problem organic waste recycling center that’s spawned numerous complaints from neighbors since it opened five years ago – most relating to the odor created by the facility.
DNREC is declining to re-issue Peninsula Compost’s five-year “Beneficial Use Determination” (BUD) recycling permit, forcing it to shutdown. The company will have to finish composting all remaining material by January and remove it by March 2015.
In a statement, DNREC Secretary David Small says the company “placed a undue burden on the quality of life of residents in the City of Wilmington, parts of the City of New Castle and part of New Castle County.”
In his order, Small acknowledges mounting complaints from residents to the state over the past several years, saying the “the record is overwhelming that the facility should not continue to operate under a new BUD.”
Causes for the foul odor permeating the surrounding area for miles are numerous.
State officials say equipment used to help contain the gasses has been non-operational, sometimes for extended periods of time.
Managing partner Andrew DiSabatino says he’s not sure about these specific allegations, but there have been problems.
“We acknowledge that some of the selections of the equipment in the initial design were probably wrong and we’ve been struggling with that,” said DiSabatino. “There’s been mistakes made. There’s no question about it.”
The company stored more compost materials on-site than approved by DNREC regulators and the mixture of food waste with yard materials were too high at times.
The company has been cited for several violations by DNREC over the years, with outraged residents complaining at a public forum in August.
Small says the agency tried to correct problems at the site and needed time to try and implement those actions.
“It was a very deliberative process and it may have taken long in some people’s eyes, but I think the time it took was the time that it needed to make the decision.”
Peninsula officials say they will not try to reopen another composting operation in the future.
The facility opened in December 2009 and had been processing about 115,000 tons of waste per year.
Previous coverage:
Residents and lawmakers raise a stink over Wilmington compost facility
Fate of food waste sent to Wilmington uncertain if Peninsula Compost facility closes
Wilmington compost company remains focus of odor complaints
Wilmington recycling facility fined for odors, other violations
Waste not, want not: Wilmington compost center bets on “green’ business model