The Solid Waste Association of North America awarded the V.I. Waste Management Authority and contractor Sanitas Partners their 2013 Bronze Excellence Award in the transfer station category for the new St. Croix transfer station that began operations in June 2012.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has directed that both of the territory’s landfills be closed and the Federal Aviation Administration wants the Anguilla landfill, in particular, to be closed soon because birds attracted to the landfill are a flight hazard to the nearby Henry E. Rohlsen airport. The transfer center and a convenience center at Peter’s Rest with separate bins for recyclables, are part of VIWMA’s plans to move to a different model of trash disposal and accomplish that closure.
The transfer station accepts and processes waste through a bale and wrap method. The bales are then placed at the Anguilla landfill, which is now closed, as part of the pre-closure procedure. The convenience center opened in April 2013.
The landfill is no longer accepting trash from consumers, and the bales produced by the transfer station are being used to form slopes for final closure. Eventually, the bales will either have to be shipped off-island; processed further into fuel for power generation, or stowed in a new landfill somewhere on St. Croix.
SWANA’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding solid waste programs and facilities that advance environmentally and economically sound solid waste management. It focuses on those that use effective technology and advance work and public safety and have successful public education programs.
Programs also must demonstrate they are fiscally and environmentally responsible through their compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
"I would like you to join me in congratulating the Engineering and Solid Waste divisions of St. Croix in particular for their hard work and diligence in the project and construction management and the start-up and operation of the St. Croix transfer station," WMA Executive Director May Adams-Cornwall said in a statement.
"Congratulations are definitely in order for you and the entire team! A defining moment for the Authority," said WMA Board of Directors Chairman Darryl Smalls, who is also commissioner of Public Works.
SWANA announced the 2013 Excellence Awards July 21.
"The recipients of the SWANA Excellence Awards represent the best solid waste management practices in North America today," said SWANA Executive Director John Skinner.
This year’s awards honor 37 programs and facilities in 13 different categories, spanning many facets of the municipal solid waste industry. The winners will be given their awards at the annual WASTECON conference in Long Beach, Ca. on Sept. 17.
