RESOURCEREDEVELOPMENT:

Second-Generation Transfer Stations

Daniel Knapp, Ph.D. For the GRRN Zero Waste National

Zero Waste Action Conference JULY 30, 2011

The Problem

Many current transfer stations were built when landfills were closing in the early 1980s.

Now they’re outmoded and dilapidated.

They need to be rebuilt.

What do the new transfer stations need?

They need to be Zero Waste transfer stations.

Zero-Waste Transfer Stations

• Architecture and fee structures carry out policy priorities.

• Organize dropoff areas around load types and contents to promote highest and best recovery.

• Wasting costs the most. Except for some regulated materials.

• Commodity-specific fees are key.

Receiving Areas

• Reuse.

• Containers and fibers.

• Construction and demolition materials.

• Landscape materials.

• Regulated materials.

• Wasting.

They Require a New Set of Design Principles

Urban Ore’s concepts and approach were developed with the late Mark Gorrell, Architect.

The First One - 1982

From the May-June SIERRA magazine.

They Can Be New Purpose-Built Facilities

Lowestoft, England - for Rick Anthony and Associates

They Can Rebuild Completely

Berkeley, California, a design we volunteered and donated. It hasn’t been built – yet.

Berkeley from the top

Materials Flow

They Can Retrofit Old Facilities

Burbank, California - in process, with Architect Greg VanMechelen (vanmechelenarchitects.com).

Early design provides 3 options.

Option 1, No New Land

Multiple design constraints include solid existing buildings to be partially repurposed; scales; narrow oddly shaped site; crowded traffic. Adaptations and compromises are required.

Design in process.

Option 2, Some New Land

Assumes adding some land from adjoining CalTrans site. Areas expand, entrances and exits change, and more.

Design in process.

Use entire CalTrans site with building, change traffic. Doubles size. Better reuse and recycling before fee gate, more throughput.

Option 3, Acquire All CalTrans Land under Freeway

Design in process.

Go Forth and Design

Go forth and design.

The EndThe End

900 Murray St.Berkeley, CA 94710phone 510-841-SAVE

Daniel Knapp, Ph.DPresident

Dr.ore@urbanore.comUrbanore.com