Landfill

The Bourne landfill, at its present location, began in an area which is now known as Phases 1A, 1B, 1C, located immediately on the left as you drive into the facility. This unlined area ceased accepting waste in 1999 and is now closed and capped.  In addition to a cap, it also has a network of gas extraction wells that capture landfill gas that is then piped to a flare located in the northeast corner of the site.  The purpose of the flare is to burn landfill gas that might otherwise be vented into the atmosphere.  This serves to reduce air emissions, control odors, and prevent off-site migration.  All future capped areas will have a similar network.

Across from Phases 1A, 1B, 1C is another unlined landfill area known as Phase 1D.  This area is capped with an interim system.  ISWM, in cooperation with DEP, plans to excavate the old waste material, process it to recover metals and landfill or incinerate (at SEMASS) the remaining waste and soils. 

Phase 2, the first lined landfill cell, began receiving non-MSW in 1999.  Located in the far northeast corner of the facility, Phase 2 is currently inactive and is slated for capping in the summer of 2002.  As with Phase 2, and all future landfill cells, precipitation that falls on the landfill and trickles through the waste, otherwise known as leachate, is collected in special pipes under the waste and is pumped to holding tanks.  This liquid is then sent off-site for proper disposal.

In March 2001, ISWM received permission to operate Phase 3.  This is also a lined landfill cell like Phase 2, but it has additional layers of protection and a leak detection system.  All future landfill cells will consist of this “double composite liner” design.  Bourne’s landfill was one of the first facilities in Massachusetts to install this state-of-the-art liner system. 

Phase 2A/3A is the current area of landfilling.  This phase connections the old unlined landfill with the newer, lined Phase 2 and Phase 3 areas.  Current estimates anticipate closure of this area in the winter fall of 2012.  Phase 4 will be the next cell developed and will be located in the space previously occupied by Phase 1D.   This is the area you will notice to your left as you enter the facility.  After this, ISWM may consider filling a small area at the entrance as Phase 5.

The final area of cell development is Phase 6.  This area is where the original DPW buildings and current office trailers are located at the southern end of the old landfill parcel.  The DPW is planning to move off-site and ISWM will relocate its offices to the south. 

After the landfill closes it will be monitored and maintained for at least 30 years utilizing a pre-established post-closure fund required by DEP regulations.  ISWM also has an environmental pollution liability insurance policy with $3,000.000 of coverage.  To ensure compliance, Barnstable County personnel take quarterly groundwater, surfacewater and leachate samples.  The test results are then submitted to both DEP and BOH.  Finally, ISWM staff regularly monitors landfill gas probes and the gas flare.

Other operations

ISWM also operates residential recycling center located at the far end of the site.  This is open 7 days per week in the summer.  This is where residents manage their recyclable, bulky items, construction and demolition (C&D) material and organic materials.  ISWM manages its compost operations in this area as well. 

Just to the east of the recycling center is the baler building where ISWM has a high speed baler that it uses to process recyclables from residents and businesses.  Baled materials can be seen stack awaiting shipment to manufacturers. 

North of the recycling center is the latest addition to the ISWM site.  This is a (C&D) transfer station.  This is where contractors tip loads onto a concrete floor and ISMW operators reload those materials into larger trucks for transport to processors in the region.

Alternative Technologies

In 2012, ISWM, under the direction of the ISWM Landfill Business Model Working Group, will issue two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) soliciting proposals from private vendors.  One will focus on proposals to utilize landfill gas at an area near the landfill.  The other will seek proposals to manage solid waste on parcels of land just behind the recycling center that vendors will lease for up to 25 years.  ISWM is looking for innovative technologies that will manage materials without landfilling them.  Technologies that have been investigated included anaerobic digestion and gasification.