Compost facility implements changes this week
The Hot Springs Compost Facility, 318 Davidson Drive, will implement several operational changes beginning Thursday.
Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. until
4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturdays. The facility will close to the public on Fridays, a news release said.
Self-loading is free, regardless of the amount. Fees for assisted loading — using compost facility equipment and personnel — are $10 per cubic yard for the first
4 yards and $15 for each additional cubic yard. Assisted loading is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The fees apply to loading, not the compost material itself.
The facility receives a lot of yard and logwood waste (green waste) from residents of the city, and even more from commercial and nonresident users, but the city does not charge city residents and wastewater customers of Hot Springs Municipal Utilities for bringing green waste to the facility, according to the release. Beginning Thursday, the tipping fee for commercial operations and non-Municipal Utilities wastewater customers will increase based on the size of the load. Fees will range from
$10 for up to 4 cubic yards (small pickup truck or 12-yard trailer) to $50 for a 50 cubic yard truck or trailer. Proof of residence will require a valid Arkansas driver’s license or state ID with a name and address matching a copy of a recent Municipal Utilities wastewater billing statement.
Hot Springs residents and wastewater customers pay for the compost operations through their monthly billing. Annual facility operations cost between $900,000 and
$1 million. Revenues from assisted loading and the tipping fees amount to less than 10 percent of the operating costs.
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality regulates compost facilities. The Hot Springs Compost Facility utilizes an operating plan approved by ADEQ. The plan places limits on the amount of stockpiled yard and logwood waste on the premises. In order to stay in compliance, there will be times when the facility may not accept green waste when at its permitted capacity and when muddy conditions are present. Frequent users can sign up for email notifications for times when the facility cannot accept materials, the release said.
The operating plan also limits the types of acceptable materials for composting. Treated lumber, building materials, tree roots balls and stumps, dirt, metal, glass and any other trash are prohibited. Incoming loads containing such materials will be rejected.
The facility will give away surplus wood mulch and logs during the month of June. Loading will be provided free of charge.