The V.I. Waste Management Authority provides St. John residents with a project update on the activities at the Susannaberg Transfer Station, which manages all solid waste generated on St. John. It accepts municipal solid waste, green waste, bulk waste, white goods and scrap metals. Certain household hazardous materials are also accepted. All items are then transported to the Bovoni Landfill on St. Thomas for disposal or shipping off island for recycling, according to a press release issued Thursday by VIWMA.
The transfer station is currently being evaluated for upgrading of equipment and expansion of services. The following are the various projects being undertaken to improve the quality of service to the St. John residents.
Planned upgrades to the Susannaberg Transfer Station are as follows:
Compactor – Waste is currently transported daily to St. Thomas either by individual 40-yard bins that are located roadside or by compactor trailers from the transfer station. Currently, the compactors are not operable; therefore, waste from the transfer station is being loaded into additional 40-yard bins and are being transported to St. Thomas. The two compactor units are presently being refurbished, and a new unit is being purchased. Once the compactor units are in place, all household waste will be compacted and transported via compactor.
Tipping Floor – to facilitate the compaction of all waste collected and delivered to the transfer station, a tipping floor will be constructed. It will allow for trucks and bins to deposit their waste onto the floor where it will be sorted. Unacceptable and bulky waste and scrap metals will be removed from the waste stream, and the acceptable waste will be loaded and compacted for transporting. The bids for the construction of the tipping floor are due in to VIWMA on Friday, Feb. 22.
Scrap Metal Removal — This project commenced on Monday, Feb. 18 when contractor VI Recycling started separating, flattening and transporting scrap metal to St. Thomas. This contractor rotates between all three islands’ solid waste facilities to bale and remove all scrap metal. The initial St. John project is scheduled to take eight weeks. Then, the contractor will return to the Bovoni Landfill on St. Thomas and to the Anguilla Landfill on St. Croix before returning to St. John.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection – the authority only accepts certain household hazardous waste, such as electronic devices and fluorescent bulbs, at the Susannaberg Transfer Station for recycling.
Fencing – in an attempt to lessen the influx of farm animals in the transfer station area, the authority will be constructing a fence along the perimeter of the area adjacent to the compactor. VIWMA continues to urge neighboring farmers to contain their livestock to prevent safety hazards on the public roadside and the transfer station property.
“Funding and space limitations continue to be the challenges that the authority faces when trying to improve the level of solid waste services to the island of St. John,” said May Adams Cornwall, executive director. “We are aware of many of the needs, including the replacement of existing aged disposal bins, the need for new collection equipment and a proper facility for staff, but the fiscal constraints continue to limit how much and when these items can be addressed. Nonetheless, I must commend our St. John staff for always being willing to go above and beyond, always putting the needs of the public first and working within the limitations. We will continue to forge ahead to improve disposal and working conditions and appreciate the public’s patience and input.”
For more information, contact the Office of Communications Management at 715-9110 or 690-4218.
