Southwest Virginia Solid Waste Management Association
Quarterly Meeting June 2009
Our June Meeting was Wednesday June 10th, at 10:00 a.m. at PME Compost, LLC.The Southwest Virginia Solid Waste Management Association
June 10, 2009, Quarterly Meeting Minutes:
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at Poplar Manor Enterprises (PME) Compost LLC. The facility is located in Riner, VA. SVSWMA members were introduced to Calin and Mindy Farley the owners of PME. Approximately 30 members were in attendance.
Calin and Mindy described their composting operation. PME is located on a 135 acre tract of land. The facility began as "on farm" composting in 2006. In January, 2009, the farm was permitted as a Category 3 facility. The Category 3 permit allowed PME to begin accepting "off farm" materials. The facility receives leaves, food-waste, sawdust, vegetative waste, and other organic materials. However, the facility is not permitted to handle sludge. PME is permitted to accept up to 1,125 tons per year.
PME became the first food waste collection contractor in the area. PME has partnerships with Kroger, Virginia Tech, schools, country clubs, etc. for the collection and processing of organic waste materials. PME utilizes a modified rear loader for the collection of materials. Materials are collected in 48 gallon carts. Once the carts are dumped into the rear loader, the truck is equipped with a spray system that allows PME to clean the collection cart before placing back at the customer’s dock.
PME described how the compost is processed, including how foreign materials are separated, how the material is turned, and the internal temperatures required. PME showed members their incoming product and their finished product. PME offers the finished product for sale either in bulk or bags. In addition, local nurseries sell bags of their finished product.
Following the presentation, members traveled to Ray’s Restaurant in Floyd for lunch. Following lunch, a Board meeting was held.
June 10, 2009 Board Meeting:
Board Members Present: Jeff Blevins, President, Sheldon Cash, Vice-President, Teresa Sweeney, Past President, Mark Flippo, Board Member
The Board discussed the September 16-18, 2009 annual conference to be held in Roanoke, VA at the Holiday Inn – Tanglewood. The Board discussed having a "motorcycle ride" in lieu of the previous poker run that has been discussed. A poker run would require a large number of members to staff the event, which would be difficult to accomplish. The Board discussed the events to be offered at the conference, including the Wednesday night, and Thursday night food/music/etc. The Board discussed the tentative speakers list for the conference and is working to finalize the listing.
The next Board meeting will be held in July.