Daufuskie Island Conservancy Receives Large Grant

July 8, 2011

Daufuskie Island Conservancy to Study Waste and Recycling

Daufuskie Island, S.C.  – The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has awarded a Community Impact Challenge Grant to the Daufuskie Island Conservancy in support of its efforts to establish a “One Island Waste and Recycling Facility” to serve all of the island’s residents, businesses and visitors.

“The current waste removal system of open containers periodically removed from the island on barges is both environmentally unacceptable and unreasonably costly to both the local community and county taxpayers,” said Conservancy President, Laura Winholt.

The Community Foundation agreed to match funds raised by the Conservancy, up to $12,350. Upon news of the Foundation’s award, an anonymous donor came forward with matching funds in the full amount, giving the organization the capital needed to move forward with the project. The Conservancy is now in the process of conducting Phase I of the project, a waste and recycling study by Joyce Engineering, Inc. that will analyze the island’s needs, create a site design and produce an integrated service plan.

“We are thrilled to have received this generous grant from the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry,” said Winholt. “Finding a solution that benefits everyone and also serves to protect our fragile island environment is vitally important and the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s support will make it possible.”

Winholt noted that at present the solid waste removal systems have no coordination amongst themselves, thus creating expensive duplication of services on this eight square mile bridgeless island. “With a one-island waste and recycling facility, all residents and businesses would have a large facility with recycling and composting programs available to them.  The total amount of trash to be barged off the island can be reduced considerably and contribute substantial savings to the county”, she said.

According to the Daufuskie Island Conservancy, the following would be accomplished with the one-island waste and recycling facility:

The facility would manage both residential and commercial waste and would operate using earth-friendly practices.

Recyclable plastic items would be baled and sold as raw material for remanufacture into new products.

Paper products and metals would be compacted and sold to vendors for reuse.

A pulverized glass analysis will be conducted to determine the feasibility of using the pulverized glass to stabilize the island’s dirt road beds.  It is known that pulverized glass can be used in drainage applications and as a portion of the components of structural concrete.  This 100% reuse of recycled glass on the island would significantly reduce the cost of barging it off the island for dumping into a mainland landfill.

Community composting will be introduced for residents and businesses.  It is estimated that  25% of typical household waste is from food scraps and yard trimmings.  Composting, which is turned back into nutrient-dense soil, will divert even more waste from the landfill.

A Biomass Power Generator is being further investigated for use at the facility.

The study, which is expected to be completed this fall, is an essential first step in the process. Community meetings as well as Historical and Community Impact Studies will be necessary to determine the operation and location of the facility.  The Conservancy is committed to planning for the future waste needs of the island and to consolidating services.

The Daufuskie Island Conservancy is a non-profit organization that was formed in 2005 to provide environmental education and help protect the natural environment of Daufuskie Island and the surrounding ecosystem.  The Conservancy promotes sustainable living and implements programs that encourage earth friendly practices.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Laura Winholt, Daufuskie Island Conservancy president, 843-842-5990, email:  HYPERLINK “mailto:db1945@hargray.com” www.daufuskieislandconservancy.org

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Carolyn Torgersen, VP for Marketing and Communications, Community Foundation

843-681-9100,  Email: ctorgersen@cf-lowcountry.org