By Stan Matthews
County Website and Communications Manager
San Juan County Officials opened two proposals for the use of the San Juan Island Solid Waste Facility at 4 p.m. on October 1. Kentec Energy USA in association with Evergreen Engineering and Laudenbach Industries has proposed to operate the facility initially as a drop box facility, but with plans to construct a gasification system capable of using up to 30 tons of solid waste, plastics, cardboard, used oil and other waste products to produce electricity.
Cimarron Enterprises was the second bidder. Its proposal would continue the operation of the facility as a drop box for self-hauled solid waste and recycling, with possible expansion to handle waste collected by a certified hauler.
The bids will be reviewed by a committee which will pass its recommendations on to the County Council. Copies of the proposals and background documents on the County’s request for proposal are available on the County’s website at: https://sanjuanco.com/sw-rfp/
San Juan County is transitioning out of the solid waste handling business and – in conjunction with the Town of Friday Harbor, which owns the core area of the site on Sutton Road – is seeking private operators to take over its solid waste facilities. A certified hauler, San Juan Sanitation, is providing the option of home pick up of trash and recycling.
The County solid waste utility is now negotiating with groups (including Cimarron Enterprises) for operations at the Orcas Facility. The County facility on Lopez Island is slated to be operated by a local solid waste district.
