Peninsula Compost Co. issued a statement today noting that the facility was on its way to being shut down prior to an order by DNREC Secretary David Small.
That state order, released today, also called for shutting down the site in the city following complaints about odors.
Peninsula spokesman E. Andrew DiSabatino said the company made the decision four weeks ago to stop receiving food, yard and waste wood products at the site and “essentially voluntarily shutting the facility down.”
He stated that the decision was made to “minimize potential future impacts to the community,” adding that the odors operation had “been under criticism by local resident and political leaders for adding to the pre-existing odors of the local landfill and sewage treatment plant.”
Owners of the site near the Port of Wilmington will review the DNREC order while processing of material at the site continues. The order gives the site until January 16, 2015 to complete processing of existing material.
“Peninsula Compost Company has placed an undue burden on the quality of life of residents in the City of Wilmington, parts of the City of New Castle and part of New Castle County – particularly those living in close proximity to the facility due to frequent uncontrolled odors,” Small stated in a release. “The company has been unable to maintain compliance with DNREC’s Beneficial Use Determination permit.”
The Peninsula Compost Company began operating the Wilmington Organic Recycling Center in December 2009. The company was processing about 115,000 tons of waste per year.
The order cited numerous problems with maintaining equipment and facilities at the site.
“We established the facility with the excitement of creating jobs and being good environmental stewards,” DiSabatino stated.
