1. SECTION 4.7
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
4.7.1 Introduction
4.7.2 Regulatory Requirements
4.7.3 Standard Operating Practices
A. YARD WASTES
B. DOMESTIC REFUSE C. SCRAP
METAL
D. BATTERIES
E. CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS
4.7.4 Colleague Example

3. SECTION 4.7
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
4.7.1 Introduction
Solid wastes generated by golf courses include the following:
• Grass clippings, leaves and tree trimmings (also known as "Yard Wastes")
• Food wastes, cans, bottles, paper, cardboard and glass generated by the office, clubhouse and
concessions (commonly referred to as "Domestic Refuse")
• Scrap metal from maintenance operations
• Batteries (vehicle and dry cells)
• Filters (oil, air, etc.)
• Vehicle tires
• Construction and demolition debris (i.e., wood, concrete, drywall, insulation, metals, wire, etc.)
• Containers (e.g., fertilizer bags, pesticide containers, oil containers, paint cans, brushes, etc.).
Of these wastes, yard wastes represent the largest volume. However, from a liability perspective,
the management of small volume, potentially hazardous wastes, such as batteries and chemical
containers, should not be overlooked by the superintendent.
Waste management issues for those materials, which pose the greatest potential hazard, including
fertilizer bags, pesticide containers, oil filters and containers and solvent containers, are discussed

4. in other sections. This section deals only with yard wastes, domestic refuse, scrap metal, batteries,
and construction and demolition debris.
4.7.2 Regulatory Requirements
Provincial environmental legislation generally places restrictions on the types of wastes, which can
be deposited in landfills. In general, potentially hazardous wastes such as batteries cannot be
disposed of in landfills unless the landfills are specifically designed to accommodate such material.
In addition, certain provinces require notification of any large-scale composting operations.
However, most composting operations associated with golf course operations would not be
sufficiently large to warrant notification.
A summary of the applicable legislation and regulations, regulatory contacts and specific
requirements for golf course waste management issues is presented in Table 4.32.
Despite this legislation, the provinces generally do not get involved in solid waste management
issues. Typically, municipalities are responsible for waste collection, landfills and waste reduction
(e.g., recycling). Therefore in most instances you will be dealing with the local municipality on
solid waste management-related issues.
Municipalities regulate waste-reduction requirements and determine the types of wastes that can be
deposited in their landfills. Some municipalities may require you to separate certain types of wastes
(e.g., newspapers, plastics, glass, etc.) for recycling purposes. Each municipality is different, so be
sure that you understand the requirements in your particular area.
Municipal bylaws also regulate the burning of solid wastes (e.g., trees, wood demolition debris).
Check with the municipality to determine restrictions on burning, and if a burn permit is required.
4.7.3 Standard Operating Practices
A. YARD WASTES
Options available for the management of yard wastes include:
• Composting (for grass clippings, leaves and branches less than 12 mm (0.5") in diameter)
• Landfill disposal
• Burning (note: some municipalities require for you to have a burn permit, or have put an outright
ban on burning all “green wastes” that could be otherwise composted)
• Wood-chipping for branches and trees: wood chips can then be used for landscaping purposes
• Redistribution back onto the golf course, particularly in the rough and other out-of-the- way areas.
Composting can be carried out either on the golf course, or at an off-site facility. Some
municipalities have developed their own composting facilities. You should check into the
availability of these with your particular municipal representatives. In some cases, municipalities
may require you to separate yard wastes from other wastes in order to facilitate composting at
their facilities.
The development of a composting facility on your golf course has advantages and disadvantages.

5. The main advantage is that compost is an excellent soil amendment, and can therefore be used
in landscaping and course renovations and repairs. The main disadvantage is that composting
facilities take up space. Other concerns about composting facilities, such as odors, rodents and
insects, can be minimized through proper operation of the facility.
Did You Know . . .
Adding sediment accumulation from your equipment wash station to your compost pile could
contaminate your entire compost collection. Refer to Section 4.6 for further information.
Should you decide to consider the development of a composting facility on your course, the
following guidelines should be taken into consideration in siting, sizing, constructing and operating
the facility.
• Facilities should be located in an area which has good exposure to the sun to enhance the
microbiological activity required to generate compost.
• Facilities should be located in an area which has minimal exposure to the wind to minimize
problems associated with blowing debris.
• Facilities should be located at least 30 m away from property lines, the clubhouse, maintenance
shop and course facilities. If possible, facilities should also be located downwind of the
clubhouse and the maintenance shop to minimize the impact of odors should they develop.
• Facilities should be located in close proximity to a water supply, as compost facilities should be
watered on a weekly basis to enhance microbiological activity.
• Facilities should be located on a level area, graded so that surface runoff from outside area is
diverted around the facility. This minimizes the potential for leachate generation.
• The base of a composting facility should be constructed from compacted clay or clay till to
minimize the potential for leachate migration into the subsurface.
• Two main types of composting facilities are used: windrows and vessel-type composters.
Vessel-type composters are very expensive (at least $300,000) and are used only for very large
applications (e.g., large municipalities). They need not be considered for golf courses, as
windrow composters are more than adequate.
• Windrow composting involves constructing piles of organic material, and turning the material on a
monthly basis throughout the spring, summer and fall months (or during course operations for
courses which may be open in a portion of the winter).
• Windrow piles should not be wider than 3.0 m (10 feet) or higher than 2.4 m (8 feet).
The type of equipment which you have available may further restrict the dimensions of the pile.
The length of the pile is normally restricted by the available space, but should not exceed 15.0 m
(50 feet).

6. • Equipment which can be used for turning compost piles includes Bobcats, backhoes, front end
loaders or tractors equipped with buckets. Specialized compost turning equipment has been
developed, but is too expensive for a single golf course to purchase. If such equipment is
available in the area, it can be contracted for turning operations.
• It will normally take 2 years for composting to be completed. This may be faster in warm areas,
or slower in cold ones. In any event, in sizing a compost facility, you should allow for at least 3
piles: one for actively disposing material, one for composting and one for removing finished
compost. If your annual waste volumes exceed the capacity of a pile having the dimensions
identified above, then additional piles will be required.
Further information on composting systems can be obtained from the provincial ministries
of the environment. Contacts are listed in Table 4.32.
B. DOMESTIC REFUSE
As previously mentioned, some municipalities may require that you set up facilities for the
recycling of specific waste products. If so, or if you wish to attempt to reduce the amount of waste
being sent to a landfill, a recycling program can easily be implemented. Issues to be considered
in developing a recycling program are as follows:
• Recycle only what is collected by the municipality or a contractor, or what can be reasonably
taken to a depot. You don't want to spend a large amount of time transporting small
quantities of recycled materials around.
• Be careful with plastics. In recent years the market for recycled plastics has been highly
volatile, and it is often difficult to find depots for waste plastics.
• Set up containers on the course and throughout the clubhouse and maintenance shop for
returnable beverage containers. This is easy to do and can generate a significant amount of
revenue. You will have to purchase the containers, however. Contact your provincial environment
ministry, your municipal solid waste representative or your provincial Environmental Services
Association for places to purchase these.
• Set up a paper-recycling program in the office and maintenance shop areas. This is easy to do,
and will generally generate a small (probably very small) amount of revenue. Recycling
contractors will supply you with the containers, normally at no cost.
• Contact your provincial Environmental Services Association for a list of recycling contractors
in your area.
• Ensure that pallets are not disposed of with materials to be landfilled. There is a good market
available for reuse of waste pallets. Check in the Yellow Pages of your Telephone Directory
under Pallet Manufacturing.
C. SCRAP METAL
Markets for scrap metal are currently very strong. Scrap metal dealers will normally provide you
with a bin for storage of waste metal products, and will pick them up, usually at no cost. In some
cases, the dealers may be willing to pay you for the waste materials. As such, it is worthwhile
contacting scrap metals dealers in your area to investigate.

7. D. BATTERIES
Disposal of vehicle batteries in landfills is not normally permitted. Battery recyclers are generally
available in each of the provinces and should be contacted. Names and addresses can be
obtained from your provincial Environmental Services Association.
Refer to Table 4.11 for addresses, phone numbers and fax numbers for these associations. In
many cases the supplier of the batteries will take care of the disposal. This should be reviewed
with prospective suppliers.
Disposal of dry cell batteries (e.g., flashlight batteries) in a landfill does not normally contravene
provincial legislation, as long as volumes are small (generally, less than 5 kg is acceptable).
However, from an environmental perspective, it is a good idea to keep these batteries out of
landfills, as they contain heavy metals (e.g., nickel and cadmium), which can leach into the
subsurface. Instead, discuss the potential for recycling these with battery recyclers. Alternately,
dry cell batteries can be stored and disposed of in hazardous waste roundups which are carried
out periodically by municipalities.
E. CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS
Construction and demolition debris consists of wood, concrete, metals, electrical cable, wallboard
and other building materials. The disposal of this material is normally looked after by the building or
demolition contractor.
When you are involved in demolition of old buildings, you must ensure that hazardous materials
are removed and properly disposed of prior to the demolition of the main structure and
foundations. Specific hazardous materials that should be considered include:
Asbestos
Asbestos was used for the insulation of pipes and equipment (e.g., boilers) prior to
1960. Asbestos fibres are extremely hazardous from a health perspective, and therefore asbestos
insulation must be removed by licensed contractors. In addition, the material must be double-
bagged in polyethylene bags prior to being disposed of in a landfill. If you suspect that asbestos
insulation may be present, you should contact an environmental consultant or an asbestos removal
contractor to have it checked.
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs are toxic chemicals which were used in transformers and lighting ballasts prior to
1975. If you have transformers or old fluorescent lighting fixtures, you should determine whether
they contain PCBs. This can be determined by an environmental consultant. Alternately, you can
record the serial number of the transformer or lighting ballast and contact the manufacturer
directly.
Disposal options for PCBs are very limited. Options are normally limited to incineration at licensed
facilities. Contact your provincial Environmental Services Association for a listing of companies
who can look after PCB disposal for you.

8. Table 4.32
Golf Course Solid Waste Management Regulatory Contacts

9. 4.7.4 Colleague Example