Systems library

Delaware County Solid Waste Management Center

A circular system archetype diagram centered on an integrated solid waste management context. This is the “hub” style: consolidate streams, reduce contamination, and route organics into energy + soil value pathways.

Back to Systems library Propose a pilot site Policy & funding

Archetype Integrated SW hub Organics routing

How this site was selected: Mapping layers pair feedstocks with infrastructure, the matrix approach (industrial/hauling, feedstock variation, pyrolysis, space/expansion) distills the strongest candidates, and the 25-50 mile coverage logic keeps proposals balanced. Read the methodology.

System diagram

Tip: open this in a new tab to zoom, then use it in meetings as a shared reference.

Center-of-gravity idea: If a region can reliably separate organics at the hub, everything downstream gets easier: cleaner digestion/composting, better soil products, and fewer headaches in permitting and public acceptance.

Implementation notes

The diagram is the “what.” These prompts are the “how.” Use them for convening calls with municipal staff, haulers, operators, and advocacy partners.

Questions to answer

What separation infrastructure exists now (tipping floor, MRF, organics drop-off, transfer capacity)-
What contamination threshold is needed for the intended downstream solution (AD, compost, hybrid, biochar blend)-
What are the realistic offtake markets for energy + soil products within hauling distance-
Which stakeholder can be “the operator of record” (county, authority, private operator, developer partner)-

Best next step

Submit a candidate hub site via Propose a pilot site. Include: municipality/authority contact, current waste flow context, and any known partners (haulers, composters, WWTP, farms).

Propose this archetype Resources hub

For deeper context, download the core HVB reports in the Resources hub.

Site imagery

Reference photos from the Circular Biogas Systems proposal appendix for this location.

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Biosolids flow snapshot

This 2015 snapshot shows Delaware County's biosolids moving through landfill, land application, and hauling links. Use it to frame constraints before you size anything.

HVB does not support co-digestion of sewage sludge with food waste; treat this as routing context and a guardrails trigger.

Read Delaware biosolids brief Open image

Evidence & policy context

Data & maps hub — ground each archetype in the baseline data, flows, and county briefs before pitching it.
Policy & funding hub — choose the right story (CLCPA, diversion, EJ) for this system.
CLCPA brief — tie the archetype into the state’s climate accountability framework.
Food waste law brief — highlight the diversion/compliance rationale when organics are on the route.