HomeMy WebLinkAboutOB 2 CURBSIDE RECYCL 08-20-90Opp P-
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DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
August 15, 1990
William Huston, City Manager
Public Works - Administration
CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAM UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
OLD BUSINESS NO. 2
8-20-90
Inter - Com
It is recommended that the Tustin City Council, at their meeting of
August 20, 1990, direct staff to further pursue the 2 can automated
curbside recycling program.
BACKGROUND:
The development and implementation of a recycling program within
the City is one of the elements set forth in Assembly Bill 939 -
the Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989.
Two main types of recycling programs for single family through
fourplex residences utilizing can services are offered by Great
Western Reclamation.
1. 2 Bin Program
o One 14 gallon bin for newspapers
o One 18 gallon bin for commingled bottles and cans
o Weekly collection
2. 2 Can Program - Automated
o One 32 gallon can for all recyclables - weekly collection
OR
o One 65 gallon cart for all recyclables - biweekly collection
Attached is a copy of Great Western Reclamation's response to
staff's letter sent May 29, 1990.
DISCUSSION:
After reviewing both programs and analyzing the goals of AB 939
staff recommends pursuing the 2 cart automated recycling program.
There are several advantages of the automated program over the 2
bin program.
1. The automated program is more convenient for the customer.
2. Scavenging is less likely to occur.
3. The 2 bin program is limited to only a few recyclable
materials whereas the automated is basically limitless in the
types of materials that can be collected.
arec►'cled peaer
All three of these points are crucial in the City's ability to meet
the goals of 25% and 50% reduction of solid waste going to the
landfills.
With direction from Council
information and negotiating
regarding the 2 can automated
update will be presented to the
staff will continue collecting
with Great Western Reclamation
curbside recycling program. An
City Council on September 4, 1990.
Staff needs additional time to analyze the cost of operating a
program, rates, sharing of revenue with the Operator, etc. Staff
will return to City Council with rate comparisons and more specific
information on how a program would operate, implementation dates,
etc.
Bob Ledendecker
Director of Public Works
Je nif R ue
inis ra ive Assistant
Great Western Reclamation, Inc.
P.O. Box 2337
"'I S. Grand Avenue
Ana, California 92705
1 j58-7761
July 12, 1990
Mr. Bob Ledendecker
Director of Public Works/City Engineer
300 Centennial Way
Tustin, CA 92680
Dear Bob:
/Q A Waste Management Company
N�Am�r
D T T R 0 W � p
M n
JUL 1 6 1990
TUSTIN PUBLIC WORKS DEPT.
Recycling options can involve complex multi -material collection programs operated in
conjunction with conventional waste collection, but with separate equipment. Each
community, each geographic area, and each client --public and private --has a different
need and perspective.
The following is a list of the basic recycling program options available:
Curbside collection of one to five materials operated with separate
equipment from conventional packer trucks. These may operate in
single-family subdivisions or entire communities, or in multi -family
residential areas.
Collection of one or more materials at commercial accounts, the
most common being the collection of old corrugated boxes. Office
papers, beverage containers, wood pallets, etc., may also be
collected.
Recovery of materials at landfills and/or transfer stations, usually by
some simple means such as dump -and -sort or salvage.
Operation of or use of a buy-back center for one or more materials.
Typically these centers buy aluminum cans and old newspapers.
Operation of or use of materials drop-off centers. Typically these
are multi -materials operations, and many are operated by traditional
scrap dealers or by not-for-profit groups.
Paper drives in which a waste hauler or a waste paper dealer
furnishes containers at a school, church, shopping center, or other
collection point on a one-time, continuous, or scheduled basis.
System Design
Most successful residential curbside recycling programs, while differing greatly from city
to city, share some important features. These include in-home containers,
compartmentalized trucks, weekly and bi-monthly collection and a single driver/collector.
For this project, Great Western Reclamation is relying on experience gained through the
operation of numerous home collection programs throughout the country. By blending
the proven elements of other operations with the unique requirements of the City of
Tustin, Great Western Reclamation has developed three (3) program options for your
review, each of which we believe, would prove to be effective, reliable, and efficient
recycling systems.
Each of these options are the same in terms of materials accepted and frequency of
collection with the major difference being the type of container which will be provided
to the residents for their use.
Residential
Great Western Reclamation proposes the weekly curbside collection of newspaper,
glass bottles and jars, tin and aluminum cans and PET and HDPE plastic beverage
containers from all eligible single family through fourplex residences within the City of
Tustin. Each home will be provided recycling containers for their use. The following
container types will be provided under each option:
Option I: One 14 gallon bin for newspaper and one 18 gallon bin for commingled
bottles and cans with weekly collection.
Positive: a) This system seems to focus and remind people of the
benefits of recycling, both monetarily and ecologically.
b) Produces a cleaner and more saleable product.
c) Implementation of the program is easy.
d) Lowest cost per Household.
Negative: a) Requires more attention from Household which could
reduce participation.
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Option II: One 32 gallon can with lid for commingled bottles and cans with
newspaper being placed separately in the can just prior to residents set
out, on weekly collection day.
Option III: One 65 gallon automated cart with lid for commingled bottles and cans
with newspaper being placed separately in the can just prior to resident
set out bi-monthly on collection day.
Positive: Easier for Household.
Better participation.
Larger container has a longer life expectancy and better
meets our long term plan outlined below.
Negative: Still requires some attention for Household.
These containers will be delivered by Great Western Reclamation crews. They will be
distributed one week prior to the start of the collection service for that route. Each
set of containers would include a "How -To" brochure explaining to residents how to
participate in the program.
The collection vehicle will be a dual -drive, hydraulically self -dumping, compartmentalized
front loader with approximately 50 cubic yards of capacity. The large capacity will
accommodate the addition of plastics into the program while providing the necessary
increased efficiency to reduce the number of routes normally required.
This truck's specially designed front bucket with a low load height of about 36 inches
is manually or semi -automatically filled, depending on which option is selected, by the
single driver/collector. The bucket has three compartments, the center is for
newspaper and the two outside sections are both for co -mingled glass, metal and
plastic containers. The partitions of the bucket line up with the division in the body of
the truck so that material separation is maintained when the bucket is mechanically
dumped. The body is divided lengthwise, (front to back.) The center portion has a
capacity of around 30 cubic yards and the two outer sections have a combined total
of about 20 cubic yards.
It is anticipated that the truck capacity will be sufficient to collect the volume of each
days' route material in a single load, therefore, maximizing the time available for actual
on -route collections.
When the route is completed, the truck will return to our yard for unloading of materials
into roll -off boxes for transport to market.
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Estimated Costs and Revenue
System Description
Cost per Household
1 - 2 Bin Source Separated $2.10
2 - a) 1 Container Commingled System (32 gal.) 2.30
b) 1 Container Commingled System (65 gal.) 2.95
(semi -automated)
These programs are based on recoverable revenues to stay with the Hauler
Preliminary Program Implementation Schedule
Due to the increase in the start up of curbside programs, the best estimates for the
delivery of equipment and corrtainers is approximately six months.
The development and implementation of a strong community education and promotional
campaign is crucial to the long-term success of any integrated waste management
system.
A successful public information campaign must communicate to the public that waste
reduction is necessary, contributes to the environment, and that it can be a part of
every resident's daily routine. All promotional materials will provide valuable information
on items that can and should be recycled and will provide all residents with instructions
on the simplest methods of doing so.
Educating community residents on the importance of recycling and creating initial
participation in the curbside program is only part of the battle. Keeping residents
interested in continuing to make recycling a part of their lives requires the use of
ongoing methods of promoting recycling activities. Whether it is involving local
community groups, organizing in neighborhoods or developing creative mass mail or
media plans to support these programs, Great Western Reclamation is prepared to
invest the time and resources necessary to make recycling a household word in the
City of Tustin.
Great Western Reclamation has developed and implemented over 125 successful
curbside recycling programs throughout the country. A cornerstone of that success is
an aggressive public awareness campaign. The following ideas and projects are
examples of events and activities that could be developed for Tustin. Great Western
Reclamation would be interested in working with the City to define those activities that
can be implemented within the scope of any proposed public awareness budget.
Following is a list of optional activities to be considered which are designed to coincide
with the various phases of a curbside program:
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Start-up Phase
1. Develop technical information sheet, i.e. "How To" brochure
2. Develop billing inserts for program calendar
3. Develop approval process and deadlines
4. School slogan contest
5. Planning Bin Distribution Day events, including contracting local
organizations
6. Develop Bin Distribution Day press plan
7. Establish recycling hotline number for residents
8. Develop community briefing package
9. Prepare an editorial piece and distribute other media items, including
public service announcements and free advertisements with the local
newspapers
Implementation Phase
1. Bin Distribution Day and associated activities of school outreach,
establishment of speaker bureau, recycling hotline begins service,
mailers distributed
2. Media plan underway
Operations Phase
1. Recycle America distributes periodic status reports to the City and
interested groups
2. Mini course packets distributed to K-1 through 12 schools
3. Schedule demonstration days at schools
4. Design, produce and distribute "Let's Recycle" coloring books to day
care centers
5. Distribute inserts for disbursement with monthly billing statements
6. Continue contact with local groups and organizations for columns
and news items
7. Continue media outreach and program activities
8. Continue soliciting for op-ed pieces, feature articles and letters to
the editor
9. Continue soliciting of free advertising in local newspapers
10. Meet with existing local recyclers to obtain co-sponsorship of
promotional activities
During the implementation of the proposed residential recycling program for the City
of Tustin, certain specified items listed above could be undertaken. If the City staff
wishes to include more activities during the initiation of the program, one time public
funding should be considered.
5
Multi -Family Recycling Collection
Great Western Reclamation can offer an efficient method for the collection of recyclables
from the multi -family residences in Tustin. This method would entail utilizing the same
vehicle that is used for the collection of single-family residences. This specially
designed front -loader recycling vehicle has the ability to dump compartmentalized 3-
4 cubic yard containers that would be placed at the multi -family complexes. The 3-4
cubic yard containers would have two internal metal inserts that would divide the bins
into thirds with the middle section for newspaper and both outside sections for
commingled cans and bottles.
The specially designed front loader would be able to collect from both single family
residences and multi -family residences without having to make any alterations or
modifications of the truck basic design.
Residents in the multi -family complexes would receive a heavy-duty plastic bag to use
for the transportation of their recyclables from their units to the strategically placed
recycling containers located at convenient locations throughout the complex. This
would of course require the close coordination with the complex manager for the
appropriate placement of the recycling containers. The provision of some type of
container for the resident's use is an essential tool for getting the participation of the
residents of multi -family complexes. Since this container would not be quite as bulky
as the regular curbside containers, they should be able to be effectively utilized by
residents in multi -family units.
Great Western Reclamation would propose that initial efforts be concentrated on the
development of a strong, single family residential base for the recycling program. Once
the single-family household program is up and running and successful, we would
propose that at that time Great Western Reclamation and the City negotiate the
expansion of the program to multi -family housing.
Great Western Reclamation believes that the cost for providing the service for multi-
family units would approximate the cost for the provision of service to single-family
dwellings. Great Western Management would suggest working together to develop a
proposal for multi -family recycling within an appropriate period of time once the single
family program is up and running.
Commercial Recycling
As businesses vary, so do the types of recycling programs which are appropriate for
the diversion of the commercial waste stream. By looking at the composition of the
waste generated at a particular business a determination can be made as to what kind
of recoverable material(s) exist in sufficient quantity to warrant targeting for diversion.
For example: waste at an office complex would have a high percentage of waste paper
grades such as computer or ledger paper; retail establishments would typically have a
lot of corrugated cardboard; at bars and restaurants you would normally find glass and
cardboard at relatively high levels. Once a material is identified, a method for
separation collection and marketing can be established on a case by case basis.
Great Western Reclamation currently provides commercial cardboard recycling services
to a number of customers throughout our service area. We would propose that the
expansion of commercial recycling be done in concert with the city's source reduction
and recycling element of the Integrated Waste Management Plan as required under
AB939. As mentioned in your letter, a six month waste characterization study will need
to be conducted as part of this plan. Great Western Reclamation stands ready to
cooperate with the City to provide assistance where appropriate in the collection of data
as required under the law.
Once the characterization study is complete, Great Western Reclamation and the City
can mutually develop a city wide commercial recycling program that will be an integral
part of meeting the diversion goals set forth under AB939.
Lona Term Plan
Great Western Reclamation has proposed various recyclable commingled options as
stated above. The ultimate goal however, in the future, is to provide systems that will
comply with guidelines established by AB939 for the diversion levels set in 1995 and
the year 2000. The 65 gallon automated cart proposed in Option III takes a step in that
direction due to its long life and application in a totally commingled system of refuse,
recyclables and yard waste deposited in the same container. The cornerstone of this
future, long term plan centers around our development of a Materials Recovery Facility
(MRF) which will provide full capability to comply with state mandated diversion levels.
This is the same Long Term Plan we are proposing to the Orange County Integrated
Waste Management Department.
Recommendations
A curbside system as outlined in Option III which would be expanded to Multi -Family
and Commercial Recycling, which will be necessary to meet the first goals of AB939
(25% reduction by 1995).
Sincerely, .
David W. ss
Regional Operations Vice President
DWR:bm
LVC46
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