Transcript Document
Hub and Spoke Recycling Systems in North Carolina NC SWANA Fall Conference Rob Taylor NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service Overview • • • • • • Background Role of the MRF Hub and Spoke – What and Why? Expanding Access, Increasing Efficiency Hub and Spoke Models Closing Thoughts Background • Collection and transportation are the most expensive aspect of recycling • Commingling recyclable materials substantially reduces collection cost • Commingling advantages: – Increased Participation – Increased Recovery – Enables use of Compaction Commingling Saves Money Role of the MRF • Commingled collection is made possible by Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) • Materials are sent to MRFs for processing • Not every community has easy access to a MRF MRFs in North Carolina • Modern MRFs need a critical mass of local tons that rural areas typically can’t provide (~25,000 TPY) Equal Access to MRFs? ‘Fraid Not • Large sections of NC don’t have great access to processing • Q: What’s a reasonable distance to drive a route truck to a MRF? • A: 45 miles? 60 miles? It really depends. Hub and Spoke System • A transfer system for commingled recyclables where materials are consolidated and then hauled to a MRF – Consolidation allows for more efficient transportation – Revenue from sale of materials may partially offset hauling costs Why Hub and Spoke? • Let’s look more closely… Just a Bit Too Far for a Route Truck Raleigh 53 miles Wilson 38 miles 31 miles Goldsboro Greenville Why Hub and Spoke Matters: • Expands access to materials processing and delivers the benefits of single-stream to areas w/o nearby MRF • Allows small and remote communities to implement new recycling programs, increase recovery, and reduce operational costs • Allows those communities to become part of the market and enjoy benefits of competition Hub and Spoke Can Introduce Options Transfer of Recyclables = good candidates for transfer = transferring county = accessible single stream MRF Known Hub and Spoke Efforts in NC = Private effort = Public Effort Hub and Spoke: More than One Way… • Use existing waste transfer station • Create a separate system for recyclables – – – – Recycling “transfer station” using transfer trailers Consolidate using roll-offs (uncompacted) Consolidate using compacting roll-offs Bale and haul in van trailers • Pros and cons of each option, with many variations • Take a quick look at examples in NC Through Waste Transfer Station • • • • If single bay, potential challenges coordinating with waste transfer Could create storage area for holding materials while managing MSW If two bay, could allocate a bay to recycling (e.g. Rutherford County) Talk to DWM, update Operational Plan Wilson County, NC – dedicated recycling transfer system • Requires substantial capital investment • Avoids conflict with waste operations • No state permit required* Orange County, NC - Dedicated Recycling Transfer System Using Transfer Trailers Consolidate Using Roll-offs (un-compacted) • • • • Trucks dump directly into roll-offs Potential challenges with overflow Lower payloads, thus less efficient transportation Cheapest option for small volumes and access to roll-off truck Same site as previous slide seen from below Using Compacting Roll-offs with Hopper to Receive Materials • Need large capacity hopper to avoid slow dumping process • Can be challenge with compactor cycle times • Can haul with “Pup Trailer” to increase efficiency Bale and Ship • Need strong baler and MRF willing to accept baled materials • Material value likely to be downgraded • Loading dock is desirable Other Thoughts • Use consolidation point as an opportunity to QC materials and remove obvious contaminants • Try to keep materials dry (more value to system) • Partner with other programs to maximize efficiencies and share benefits Thank You! • Rob Taylor, NC DENR • Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service • 919-707-8139 • [email protected] • http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/deao/recycling/localgov