Transcript Why Single Stream Curbside Recycling? Lynn France 11/6/2015 Recycling Pre-AB 939 Recycling was separated commodities Delivered to recyclers and end users End users could control volume.

Why Single Stream
Curbside Recycling?
Lynn France
11/6/2015
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Recycling Pre-AB 939
Recycling was separated commodities
Delivered to recyclers and end users
End users could control volume of materials
recycled through pricing and quality standards
Low price – reduced volumes
High price – increase volumes
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In 1989 Things Changed
AB 939 was passed which changed the
complexion of recycling in California
DIVERSION IS KING!
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AB 939 Impacts
Curbside recycling programs were
implemented
Volume of material was no longer
controlled by pricing – it just kept flowing!
$ value of the materials dropped - and it
still kept flowing!
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AB 939 Impacts (continued)
Low values and negative values reduced
concern for quality of materials delivered to
end users
Diminished revenues increased cost of
curbside recycling programs
Solid waste industry looked for ways to
redesign/retool for greater efficiencies in
collection and processing
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Question?
Which is the most efficient way to accomplish
curbside recycling and obtain maximum
diversion?
Source-separated at the curb
OR
Single-streamed and MRF sorted
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How Single-stream Impacted
Chula Vista’s Curbside Recycling
Program
glass/plastic bottles
tin/aluminum cans
newspapers
mixed paper
cardboard
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Placed in 18
gallon recycling
box
Tied with string or
bagged in paper bags
and placed next to or
under the recycling
box.
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Chula Vista’s Curbside (continued)
2001- Approx. 40,000 households generating
8.5 lbs/household/week - recycling
40.3 lbs/household/week – trash
14.9 lbs/household/week - yard waste
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Single-Stream Recycling
2002 - Converted to a variable rate,
automated collection system.
Restricted trash service to one cart 32 gallon = $11.00
64 gallon = $14.25
96 gallon = $16.75
Additional cart = $5.00
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Single-Stream Recycling
(continued)
Unlimited recycling (single-stream) in
automated carts
32 gallons, 64 gallons or 96 gallons
Additional carts free of charge
The same commodities as in the
source separated program.
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Single-Stream Recycling
(continued)
Yard waste – still collected semiautomated in the resident’s own standard
trash can
Or the resident could rent a green waste
cart for $1.00
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Benefits
Perceived increase in recycling capacity
three to five times more container space
than the 18 gallon box
Easier to use - Residents like not having to
separate and bag or tie papers and
cardboard
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Benefits (continued)
Less litter on the streets on service days
From this . . .
To this!
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Benefits (continued)
Rate structure provided the incentive to
divert materials that previously had
been going into the trash
Increased diversion and still growing
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Benefits (continued)
100% Increase in recycling volume
2000
8.61 lbs per household per week
2001
8.53 lbs per household per week
2002*
13.79 lbs per household per week
2003
16.39 lbs per household per week
2004
17.27 lbs per household per week
* Single-stream implemented during April and May of 2002
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Benefits (continued)
Average Pounds Per Household
Year
Recycling
Yard Waste
Trash
2000
8.61
14.89
40.66
2001
8.53
14.90
40.34
2002*
13.79
15.03
36.78
2003
16.39
16.38
38.02
2004
17.27
16.15
40.46
* Single stream implemented April and May
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Benefits (continued)
Contamination Impacts –
Old program
2% trash/non-recyclables
Single-stream
7% trash/non-recyclables
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How can a
city ignore
a 100%
increase
in
diversion?
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Re-tooling
processing
operations to
meet the
operational
requirements
of singlestream
recycling.
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EDCO Disposal
619 287-5242
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Added more screens to sort
more out “fines” …
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Summary
Increased capacity over curbside box programs
Ease of use for sorting and storage of materials – trash or
recyclable
Increased diversion – can expect anywhere from 50100% increase in recyclable volume
Converting requires major public education campaign which
revitalizes recycling participation and awareness
Requires retooling of collection and processing operations to
maximize efficiencies and minimize contamination of
commodities
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