Let’s Talk TrashLet’s Talk Trash

Reducing Solid Waste and Reducing Solid Waste and Increasing RecyclingIncreasing Recycling

LVW Public ForumLVW Public Forum

November 20, 2008November 20, 2008

Presented by Brooke Nash, MassDEPPresented by Brooke Nash, MassDEP

OverviewOverview

National trendsNational trends

Regional and Mass trendsRegional and Mass trends

Programs in actionPrograms in action

Crossroads for NewtonCrossroads for Newton

Market place is very competitiveMarket place is very competitive

Disposal costs steady, maybe fallingDisposal costs steady, maybe falling

Collection and processing technology Collection and processing technology “revolution”“revolution”

Public concern for environmentPublic concern for environment

Tremendous opportunitiesTremendous opportunities

TerminologyTerminology

Material Recovery Facility (MRF)Material Recovery Facility (MRF)

Dual stream recyclingDual stream recycling

Single stream recyclingSingle stream recycling

Fully and semi-automated collection Fully and semi-automated collection (carts)(carts)

Single Stream RecyclingSingle Stream Recycling

The storage of all recyclables (bottles and cans and all paper) mixed together in a single container

Collection and transport of the mixed recyclables in a single compartment on the truck

Separation of the mixed recyclables mechanically and with labor at a processing facility

Dual Stream RecyclingDual Stream Recycling

The storage of residential recyclables in two separate containers

Plastic, glass and aluminum cans and bottles

Paper: Cardboard, newspaper, mixed paper, boxboard

Collection and transport of recyclables in two separate compartments on the truck

Tipping of each compartment separately at the MRF with two lines that mechanically and manually separate the materials at the processing facility

National TrendsNational Trends

West coast leading East Coast (reversal West coast leading East Coast (reversal from 20 years ago)from 20 years ago) Single streamSingle stream Automated collectionAutomated collection Organics collection, 3 cart systemOrganics collection, 3 cart system

Zero WasteZero Waste

Extended Producer ResponsibilityExtended Producer Responsibility

In the Northeast…In the Northeast…

First curbside recycling programs in the U.S.First curbside recycling programs in the U.S.

Mass is leader in Pay-As-You-ThrowMass is leader in Pay-As-You-Throw

First single stream MRF in 2007First single stream MRF in 2007

Today, 4 of 6 Mass MRFs are single streamToday, 4 of 6 Mass MRFs are single stream

Boston pilot – May 2007Boston pilot – May 2007

25 SSR curbside programs today; many more in 25 SSR curbside programs today; many more in planning phasesplanning phases

Automated collection is hereAutomated collection is here

Mass. Programs in ActionMass. Programs in Action

Setting and Enforcing Trash LimitsSetting and Enforcing Trash Limits

Mandatory RecyclingMandatory Recycling

Single Stream RecyclingSingle Stream Recycling

Automated Collection of Trash &/or Automated Collection of Trash &/or RecyclablesRecyclables

Pay-As-You-ThrowPay-As-You-Throw

Mass Recycles PaperMass Recycles Paper campaign campaign

Setting and Enforcing Trash LimitsSetting and Enforcing Trash Limits

Many towns set trash limits (3-6 containers), but few Many towns set trash limits (3-6 containers), but few enforce.enforce.

Mansfield reduced trash limit from 6 containers to 3 Mansfield reduced trash limit from 6 containers to 3 containers (max 33-gallons) and enforced itcontainers (max 33-gallons) and enforced it

Public education campaign: video and mailingPublic education campaign: video and mailing

Hauler left excess trash at curb with violation stickerHauler left excess trash at curb with violation sticker

Substantial program oversight requiredSubstantial program oversight required

In 1In 1stst year of program: year of program: Trash reduced 8% (731 tons)Trash reduced 8% (731 tons) Recycling increased 4% (90 tons)Recycling increased 4% (90 tons)

Mandatory RecyclingMandatory Recycling

160 municipalities with mandatory recycling 160 municipalities with mandatory recycling ordinancesordinances

Approx 40 actively enforcingApprox 40 actively enforcing

Success in Chelmsford, Andover, North Andover, Success in Chelmsford, Andover, North Andover, Billerica, SaugusBillerica, Saugus

10% reduction in trash tonnage10% reduction in trash tonnage

Emphasis on cardboard or “visible recyclables”Emphasis on cardboard or “visible recyclables”

Requires strong hauler partnership, significant Requires strong hauler partnership, significant outreach, ongoing enforcementoutreach, ongoing enforcement

Single Stream RecyclingSingle Stream Recycling

4 of 6 Mass MRFs are now SSR4 of 6 Mass MRFs are now SSR

25 curbside communities have SSR25 curbside communities have SSR Ashland, Framingham, Natick, North Attleborough, Norwood Ashland, Framingham, Natick, North Attleborough, Norwood

Worcester, Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth and pilot in BostonWorcester, Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth and pilot in Boston

Large containers are key to successLarge containers are key to success

Automated recycling collectionAutomated recycling collection

““Modified” single stream (curbside bins or Modified” single stream (curbside bins or sticker)sticker)

Single Stream ResultsSingle Stream Results

Boston: recycling tonnage up >50%; trash Boston: recycling tonnage up >50%; trash down 20%down 20%

Springfield pilot: recycling up 90%; trash Springfield pilot: recycling up 90%; trash down 20%down 20%

Southbridge: recycling up 125%Southbridge: recycling up 125%

Madison, WI: recycling up 30%Madison, WI: recycling up 30%

Single StreamSingle Stream

Advantages:Advantages:Significant increase in recycling tonnageSignificant increase in recycling tonnage

Greater number participating householdsGreater number participating households Greater amount of recyclables per participating household Greater amount of recyclables per participating household

(capture rate)(capture rate)

Savings in avoided disposal costsSavings in avoided disposal costsIncreases collection efficiency (truck capacity, labor, Increases collection efficiency (truck capacity, labor, worker injuries)worker injuries)With large cart – may switch to bi-weekly collectionWith large cart – may switch to bi-weekly collection

Disadvantages:Disadvantages:Less revenue than dual stream recyclingLess revenue than dual stream recyclingCapital costs of carts, trucks Capital costs of carts, trucks

Automated CollectionAutomated Collection

Trash or recyclablesTrash or recyclablesFully or semi-automatedFully or semi-automatedCarts and mechanical lift armCarts and mechanical lift armTrashTrash: capacity of container sets trash limit: capacity of container sets trash limitRecyclingRecycling: offers greater capacity than set-out b: offers greater capacity than set-out b

Holden, Mansfield, Easton, North Attleborough, Norwood, Billerica, Holden, Mansfield, Easton, North Attleborough, Norwood, Billerica, Burlington, Tewksbury, TyngsboroughBurlington, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough

11stst year results: year results: Holden (automated T & R): trash down 30%, recycling up 73% Holden (automated T & R): trash down 30%, recycling up 73% Mansfield (automated T only): trash down >20 %, recycling up 13 %Mansfield (automated T only): trash down >20 %, recycling up 13 %

Mansfield started automated SSR in July 08 Mansfield started automated SSR in July 08

Recycle BankRecycle Bank

Recycling incentive programRecycling incentive program

Single stream recycling with cartSingle stream recycling with cart

RFID tag tracks tonnage per householdRFID tag tracks tonnage per household

Points converted to coupons – local Points converted to coupons – local businesses, national chainsbusinesses, national chains

Everett (+300%), Revere, Southbridge Everett (+300%), Revere, Southbridge (+125%)(+125%)

Promotional materialsPromotional materials

Pay As You Throw (PAYT):Pay As You Throw (PAYT):

Single most effective program for reducing Single most effective program for reducing waste and increasing recyclingwaste and increasing recyclingLike a utility: users pay for amount of waste Like a utility: users pay for amount of waste disposed; unlimited recyclingdisposed; unlimited recycling trash tonnage (20-40%)trash tonnage (20-40%)124 communities in Mass (47curbside)124 communities in Mass (47curbside)Trash tonnage decreases 20-40%Trash tonnage decreases 20-40%Recycling tonnage increases 10-15%Recycling tonnage increases 10-15%Average recycling rate in PAYT communities Average recycling rate in PAYT communities 10% points higher 10% points higher

PAYTPAYT

Various models: Various models: Bags, stickers, first unit Bags, stickers, first unit “free”“free”

Fixed costs = tax base or annual flat feeFixed costs = tax base or annual flat feeVariable costs = bag or sticker feeVariable costs = bag or sticker feeVery compatible with single stream (8 Very compatible with single stream (8 Mass programs with both)Mass programs with both)““Modified” PAYT Modified” PAYT (e.g.Lowell, Burlington, (e.g.Lowell, Burlington, Billerica, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Holden, Billerica, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Holden, Mansfield)Mansfield)

Recycling and PAYT ResearchRecycling and PAYT Research

2005 opinion research survey on recycling2005 opinion research survey on recycling

Self reported recycling behaviorsSelf reported recycling behaviors

60% of PAYT residents “always” recycle 60% of PAYT residents “always” recycle across all categories (39% of non-PAYT across all categories (39% of non-PAYT residents)residents)

75% of non-recyclers: would recycle more 75% of non-recyclers: would recycle more if trash cost $, recycling free (59% if trash cost $, recycling free (59% statewide).statewide).

PAYT WorksPAYT Works

  Pre-PAYT tonnage Post-PAYT tonnage % Change

Town Trash Recycling Trash Recycling Trash Recycling

             

Attleboro 17162 2974 11287 3910 -34% 31%

*Dartmouth 10690 1587 5121 2445 -52% 54%

Longmeadow 5008 2052 3788 2362 -24% 15%

Marshfield 9471 2704 6711 3544 -29% 31%

**Shrewsbury 1836 470 1117 633 -39% 35%

* Extrapolated from 7 months of data  

** First 2 months of the program        

PAYT and Single StreamPAYT and Single Stream

North AttleboroughNorth Attleborough10 year old PAYT program10 year old PAYT programFlat fee plus bag feeFlat fee plus bag feeJuly - SSR with 96 gallon carts (5 yr. July - SSR with 96 gallon carts (5 yr. contract with Waste Management)contract with Waste Management)Bi-weekly ( curbside recyclingBi-weekly ( curbside recyclingRecycling tonnage up 15%-20% Recycling tonnage up 15%-20% Small trash bag sales - upSmall trash bag sales - up

What are the challenges?What are the challenges?

Lengthy process to “do it right”Lengthy process to “do it right”

Perception it’s a taxPerception it’s a tax

PoliticsPolitics

Start-up costs (education, staff time)Start-up costs (education, staff time)

Concerns about illegal dumpingConcerns about illegal dumping

For more information…For more information…

Brooke Nash, Branch ChiefBrooke Nash, Branch Chief

MassDEP MassDEP

Municipal Waste Reduction ProgramMunicipal Waste Reduction Program

617-292-5984617-292-5984

Brooke.nash@state.ma.us

www.mass.gov/dep/recyclewww.mass.gov/dep/recycle