Overview effect of Overview effect of Single Stream on Single Stream on Plastics Recycling Plastics Recycling and Recycling in and Recycling in

GeneralGeneral

By Tamsin EttefaghBy Tamsin Ettefagh

Of Envision PlasticsOf Envision Plastics

First: Who is Envision First: Who is Envision Plastics?Plastics?

• Started in June 2001Started in June 2001• Bought FCR and Union Carbides Plastic Bought FCR and Union Carbides Plastic

Recycling PlantsRecycling Plants• Upgraded and expanded the Reidsville FCR Upgraded and expanded the Reidsville FCR

plant with integrating the Union Carbide plant with integrating the Union Carbide equipmentequipment

• Went from a low of 36 employees and 1.8 Went from a low of 36 employees and 1.8 million pounds per month to 60 employees and million pounds per month to 60 employees and 4.5 million pounds per month4.5 million pounds per month

• Second Plant started in Chino, CA -October Second Plant started in Chino, CA -October 2001 2001

What does Envision Do?What does Envision Do?

• We wash HDPE BottlesWe wash HDPE Bottles• Approximately 2,500,000 bottles Approximately 2,500,000 bottles

each day are ground, washed, sorted each day are ground, washed, sorted and extruded into pellets each day and extruded into pellets each day by both Envision Plastic Plants.by both Envision Plastic Plants.

The Colors we seeThe Colors we see

• Envision works with over 250,000 shades Envision works with over 250,000 shades of color to develop the colors we sell.of color to develop the colors we sell.

• There may be several thousand shades of There may be several thousand shades of a color that makes up one color we sell a color that makes up one color we sell month in month out.month in month out.

• Envision Sorts 45,000,000 flakes per Envision Sorts 45,000,000 flakes per hourhour

• Which is close to a million flakes per Which is close to a million flakes per minuteminute

Now onto Single Stream with a Now onto Single Stream with a

PreviewPreview

A Look Back A Look Back

Current TrendsCurrent TrendsResidential CollectionResidential Collection

Processing and MarketingProcessing and Marketing

Single Stream Single Stream Collection and Processing Collection and Processing

Advantages and DisadvantagesAdvantages and Disadvantages

Looking ForwardLooking Forward ConclusionsConclusions

Definitions:Definitions:

Curb Sort: Each individual Curb Sort: Each individual recyclable was sorted at the curb recyclable was sorted at the curb into different compartments on the into different compartments on the truck.truck.

Dual Stream: Fiber was separated Dual Stream: Fiber was separated from containers into two different from containers into two different compartments on the truck.compartments on the truck.

Single Stream: Fiber and containers Single Stream: Fiber and containers commingled together in the same commingled together in the same recycling compartment on the truck. recycling compartment on the truck.

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

• Late 1800’s - Recycler’s went through cities ringing Late 1800’s - Recycler’s went through cities ringing a bell on horse drawn carriages collecting from a bell on horse drawn carriages collecting from residents paper metal and clothing.residents paper metal and clothing.

• 1950’s - Many cities had residential newspaper 1950’s - Many cities had residential newspaper pick-ups separate from the trash. These generally pick-ups separate from the trash. These generally faded out over 10 years. faded out over 10 years.

• Mid 1980’s - Modern curbside dual stream Mid 1980’s - Modern curbside dual stream programs became popularprograms became popular

• Early 1990’s - First single stream program began in Early 1990’s - First single stream program began in Phoenix AZ. Phoenix AZ.

• Late 1990 - Early 2000’s single stream taking off Late 1990 - Early 2000’s single stream taking off across the country.across the country.

Collection Trends Collection Trends

Recycling Bins Recycling Bins >> Recycling Recycling

CartsCarts

ManualManual >> AutomatedAutomated

ProcessingProcessing

SINGLE STREAM MRF Tipping Floor

Transport ConveyorTransport Conveyor

Pre-Sort StationPre-Sort Station

Post-Sort StationPost-Sort Station

MarketingMarketing

Looking Forward:Looking Forward:

Single StreamSingle Stream

In 1997, there were approx. 4 single In 1997, there were approx. 4 single stream recycling programs across stream recycling programs across the U.S. Now, there are over 95.the U.S. Now, there are over 95.

AdvantagesAdvantages

1. Cost of collection is lower1. Cost of collection is lower

Easier for the resident to recycleEasier for the resident to recycle

Increases recycling ratesIncreases recycling rates

Encourages innovation in recycling Encourages innovation in recycling equipmentequipment

Increases the tonnages for MRF’s Increases the tonnages for MRF’s to process to process

LOWER COLLECTION COSTSLOWER COLLECTION COSTS

2. Ability to utilize fewer, larger containers 2. Ability to utilize fewer, larger containers

and collect more tons for less moneyand collect more tons for less money

Less driver turnover / better attendanceLess driver turnover / better attendance

Less driver worker compensation claimsLess driver worker compensation claims

Automated bin pick averages 800 to 1000 Automated bin pick averages 800 to 1000 homes per day with one homes per day with one driver while the old dual stream system driver while the old dual stream system averages averages 400 to 600 homes per day 400 to 600 homes per day with driver and helperwith driver and helper

BETTER FOR THE RESIDENTBETTER FOR THE RESIDENT

3. 3. The newer wheeled containers have The newer wheeled containers have over 5 times the capacity and over 5 times the capacity and ease moving the recyclables to the ease moving the recyclables to the curbcurb

Lids keep material dry and Lids keep material dry and containedcontained

Convenience encourages Convenience encourages participation participation

INCREASES RECYCLING RATESINCREASES RECYCLING RATES

4. Tonnage increases from 25 to 4. Tonnage increases from 25 to 100% when 100% when

single stream is implementedsingle stream is implemented

Example: City of Los Angeles (East Example: City of Los Angeles (East Valley district) changed from dual Valley district) changed from dual stream to single stream in 1998. stream to single stream in 1998. Net recycling tonnage went from Net recycling tonnage went from 1900 tons per month to 4500 tons 1900 tons per month to 4500 tons per month.per month.

More Advantages to “Single More Advantages to “Single Stream”Stream”

For PlasticsFor Plastics5.5. With effective promotion, a single Stream With effective promotion, a single Stream

program:program:

• Simplifies the educational messageSimplifies the educational message

• Increases recovery of PET and HDPE Increases recovery of PET and HDPE

bottlesbottles

• Reduces non-bottle plastic contamination Reduces non-bottle plastic contamination

such such

as glass, grit, and dirt.as glass, grit, and dirt.

• New Technology has made it easier to sort New Technology has made it easier to sort

multiple commoditiesmultiple commodities

IMPROVED RECYCLING EQUIPMENTIMPROVED RECYCLING EQUIPMENT

Single stream has forced the recycling Single stream has forced the recycling industry into new innovative sorting industry into new innovative sorting processes:processes:

– Disc ScreensDisc Screens– Air classification systemsAir classification systems– Trommel screens Trommel screens – Eddy-current and magnetic Eddy-current and magnetic

separatorsseparators– Optical automated sorting is now Optical automated sorting is now

being tested at select locationsbeing tested at select locations

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Processing costs are higherProcessing costs are higher

End products are more End products are more contaminatedcontaminated

What are some of Single What are some of Single Stream’s weak points?Stream’s weak points?

• If the education and wrong equipment are in If the education and wrong equipment are in place then the millage loss increases for the place then the millage loss increases for the MRF and the Mill.MRF and the Mill.

• The Paper Mills state that there were The Paper Mills state that there were 39Million pounds of Plastics sent to their 39Million pounds of Plastics sent to their paper mills that came from Single Stream paper mills that came from Single Stream What type of Plastic needs questioning?What type of Plastic needs questioning?

• The Glass cullet has increased the wear and The Glass cullet has increased the wear and tear on the Paper Mill’s equipment’tear on the Paper Mill’s equipment’

• The Glass cullet from single stream has more The Glass cullet from single stream has more mixed colored which in turn makes it harder to mixed colored which in turn makes it harder to market and due to other contamination there market and due to other contamination there have been weak spots in Glass’s Final product.have been weak spots in Glass’s Final product.

HIGHER PROCESSING COSTSHIGHER PROCESSING COSTS

All commodities are mixed together so it All commodities are mixed together so it requires more labor to separaterequires more labor to separate

Extra MRF space is required as sorting Extra MRF space is required as sorting systems are much largersystems are much larger

Initial investment in sorting equipment is Initial investment in sorting equipment is high. The newest single stream lines cost high. The newest single stream lines cost more than $2,500,000 without land, balers, more than $2,500,000 without land, balers, and installationand installation

Paper Mills and Single StreamPaper Mills and Single Stream

Recently completed study by AF&PA states Recently completed study by AF&PA states overall system wide expenses increased an overall system wide expenses increased an average of $3/ton for paper collected in average of $3/ton for paper collected in single stream programs: single stream programs:

• Curbside collection costs average $15/ton lessCurbside collection costs average $15/ton less• Sorting costs at MRF average $10/ton moreSorting costs at MRF average $10/ton more• Mills operating and maintenance costs increased Mills operating and maintenance costs increased

an average of $8/ton ($50 million annually) an average of $8/ton ($50 million annually)

Why Consider “Single Why Consider “Single Stream”Stream”

For Plastics?For Plastics?

The #1 problem that The #1 problem that plastic recyclers face plastic recyclers face is is lack of raw lack of raw materialmaterial …(PET & …(PET & HDPE bottles)HDPE bottles)

Why Consider “Single Stream” Why Consider “Single Stream” For Plastics?For Plastics?

A problem facing communities is that A problem facing communities is that recovery recovery ratesrates for plastic bottles are for plastic bottles are declining despite an declining despite an increase in increase in poundspounds of plastics generated each of plastics generated each year…year…

• Look at the fuel cost today and what Look at the fuel cost today and what it would have cost to pick up the it would have cost to pick up the curbside separated vs the single curbside separated vs the single streamstream

Why Consider All Plastic Why Consider All Plastic Bottles as part of Single Bottles as part of Single Stream?Stream? Because 96 % of all plastic Because 96 % of all plastic bottles arebottles are PET and HDPE! PET and HDPE!

PET53%

HDPE43%

Other4%

Increased in Contamination?Increased in Contamination?

HDPE and PET bottles constitute a HDPE and PET bottles constitute a higher percentage of all plastic higher percentage of all plastic material collectedmaterial collected

Percentage of non-bottle rigid Percentage of non-bottle rigid plastic containers are typically plastic containers are typically decreased; e.g. films, bags, traysdecreased; e.g. films, bags, trays

So Why Consider “Single So Why Consider “Single Stream”?Stream”?

• For the ConsumerFor the Consumer• More responsive serviceMore responsive service• Ability to add commoditiesAbility to add commodities• Local contacts in some casesLocal contacts in some cases• No sorting for the haulerNo sorting for the hauler• More convenient when same day as More convenient when same day as

trash pick uptrash pick up• Lower cost for haulingLower cost for hauling

Increased Contamination at the Increased Contamination at the MRF with Single Stream?MRF with Single Stream?

Not if the program is properly Not if the program is properly launched with education and launched with education and follow upfollow up..

Not with holding consumers Not with holding consumers accountable by leaving accountable by leaving contaminates in the bin or Cart contaminates in the bin or Cart in the beginningin the beginning

With Education considerWith Education consider

• Full training of StaffFull training of Staff• DoorhangersDoorhangers• Articles and Press ReleasesArticles and Press Releases• Information in the delivered bins or cartsInformation in the delivered bins or carts• Stickers on bins and carts about what is Stickers on bins and carts about what is

not allowednot allowed• Web PageWeb Page• Follow up press releasesFollow up press releases• Leaving materials in bin with a check off Leaving materials in bin with a check off

list preprinted stickylist preprinted sticky

Increased Contamination at the Increased Contamination at the Mill with Single Stream? Mill with Single Stream?

• Not if the Mrf used the right Not if the Mrf used the right equipment and followed up with feed equipment and followed up with feed back to the hauler about the back to the hauler about the contamination. contamination.

Summary Conclusions:Summary Conclusions:

COLLECTING SINGLE STREAMCOLLECTING SINGLE STREAM::1.1. Allows a simplified messageAllows a simplified message

2.2. Can increase household participation Can increase household participation

3.3. Increases capture of PET & HDPE Increases capture of PET & HDPE

bottlesbottles

4.4. Improves operating costs per ton when Improves operating costs per ton when

more pounds are processed and lowers more pounds are processed and lowers

cost to the consumercost to the consumer

5. Diverts more tons for recycling and 5. Diverts more tons for recycling and

less tons to the landfillless tons to the landfill