Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions

Sustainable Solid Waste
Solutions
A Comprehensive Review of Sykesvilles
Solid Waste & Recycling Collection
Operations
Presented by: Brad R. Dyjak, Intern
In Collaboration with:
Matthew Candland, Town Manager
Ronald Esworthy, Director of Public Works
Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!
Mission
Sykesvilles Public Works Department
strives to collect solid waste in an efficient
and professional manner with the express
aim to minimize the impact on the
environment.
Goals
1. Reduce the tonnage of solid waste
produced by residents
2. Increase amount of waste recycled

3. Promote cost equity for service provided
4. Finance rapidly rising tipping fees in
more sustainable manner
Motto
While Sykesville has made great
strides in bolstering its recycling
efforts, we need to do more to
REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE!
Reviewing instead of Reacting

Therefore, it became necessary to
review the Towns current plans for
dealing with municipal solid waste
(MSW) in order to be
PROACTIVE
Current Situation
In 2008, Carroll County will dispose of
265,000 tons of MSW
About 64,000 tons will be recycled

90% of MSW will be transported 190
miles to a landfill in Virginia
Sykesville contributes 1,360 tons of

residential MSW p/yr
Current Situation
County Landfill charges $61 for each ton of trash

dumped
Last years tipping fees cost the Town nearly

$100,000
$79,000 for Residential
Fuel costs were $13,000
Average household in Sykesville generates

1.36 TONS of waste p/yr
This translates into approx 3 lbs p/person p/day
Current Situation
Recycling Participation in Town is:
70%
Annual Tonnage of Residential MSW

1,360
Annual Tonnage Recycled (in addition to MSW)

379
Percentage of Materials Recycled:

21.78%
Overview of Operations
Weekly collection of trash
Friday collection of recyclables
All trash loads taken to Northern
Landfill (acts as transfer station)
Overview of Benefits
Waste Management is contracted by
County to transport majority of waste to
Virginia
Recyclables transported to sorting facility

in Howard County
NO Tipping Fee incurred by Town
As of last year, Single Stream Recycling

Allows for greater ease
Overview of Operations
Towns Solid Waste Collection operation is
entirely funded through property tax which
goes into General Fund for disbursal by
Council each year
Most residents are unaware of the actual

cost of collection
Labor + Collection + Transportation
$238,500 p/y ($208,000 strictly MSW)
Solution Considerations
Mandatory Recycling Ordinances
Increasing types of recyclables accepted
Limiting amount of waste collected
Restricting certain materials from collection
Greater Educational Efforts on Recycling
Connecting individuals to their impact
Concept of Variable Rate

Collection
Over 7,000 communities nationwide have

adopted a variable rate system
"Economics, Environment, Equity!
Structure whereby residents take responsibility

for their waste
Creates a consciousness of residents' waste

output
A proven program endorsed by the EPA and

various municipal organizations

Collection
Aims to reduce waste generated, and
simultaneously increase recycling
Residents use either bags, bins, or

tags authorized by Town
Purchased ahead of curbside pickup

Not subject to sales tax

Collection
Town responsible for procurement
of bags, bins, or tags
Distribution through Town House

and various area merchants
Sticker attached by DPW personnel

to any nonnon-conforming bag or bin
that is not collected
Benefits of Variable Rate

Collection
Significantly Reduces amount of
waste generated
Creates financial incentive to review
waste habits
Direct correlation in increasing recycling
rates
Rewards residents who produce less

waste and recycle

Collection
Residents will identify ways to
purchase recyclable materials or
adaptively reuse items
Decrease in MSW tonnage produced =

Decrease in tipping fees incurred
Equitable financing of service cost

burden

Collection
Promotes environmentally sound
policy
Less waste to pollute landfills
Maintains competitive pricing with

contracted private haulers
Still significantly lower cost than
County residents pay
Cost Comparisons (p/y)

Town vs. Carroll County Private Haulers (2007)
Allied
Waste
Area
Refuse
Service
Carroll
County
Waste
Services
Hughes
Trash
Removal
Town of
Sykesville
$286
$284
$270
$264
$238*
(up 30%30%-03)
(up 21%21%-03)
(up 27%27%-03)
No yard waste
services
Additional for
bulk & yard
waste
Additional for
bulk & yard waste
Additional for
bulk & yard
waste
Incl.
Yard Waste
& Bulk
Drawbacks of Variable Rate

Collection
Initial public skepticism and confusion
Up front starting costs
Costs of bags/bins/tags
Educational campaign materials
Potential for illegal dumping as alternative

to paying for disposal
Administration and Enforcement
Case Studies on VRC

Numerous communities of varying sizes
have implemented VRC
Large cities such as:
San Jose, CA
Fort Collins, CO
Norfolk, VA
Vancouver, WA
Focus on Regional VRC Cases
Case Studies on VRC

Poquoson, VA
Population: 11,811
Started: 1992
Tag system - converted to bins in 2007
Consistent reduction in MSW tonnage
produced
Combined with aggressive, mandatory
recycling program
Problem with some residents placing bags in
commercial dumpsters
Leader in recycling rate & participation rate in
region

Case Studies on VRC

Pennsylvania
211 municipalities participate in VRC
Encouraged and partially subsidized by
commonwealth
Initiated to combat the rising amounts of MSW
in landfills as PA is a net IMPORTER of waste
Needed to give incentive to reduce
Numerous variations of VRC
55% also enforce mandatory recycling
12% collect MSW inin-house vs. contracted
hauler
Case Studies on VRC

Perkasie Borough, PA
Pop: 8,828
Started: 1988
Tag system
InIn-house refuse collection
59% REDUCTION of MSW first year after VRC
introduced
2007 Recycling rate = 43% (County Leader)
Newsletters & Brochures promoting VRC &
recycling

Case Studies on VRC

Penn Township, PA
Pop: 15,000
Started: 1992
Bag system
Bags sold in 12 area merchants at $3.25 each
(limit 35lbs)
Self
Self--sustaining rate structure
Radio, PTA announcements
While there has been a 55% increase in
population since 1992, 20% reduction in tons

Case Studies on VRC

Penn Township MSW in Relation to Population
16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
Residents
8,000
MSW Tons
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
1992
1993
2007
Case Studies on VRC

Maryland
Only one municipality has adopted a VRC
Charles County has used a similar program by
requiring bags to be tagged if brought to
landfill
Experiments w/ VRC in Montgomery County &
Mt. Airy
Since most of MSW in Maryland is either
burned in WTE Plants or hauled out of state,
there has been little impetus to adopt a VRC
Case Studies on VRC

Aberdeen
Pop: 14,000
Started: 1993
Tag system
Only municipality in MD to utilize VRC
Recycling rate increased 41% and MSW
decreased 24% in year following VRC
Recycling Leader in Harford County

Case Studies on VRC

Aberdeen MSW in Relation to Population
5,000
4,000
3,000
Households
MSW Tons
Recycled Tons
2,000
1,000
0
1992
1993
2006
Case Studies on VRC
Mount Airy
2000 Study on VRC by Sanitation & Recycling
Commission
Recommended against adopting VRC
Since Mt. Airy contracts their MSW & recycling

collection, VRC was deemed too difficult to implement
VRC was also considered too confusing to residents due

to recent changes in recycling and waste policy
Final recommendation was to enforce mandatory

recycling w/ transparent bags & to increase recycling
education
Summary of Lessons
1. Combine VRC w/ enhanced recycling
efforts for maximum impact
2. Allow plenty of time to educate and
involve residents in process (4(4-6 mos)
3. Augment current recycling services
4. Continue elementary school recycling
outreach programs
Diagnosis of Current Trends

Catalysts for Change
1. Towns recycling rate, while not paltry,
has stagnated
2. Participation in curbside residential
recycling is at best, only 70%
3. As the county investigates more efficient
waste management, it is imperative that
the Town take the lead on its own level

4. Our current model places an undue burden on
those who consciously reduce their waste and
produce less than their neighbors, whereby they
essentially subsidize the disposal of a more
wasteful neighbor
5. There is little economic incentive or reward to
increase recycling
6. Fuel costs for transporting waste to landfill have
outpaced projections

7. While tipping fees have continually
increased, the Towns revenue
dedicated to solid waste collection has
not kept pace.
8. Tipping fees are anticipated to increase
substantially by July 1st by 23 % to
$75p/t and will most likely be raised
again in the upcoming years.
Projected Tipping Fees (p/ton)
Projected Tipping Fee Costs to

Town
Fiscal Year Annual Residential Tipping Fees
@ Current MSW Output
2008
$83,000
2009
$102,000
2010
$107,500
2011
$113,000
2012
$118,400
2013
$123,800
Projected Tipping Fee Costs to

Town
$140,000
$120,000
$100,000
Tipping Fees
10% Reduction
15% Reduction
24% Reduction
$80,000
$60,000
$40,000
$20,000
$0
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Opportunity Knocks
The Town has a unique opportunity to
control these factors as it is the only
municipality in the County to operate
its own collection system.
Prognosis of Operations
Therefore, with each of these factors
considered, the Towns current
system for solid waste and recycling
collection is
UNSUSTAINABLE!
Prescription for Sustainable

Solutions
Recommendations:
1. Adoption of a Variable Rate Collection System which
finances tipping fee costs, while property tax
continues to fund labor & hauling costs
2. Increasing recycling services offered to residents
3. Order larger capacity recycling bins to replace old bins
as needed
4. Continue Recycling education both adults & children
Goals Revisited
1.
2.
3.
4.
Reduce the tonnage of

solid waste produced by
residents
Adopt a competitive VRC
Increase amount of
waste recycled
Education & Enhancing
Promote cost equity for

service provided
Create a VRC pricing that
Finance rapidly rising

tipping fees in more
sustainable manner
Reduce MSW tonnage &
structure promoting incentives

to recycle
services
permits residents to control

their expenditure
recuperate a fair cost from

VRC fees
Enhancing Services
Enhance recycling program
Potential tire recycling
Curbside pickup of batteries,
electronics
Grasscycling/ additional yard waste
Additional Cleanup day in November

Recycling & Composting Education
Implementation Issues
Bags v. Bins v. Tags ?
Bags are most efficient & effective
Bags control amount of waste placed
Prevents the uneven sizes of bins/cans
Less expensive than uniformed bins
Easier to enforce and collect than tags
Low likelihood of being counterfeited
Convenience to residents
Implementation Costs
85,000 bags p/y x $0.20 p/b = $17,000 annually

Recycling bins @ $8 p/b = $8,000
Educational brochures
Workshop flyers
Allot set amt. of free bags for first yr
Permit a Grace Period for initial mos.
Total startup = $33,000
All to be recuperated
Implementation Issues
Pricing of bags
Price p/ 50lb
bag
Costs
Covered
2008-09
2008Revenue
$0.95
79% of
tipping fees
$80,000
$1.20
100% of
tipping fees
$102,000
$1.40
Tipping fees +
cost of bags
$119,000
Implementation Schedule (1/2)

March 8
Mayor & Council Retreat
Present Framework for VRC, Establish Timeline
March 10
Mayor & Council Meeting
Create Brochures to advertise VRC Workshops in A,M,J
March
Elementary Schools
Classroom Recycling Outreach

Recycling Poster Contest w/ James Fleming
April 14
First VRC Workshop
April 22
Poster Contest Deadline
Judge Posters, Award Prizes, School Presentation
April
1.Flyer summarizing April Workshop & advertising May
1.Flyer
2.Continue
2.
Continue Classroom Outreach
May 12
Workshop 2
May
1.Flyer summarizing May Workshop & advertising June
1.Flyer
2.Include
2.
Include recycling tips in flyer
3.Identify
3.
Identify manufacturers for bags
4.Solicit
4.
Solicit area merchants for sale of bags
5.Draft
5.
Draft Ordinance & Fee schedule for June meeting
Implementation Schedule (2/2)

June 9

1.
2.
Final Workshop
Introduction of VRC Ordinance by Council
1.
Flyer advertising public hearing on VRC Ordinance at July

meeting
1.
2.
Public Hearing on VRC Ordinance

Motion to Adopt Ordinance following public comment
June
July 14
July/August
1.
2.
3.
4.
September 2
**Implementation on
Trash Route**
Advertising Campaign for VRC program

Place Request for Bids on bags
Finalize merchant participants & advertise them in
newsletter
Procure bags, distribute to merchants & Town House
***Variable Rate Collection Begins***
Summary of Opportunities for

Public Input & Outreach
1. Three Public Workshops (3)

2. Two Public Hearings (2)
3. Four flyer mailings to all town
4.
5.
6.
households (4)
Article/Advertisement in Newsletter
Recycling Poster Competition
Recycling Education
Finding a sustainable solution to our solid

waste issues is certainly a challenge, and
adapting to a variable rate collection will
no doubt pose challenges as well.
However, this is an opportunity for the entire town

to collaborate to have lasting tangible impact.
Therefore, we encourage all residents to solicit
their input throughout the process to make this
a success!

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions

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Sustainable Solid Waste

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

2. Increase amount of waste recycled

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Reviewing instead of Reacting

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

About 64,000 tons will be recycled

Sykesville contributes 1,360 tons of

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

County Landfill charges $61 for each ton of trash

Last years tipping fees cost the Town nearly

$79,000 for Residential

Fuel costs were $13,000

Average household in Sykesville generates

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Annual Tonnage of Residential MSW

Annual Tonnage Recycled (in addition to MSW)

Percentage of Materials Recycled:

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Recyclables transported to sorting facility

As of last year, Single Stream Recycling

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Most residents are unaware of the actual

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Mandatory Recycling Ordinances

Increasing types of recyclables accepted

Limiting amount of waste collected

Restricting certain materials from collection

Greater Educational Efforts on Recycling

Connecting individuals to their impact

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Concept of Variable Rate

Over 7,000 communities nationwide have

"Economics, Environment, Equity!

Structure whereby residents take responsibility

Creates a consciousness of residents' waste

A proven program endorsed by the EPA and

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Concept of Variable Rate

Residents use either bags, bins, or

Purchased ahead of curbside pickup

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Concept of Variable Rate

Distribution through Town House

Sticker attached by DPW personnel

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Benefits of Variable Rate

Rewards residents who produce less

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Benefits of Variable Rate

Decrease in MSW tonnage produced =

Equitable financing of service cost

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Benefits of Variable Rate

Maintains competitive pricing with

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Cost Comparisons (p/y)

Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions!

Drawbacks of Variable Rate

Potential for illegal dumping as alternative

Administration and Enforcement