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BringingBringing Curbside Curbside Recycling to DelawareRecycling to Delaware

A Proposal by:A Proposal by:

The Recycling Public Advisory Council (RPAC) The Recycling Public Advisory Council (RPAC) The Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA)The Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA)

The Department of Natural ResourcesThe Department of Natural Resourcesand Environmental Control (DNREC)and Environmental Control (DNREC)

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Purpose of Tonight’s Meeting

• Discuss Recycling in Delaware

• Present the recommendations of RPAC, DSWA, and DNREC

• Answer your questions

• Hear your comments and recommendations

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Recycling Public Advisory Council Recycling Public Advisory Council MembersMembers

• League of Women Voters• League of Local Governments• Delaware Association of Counties• Delaware Solid Waste Authority• DNREC, Division of Air and Waste Management• Delaware Economic Development Office• Recycling Express of Delaware, Inc.• Waste Management, Inc.• Delaware Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement

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RecommendationsRecommendations

Separate recyclables from trash and place in Separate recyclables from trash and place in one container at the curb.one container at the curb.

Waste haulers collect recyclables separate Waste haulers collect recyclables separate from trash.from trash.

DSWA will process recyclables.DSWA will process recyclables.

Yard waste banned from landfills.Yard waste banned from landfills.

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How We Got Here

• Executive Order 82

• Recycling Public Advisory Council (RPAC)

• Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

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Today’s SituationDisposal and Recycling

• Annually almost 1,000,000 tons of trash disposed of statewide

• Municipal SW recycling rate: About 22 %

• Residential recycling rate: About 4 %

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Today’s SituationRecycling Programs

• Voluntary drop-off at DSWA Igloos and limited municipal programs.

• 2700 households subscribe to DSWA’s curbside recycling program.

• Some haulers give a discount on trash collection to their customers who subscribe to the DSWA curbside program.

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Today’s Situation Today’s Situation Trash CollectionTrash Collection

Organized trash collection in Organized trash collection in MunicipalitiesMunicipalities

Competitive trash collection in Competitive trash collection in unincorporated areasunincorporated areas

DSWA manages the state landfillsDSWA manages the state landfills

Yard Waste Collection provided by Yard Waste Collection provided by Lawn Service companies and some Lawn Service companies and some MunicipalitiesMunicipalities

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Collection ChoicesCollection Choices

Voluntary subscription serviceVoluntary subscription service Organized collection of trash and Organized collection of trash and

recyclables recyclables Organized collection of recyclables Organized collection of recyclables

with current system for trash collectionwith current system for trash collection Competitive collection of recyclables Competitive collection of recyclables

with current system for trash collectionwith current system for trash collection Single Stream, Dual Stream or Source Single Stream, Dual Stream or Source

SeparatedSeparated

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The Proposal: Homeowner Requirements

• Residents must separate household recyclables and yard waste from household trash.

• Goal: a 30 % diversion rate for RSW and 40% diversion rate for MSW.

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The Proposal: Hauler RequirementsThe Proposal: Hauler Requirements

• Trash haulers must provide curbside collection of recyclables to their customers.

• Self haulers must recycle at DSWA drop-off centers at the landfills and transfer stations.

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The Proposal: Current Programs

• 140 Drop off centers in current use will be removed by DSWA

• Centers will remain at DSWA landfills & transfer stations

• Some programs will remain (Oil filter, electronic goods, Household Hazardous Waste)

• Subscription Service – residents will be entitled to use the DSWA curbside subscription service

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Program Costs

• Costs variables – Housing density, frequency of collection and distance.

• Costs will vary in different areas of the state.

• Revenue from recyclables does not cover the costs of collection.

• Anticipated Costs: Worst case estimates $3.00 to $7.00 per household per month. Fee will be set by Haulers and Municipalities.

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The Proposal: Collection of Recyclables

• Recyclables to be Collected Initially:- Paper (newspaper, phone books,

magazines, white office paper, junk mail, corrugated cardboard, paperboard/boxboard)

- Cans (aluminum and steel)- Plastic bottles (narrow-neck)

• Glass will not be collected curbside

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The Proposal: Collection of Recyclables

No separation of recyclables required.

One container for trash, one container for recyclables.

Reduces Collection Costs..

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The Proposal: Separation & Marketing of Recyclables

• DSWA will establish a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)

• DSWA will provide transfer facilities for collected recyclables

• No tipping fee at MRF or transfer facilities

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The Proposal: Funding

• General Fund Assistance for Municipalities

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The Proposal: FundingThe Proposal: Funding

• A Dedicated Fund will be used to cover the cost of:

- Recyclables Processing (to maintain $0 tipping fee)

- Outreach and Education- Enforcement

• Dedicated funds will be based on a collection charge to be paid by the solid waste haulers. The charge is not expected to exceed $3 dollars per ton.

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The Proposal: Yard Waste Collection • All yard waste banned from disposal in DSWA’s landfills.

• Collection: Residents and businesses must separate yard waste from trash and arrange for collection.

• Education will be provided on managing yard waste on site.

• Costs: $3 to $5 per household per month.

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The Proposal: Yard Waste Processing

• Collected yard waste will be turned into mulch and compost at either Public or Private facilities.

• DSWA will manage yard waste if appropriate sites located.

• Municipalities will determine how to manage yard waste for residents.

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What Does it All Mean to Me?

• Convenient collection of recyclables

• Increase diversion from 20,000 tons to 65,000 tons

• Cost of $3 to $7 per month for recyclables collection

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What Does it All Mean to Me?

• Conversion of yard waste to useful products

• Increase diversion from 50,000 tons to 115,000 tons

• Costs in the range of $3 to $5 per month for yard waste collection for those that choose this service

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What Does it All Mean to Me?What Does it All Mean to Me? Reduces need for landfill capacityReduces need for landfill capacity

Conserves energyConserves energy

Contributes to the economyContributes to the economy

Conserves non-renewable natural resourcesConserves non-renewable natural resources

Contributes to Environmental AwarenessContributes to Environmental Awareness

Reduces greenhouse gas emissionsReduces greenhouse gas emissions

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Next Steps

• Incorporate public comments into draft legislation.

• Complete legislative package by December 31, 2004.

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Your Turn

Questions?

Comments?

Recommendations?