Lowndes County Lowndes County Solid Waste Solid Waste

ManagementManagement

IntroductionIntroduction

Solid Waste Management Committee Solid Waste Management Committee Members:Members:

Robin English – Public Works DirectorRobin English – Public Works Director Mike Fletcher – County EngineerMike Fletcher – County Engineer Stephanie Black – Finance DirectorStephanie Black – Finance Director Paige Dukes – Public Information OfficerPaige Dukes – Public Information Officer Kevin L. Beals – Development ReviewerKevin L. Beals – Development Reviewer

GoalsGoalsRedistribute revenue sources as set forth Redistribute revenue sources as set forth

by the requirements of House Bill 489. by the requirements of House Bill 489. Create a user friendly system of Create a user friendly system of

collection and disposal that encourages collection and disposal that encourages recycling and waste reduction. recycling and waste reduction.

Evaluate avenues by which solid waste Evaluate avenues by which solid waste management in Lowndes County can management in Lowndes County can effectively meet the needs of a growing effectively meet the needs of a growing community. community.

What is Solid Waste?What is Solid Waste?

Solid Waste is more commonly Solid Waste is more commonly known as trash or garbage and known as trash or garbage and is made up of every day items is made up of every day items that we throw away during our that we throw away during our various daily activities.various daily activities.

How is Solid Waste Disposed of How is Solid Waste Disposed of in Lowndes County?in Lowndes County?

As Solid Waste is generated and As Solid Waste is generated and disposed of by residents and disposed of by residents and businesses in Lowndes County businesses in Lowndes County various haulers collect and various haulers collect and transport the material to the transport the material to the “Veolia Pecan Row Landfill” for “Veolia Pecan Row Landfill” for disposal.disposal.

Collection Collection CentersCenters

Lowndes County Collection Lowndes County Collection CentersCenters

Population Density MapPopulation Density Map

Collection Center Service Collection Center Service AreasAreas

Ousley12%

Hahira15%

Lakes20%

Industrial24%

Pine Grove27%

Naylor2%

Hahira

LakesIndustrial

Pine Grove

NaylorOusley

UnincorporatedUnincorporated Lowndes County Address Points = 24,364Lowndes County Address Points = 24,364 Address Points Within Plated Subdivisions = 11,781Address Points Within Plated Subdivisions = 11,781

DisposalDisposalTrendsTrends

Naylor3%

Ousley6%

Hahira16%

Lakes14%

Industrial38%

Pine Grove23%

Hahira

Lakes

Industrial

Pine Grove

Naylor

Ousley

PercentagePercentage of Waste Disposalof Waste Disposal

Distribution of WasteDistribution of Waste

1912.38

644.37

1131.85

370.36

796.64

265.55

713.16

237.72296.12

98.71 131.2343.74

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

Industrial Pine Grove Hahira Lakes Ousley Naylor

Dry Bulky Household Garbage

Distribution of WasteDistribution of Waste4981.38

1660.45

910.1

601.5

0.00

500.00

1,000.00

1,500.00

2,000.00

2,500.00

3,000.00

3,500.00

4,000.00

4,500.00

5,000.00

Dry Bulky Household Garbage Recyclables Yard Waste

Tons

BudgetBudget

Budget BreakdownBudget Breakdown

Material

8%

6%

22%

64%

Recyclable Yard WasteHousehold Mixed Bulky

Administration

$750,000

$325,000$350,000

Operations Transportation Disposal

Cost of OperationCost of Operation

$0.00

$200,000.00

$400,000.00

$600,000.00

$800,000.00

$1,000,000.00

$1,200,000.00

$1,400,000.00

COST INCREASE BY FISCAL YEAR

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Budget ProjectionsBudget Projections

On average, the solid waste budget has On average, the solid waste budget has increased an average ofincreased an average of 10.22%10.22% over the over the last 3 years.last 3 years.

If trends continue, by fiscal year 2010-If trends continue, by fiscal year 2010-11, Lowndes County will spend an 11, Lowndes County will spend an estimatedestimated $1,865,730.00$1,865,730.00 on solid waste.on solid waste.

Budget SummaryBudget Summary

As the demand for solid waste As the demand for solid waste disposal has increased the disposal has increased the general funding for solid waste general funding for solid waste management has not and is management has not and is therefore not meeting the therefore not meeting the financial requirements of those financial requirements of those using the system.using the system.

DevelopmentDevelopment

Development ImpactDevelopment Impact

2,8363,560

4,808

11,204

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

2005 2006 2007 Total

New WasteGenerated(Tons)

Disposal Rate = 7.73 Lbs./Person/Day or 1.41 Tons Per Year/Person.

Population TrendsPopulation Trends According to the U.S. Census Bureau the historic According to the U.S. Census Bureau the historic

population growth of Lowndes County is as population growth of Lowndes County is as follows:follows:

1980 – 67,972 residents1980 – 67,972 residents 1990 – 75,981 residents1990 – 75,981 residents 2000 – 92,115 residents2000 – 92,115 residents 2007 – 101,790 residents (U.S. Census Bureau 2007 – 101,790 residents (U.S. Census Bureau

Estimate)Estimate)

The population growth of Lowndes County between The population growth of Lowndes County between 1980 and 2000 exceeds the total reported 1980 and 2000 exceeds the total reported

population for 97 out of 159 Counties located in population for 97 out of 159 Counties located in the State of Georgia.the State of Georgia.

RecapRecap

Collection CentersCollection Centers

Disposal TrendsDisposal Trends

BudgetBudget

DevelopmentDevelopment

Why?Why?

Why encourage Why encourage recyclingrecycling and and waste reductionwaste reduction??

Facts!Facts! 2.6 million tons of common recyclables are 2.6 million tons of common recyclables are

disposed of each year by Georgia households and disposed of each year by Georgia households and businesses. Disposal cost = $90 million. businesses. Disposal cost = $90 million.

The estimated market value of this material is $250 The estimated market value of this material is $250 million dollars. million dollars.

The State of Georgia is home of a $2.4 billion The State of Georgia is home of a $2.4 billion dollar recycling industry. dollar recycling industry.

9 out of the 15 paper mills in the State of Georgia 9 out of the 15 paper mills in the State of Georgia use 100% recycled material. use 100% recycled material.

1 out of every 3 plastic (P.E.T.) beverage 1 out of every 3 plastic (P.E.T.) beverage containers collected for recycling in the United containers collected for recycling in the United States goes to Carpet Mills in north Georgia. States goes to Carpet Mills in north Georgia.

Public EducationPublic Education

Public EducationPublic Education

Launch of a public education campaign Launch of a public education campaign centered around a community effort to:centered around a community effort to:

ReduceReduce

Reuse Reuse

RecycleRecycle

Waste ReductionWaste Reduction

Waste reduction, as the name implies, is Waste reduction, as the name implies, is anything that reduces waste by using less anything that reduces waste by using less material in the first place. material in the first place.

Buy durable products vs. disposableBuy durable products vs. disposableBuy items you can reuseBuy items you can reuseBuy products in bulkBuy products in bulkBuy items you can recycle locallyBuy items you can recycle locally

Waste ReductionWaste Reduction

SupportsSupports the State of Georgia’s material-the State of Georgia’s material-specific waste disposal reduction goals specific waste disposal reduction goals set for the years 2012 and 2017.set for the years 2012 and 2017.

2012 – Reduce waste by 11%2012 – Reduce waste by 11%

2017 – Reduce waste by 23%2017 – Reduce waste by 23%

Waste Reduction Waste Reduction CommodityCommodity Actual 2004Actual 2004

lbs/personlbs/person

Goal 2012Goal 2012

lbs/personlbs/person

% of reduction % of reduction by 2012by 2012

Goal 2017 Goal 2017 lbs/personlbs/person

% of % of reduction reduction by 2017by 2017

GlassGlass 0.1530.153 0.1400.140 8%8% 0.1400.140 8%8%

PaperPaper 1.1811.181 1.0001.000 15%15% 0.8500.850 28%28%

MetalMetal 0.2280.228 0.1980.198 13%13% 0.1860.186 18%18%

PlasticPlastic 0.6630.663 0.5600.560 16%16% 0.5300.530 20%20%

TotalTotal 2.232.23 1.991.99 11%11% 1.711.71 23%23%

State of Georgia Disposal Rate = 6.38 lbs/person/dayGreater Lowndes County Disposal Rate = 7.73 lbs/person/day

Recycling Hubs GrantRecycling Hubs Grant

On October 25On October 25thth, 2007 the State of Georgia , 2007 the State of Georgia announced that the City of Valdosta and announced that the City of Valdosta and Lowndes County (in partnership) would be Lowndes County (in partnership) would be (1) of (4) Regional Recycling Hub Grant (1) of (4) Regional Recycling Hub Grant award recipients. The intent behind this award recipients. The intent behind this grant is to implement new and innovative grant is to implement new and innovative regional recycling collection programs that regional recycling collection programs that encourage single stream recycling encourage single stream recycling techniques. techniques.

How?How?How do we create a solid waste How do we create a solid waste

management system that redistributes management system that redistributes revenue sources as set forth by the revenue sources as set forth by the requirements of House Bill 489? requirements of House Bill 489?

How do we create a user friendly system How do we create a user friendly system of collection and disposal that encourages of collection and disposal that encourages recycling and waste reduction? recycling and waste reduction?

How can we effectively meet the solid How can we effectively meet the solid waste management needs of a growing waste management needs of a growing community? community?

Disposal OptionsDisposal Options

Just as there are several issues Just as there are several issues compounding the complexity of managing compounding the complexity of managing the cost of waste disposal, the Solid Waste the cost of waste disposal, the Solid Waste Management Committee has compiled (2) Management Committee has compiled (2) two options for Solid Waste disposal that two options for Solid Waste disposal that will give citizens a choice regarding their will give citizens a choice regarding their preferred method of disposal.preferred method of disposal.

Disposal OptionsDisposal Options

1.1. The continued use of Collection The continued use of Collection Centers.Centers.

2.2. The use of Curbside Collection.The use of Curbside Collection.

Option #1Option #1

Provides residents wishing to continue Provides residents wishing to continue utilizing Lowndes County Solid Waste utilizing Lowndes County Solid Waste Collection Sites the ability to do so. This Collection Sites the ability to do so. This option will ensure that citizens who option will ensure that citizens who choose to use the option will also be the choose to use the option will also be the citizens funding the system.citizens funding the system.

P – PayP – PayA – AsA – AsY – YouY – YouT – ThrowT – Throw

What is PAYT?What is PAYT?

PAYT programs, also called unit-PAYT programs, also called unit-based or variable-rate pricing, based or variable-rate pricing, charge residents for waste collection charge residents for waste collection based on the amount of waste they based on the amount of waste they throw away – in the same way that throw away – in the same way that households are charged for households are charged for electricity, gas, and other utilities.electricity, gas, and other utilities.

Why PAYT?Why PAYT?

PAYT offers residents a more equitable PAYT offers residents a more equitable way to pay for collection and disposal of way to pay for collection and disposal of their trash – while at the same time, their trash – while at the same time, encouraging them to create less waste encouraging them to create less waste and increase the amount they recycle. and increase the amount they recycle.

““Throw away less, pay less”Throw away less, pay less”““Throw away more, pay more”Throw away more, pay more”

ProcessProcess

Lowndes County residents wishing to Lowndes County residents wishing to

participate in the “Pay as you Throw” method participate in the “Pay as you Throw” method of waste disposal would purchase a punch of waste disposal would purchase a punch card from the Finance or Public Works card from the Finance or Public Works Departments. When residents take their Departments. When residents take their waste material to the collection center they waste material to the collection center they would present the punch card to the Attendant would present the punch card to the Attendant who would then punch the card in accordance who would then punch the card in accordance with the amount of waste disposed. Bulky with the amount of waste disposed. Bulky items will be disposed of by voucher.items will be disposed of by voucher.

Punch Card ExamplePunch Card Example

Punch cards will be made of a light weight, durable plastic fabricated to withstand normal wear and tear for the life of the card.

Cards will be sold in three different dollar amounts that will be identified by color:

Green = $10.00 Yellow = $20.00 Red = $30.00

1 Punch = $2.00 = 1 Bag of Garbage

Voucher ExampleVoucher Example

Vouchers will be purchased in advance of disposal just as the punch cards. Citizens will surrender the voucher to the attendant at the time of disposal.

Truck Load = $10.00, Trailer Load = $10.00, Truck & Trailer Load = $20.00

““Litter. It Costs You”Litter. It Costs You”Comprehensive Litter Prevention and Comprehensive Litter Prevention and

Abatement Act of 2006Abatement Act of 2006

Consolidated 25 separate code references related to Consolidated 25 separate code references related to litter and illegal dumpinglitter and illegal dumping into 1 Act.into 1 Act.

Made drivers responsible for all material leaving Made drivers responsible for all material leaving vehicle.vehicle.

Authorizes all law enforcement agencies, officers and Authorizes all law enforcement agencies, officers and officials of the state or any political subdivision ……officials of the state or any political subdivision ……can enforce compliance. can enforce compliance.

Authorized any court, not just the Superior Court, to Authorized any court, not just the Superior Court, to hear littering and illegal dumping violations.hear littering and illegal dumping violations.

Option #2Option #2

Lowndes County residents wishing to Lowndes County residents wishing to

participate in “curb side collection” as participate in “curb side collection” as their primary method of disposal may their primary method of disposal may continue to do so. Citizens may not be continue to do so. Citizens may not be aware that curb side service can be aware that curb side service can be convenient, affordable and available to convenient, affordable and available to all Lowndes County residents.all Lowndes County residents.

Curbside CollectionCurbside Collection

2,500 3,000

14,785

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

Milo Veolia Collection Sites

Housing Units

Curbside FactsCurbside Facts

27% of residents who live in 27% of residents who live in unincorporated Lowndes County unincorporated Lowndes County currently receive curbside pickup from currently receive curbside pickup from private haulers.private haulers.

64% of Lowndes County residents 64% of Lowndes County residents receive curbside pickup.receive curbside pickup.

ProcessProcess

Implement a Non-Exclusive Franchise Implement a Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement for Solid Waste and Agreement for Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Collection for Recyclable Material Collection for those citizens who would like an those citizens who would like an option other than “Pay as You Throw”option other than “Pay as You Throw”

Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement OptionsOptions

-Weekly Residential Solid Waste Collection

-Weekly Residential Recycling Collection

-Bi-Monthly Bulky Waste Collection

-Bi-Monthly Yard Waste Collection

-Option of 60-70 Gallon Container or 90-100 Gallon Container

-Participants will have the option to contract with the hauler of their choice at a monthly fee that will fall within the limits set forth by Lowndes County via the Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement.

Not To Exceed PricingNot To Exceed Pricing

Participating Commercial Haulers Will Provide:

90-100 Gallon Container Not to Exceed $20.00 mo.

60-70 Gallon Container Not to Exceed $18.00 mo.

-Includes a Recycling Container-

Bulky Waste (per item) Not to Exceed $20.00

Yard Waste (per load) Not to Exceed $20.00

Back Door Pickup for Elderly or Disabled No Charge

ConclusionConclusion

By providing various disposal options we By providing various disposal options we

successfullysuccessfully allow citizens to determine allow citizens to determine which method of disposal best suits their which method of disposal best suits their disposal needs and how much they disposal needs and how much they spend will be directly proportionate on spend will be directly proportionate on how willing they are tohow willing they are to implement in implement in homehome ReduceReduce, , ReuseReuse andand Recycle Recycle waste waste reduction methods.reduction methods.

Lowndes County Lowndes County Solid Waste Solid Waste

ManagementManagement

Where do your tax dollars Where do your tax dollars go?go?

Industrial Authority

$0.04

County$0.35

State$0.01

County Schools$0.60

What does my tax money What does my tax money pay for?pay for?

Other Services are Health & Welfare and Culture & Recreation Services

Unincorporated Only Unincorporated Only RevenuesRevenues

Alcoholic Beverage Alcoholic Beverage Tax Tax

Occupational Tax Occupational Tax Cable Television Cable Television Insurance Premium Insurance Premium

Tax Tax Financial Institution Financial Institution Licenses - Alcoholic Licenses - Alcoholic Permits - Soil Permits - Soil Zoning Fees Zoning Fees Recycling Recycling

• Expenditures– South Georgia RDC– Fire – Mosquito Control– County Planner – Planning VALOR/GIS – Zoning – Airport Authority

Funding– Sanitation