PLANNING WORKSHOP: Solid Waste

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PLANNING WORKSHOP Solid Waste Recycling
Strategies in Rural CO
CAFR RECYCLING SUMMIT Keystone June 2006
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INTRODUCTIONS

• Laurie Batchelder Adams
• LBA Associates, Inc.
• CAFR and SWANA
• Marjie Griek
• CAFRs Executive Director
• Ann Zimmerman
• Ann Zimmerman Associates
• Utah Recycling Coalition and SWANA

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• Who has SWMPs
• in Colorado?

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WORKSHOP FORMAT

• Introduction
• Part I Laying the Groundwork
• Part II Waste Stream Analysis
• Part III Options for Improvement
• Wrap Up

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SWMP WORKSHOP

• Funding from some projects by the U.S. Department
  of Agriculture
• 2005/2006 Chaffee County SWMP in tandem with
  Lake and Custer Counties
• 2004/2005 Town of Oak Creek SWMP - South Routt
  County communities

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WORKSHOP ASSUMPTIONS

• SWMP developed for public agency
• Completion by third-party consultant
• System-wide approach
• Strong focus on recycling
• Lesser focus on disposal
• Workshop interaction from audience is key

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• INTRODUCTION

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• What are the obstacles to solid waste planning in
  Colorado?

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OBSTACLES TO RURAL SOLID WASTE PLANNING

• Small unincorporated communities
• Reliance on volunteers
• Mostly generally-funded
• Systems arent integrated
• Few landfill scales

• Landfill tip fees dont support good data
• Special waste typically not addressed

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OBSTACLES TO RECYCLING IN COLORADO

• Low landfill/transfer tip fees dont encourage
  diversion
• No state focus on sustainable waste diversion -
  no waste diversion goals minimal technical
  assistance
• Prevalence of private sector operations
• Low quantities of recyclables lack of local
  markets
• Lack of infrastructure for regional
  transfer/hauling
• Focus on non-bang recyclables

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WHAT IS A SWMP?

• Different functions and uses
• Many different planning approaches
• Broad (whole system) or narrow (program) focus
• Short (2 years) or long (20 years) planning
  period
• Evaluation of existing system against needs of
  future system gap analysis

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MOTIVATIONS FOR DEVELOPING A SWMP

• To support capitalization plan or program
  expansion
• To support political decisions
• To educate government leadership, staff
• Required as part of regulation or for another
  opportunity

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EARLY DECISIONS NEEDED

• SWMP goals
• Service area (waste shed)
• Planning period what FY is baseline
• Programs in system
• MSW only (or also CD)
• Level of detail
• Match needs with resources

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IMPORTANT PLANNING STRATEGIES

• Collect reasonable data
• Analyze data and other information
• Identify existing and future needs
• Evaluate and detail feasible options for
  addressing needs

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TYPICAL SWMP (OUTLINE)

• Introduction
• Existing Solid Waste System
• Future System Needs
• Possible System Improvements
• Top Recommendations
• Implementation

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• PART ILAYING THE GROUNDWORK

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• Which stakeholders should be invited to
  participate?

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ISSUES WITH STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

• Some will not be e-able
• Some will not participate actively
• Some have narrow agendas
• Many have only anecdotal contributions
• Many require education on feasibility associated
  with improvements options

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• STAKEHOLDER
• PARTNERSHIPS

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BACKGROUND DATA

• Existing population basis of future waste
  generation
• Housing impacts from SFU v. MFU v. mobile home
  no. of persons/household
• Economics employment levels, average salaries
• Other demographics ethnicity, age

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EXAMPLE DEMOGRAPHICS

• Custer County
• 6 persons/mi2
• 13 live in mobile homes, boats, RVs or other
• 2.36 persons/hh
• HH income 34,731

• State of Colorado
• 42 persons/mi2
• 2.53 persons/hh
• HH income 47,203
• Source US Census 2000

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EMPLOYMENT IN CHAFFEE, LAKE CUSTER COUNTIES
Source No American Industry Classification
System 2002
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NAICS DATA PRIVATE SOLID WASTE JOBS IN CO (2002)

• Collection
• 166 businesses - 2,765 employees - 119M wages
• Landfills
• 20 businesses - 613 employees - 33 wages
• Material Recovery Facilities
• 8 businesses 172 employees - 7M wages

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ICI DATA

• Institutions schools, health care, correctional
  facilities
• Businesses office, retail, food beverage,
  lodging, casinos
• Industry CD

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EXISTING SYSTEM

• Who - public, private, non-profit
• How manual or automated balefill or
  traditional source-separated or commingled
  collection events or permanent facility
• What materials, containers, vehicles, facility
  designs
• Where curbside or drop-site transfer station
  or landfill delivery or pick-up
• When weekly, seasonal, sporadic

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HOW COMPLEX CAN IT BE?!
Education Outreach
Other??
Public Recycling
Private Special Waste Mgmt
LANDFILL
Public Special Waste Mgmt
Private Recycling
Composting
Collection
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PROGRAM FACILITY DATA

• Responsible parties
• Quantities
• Resource requirements staff, equipment,
  supplies, services, in-kind contributions
• Revenues
• Obstacles needs
• disposal diversion special waste - outreach

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DATA SOURCES

• Background
• Local planning economic development
• CO Demography, US Census, NAICS
• Programs/Facilities
• All stakeholders public, private, non-profit
  citizens
• CDPHE landfill data
• Disposal data is more available than recycling
  data

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DATA ANALYSIS PROJECTIONS

• Summarize the story
• Quantify population projections
• Project future waste quantities (total)
• Calculate baseline rates (optional)
• Waste generation rate
• Diversion rate

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MSW GENERATION RATES

• U.S. national average 4.5 ppcd
• Colorado (as estimated by CDPHE) 6.7 ppcd
  without recycling quantities

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ISSUES WITH DATA COLLECTION

• Details from non-public stakeholders can be
  difficult to obtain
• Much information is verbal, anecdotal
• Some data simply not available
• If SWMP takes more than few months, data changes
  and government priorities change

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STRATEGIES TIPS

• Develop a list of data requests
• Conduct layers of interviews
• Double-check findings with multiple stakeholders
• Share intermediate results at multiple points in
  process
• Accept that data collection is an evolving process

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• PART IIWASTE STREAM ANALYSIS

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WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO LEARN?

• Information about disposal, diversion, both?
• Information about sectors (residential,
  commercial)?
• Information about materials (banned, recyclables,
  organics, special waste)?
• Information on current or existing programs?

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• SPECIAL NEEDS OF SPECIAL WASTES

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TARGET MATERIALS

• Landfill banned, prohibited materials,
  potential ADC materials
• Recyclables materials addressed by existing
  programs (future programs)
• Special wastes problem wastes
• CD
• Bulky items

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DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO WASTE STREAM ANALYSIS

• Generator waste analysis
• Recyclable stream analysis
• Landfill waste analysis discards
• Each can combine manual sort and visual
  observation

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LANDFILL WASTE ANALYSIS

• Full waste characterization ala California
• Multi-season 100 materials 100 samples
• 10 sorters needs 5-10 days each seasonal sort
• Cost 75k to 100k per season
• Modified waste sort (or audit)
• 1-2 season sort 30 materials as many samples
  as resources allow
• 1-2 days sorter mix of experience volunteers
• Cost lt 10,000
• Not as statistically defensible

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MODIFIED WASTE AUDIT

• Manual sort
• Identify residential commercial loads (may be
  limited number, may be mixed)
• Randomly select samples (assume each sorter can
  sort 100-200 pounds per day)
• Sort entire sample by targeted materials
• Visual observations
• Randomly observe self-haul loads (can be more
  than half of vehicle traffic)
• Randomly observe roll-off other vehicles
  tipping white goods, bulky items, tires, CD,
  industrial

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WASTE AUDIT LOGISTICS

• Sort location - near the working face (on tip pad
  and under cover if possible)
• Equipment loader, sorting containers, PPE
• Coordinate with haulers, landfill staff
• Sorters pre-audit training, protective gear,
  on-going sorting supervision

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• WASTE SORTING

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ANALYZING AUDIT RESULTS

• Determine percentage of each material in each
  sample
• Determine composition of each sector
• Determine composition of overall waste stream (if
  needed)
• Interpret the results consider limitations,
  visual observations, missing materials

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AVERAGED CHAFFEE LAKE COUNTY WASTE AUDIT RESULTS
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• PART IIIOPTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

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DETERMINING SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

• Identify broad range of generally feasible but
  preliminary options
• Evaluate options on a preliminary level
• Rank options
• Select top five for detailed analysis
• Identify resource, policy phasing needs for
  implementation

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• LOCAL MANAGERS NEEDS

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TYPES OF PRELIMINARY SYSTEM OPTIONS (partial list)

• Policy changes
• Programs collection, disposal, recycling,
  composting, special waste
• CD
• ICI Sectors commercial institutional
• Education outreach

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POLICY CHANGES

• Enterprise funding
• Expand data collection requirements in ordinance
  contracts
• Require recycling to be considered for MFUs
• Green purchasing

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• INNOVATIVE POLICIES IN COLORADO

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COLORADO POLICY EXAMPLES

• PAYT Durango, Fort Collins, Longmont
• Refuse haulers must offer curbside recycling
  Aspen, Boulder, Fort Collins
• New MFU construction must include recycling space
  Broomfield
• Landfill tip fee surcharges Weld County
• Enterprise funding Chaffee, Larimer

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IMPROVEMENTS TO COLLECTION PRACTICES

• PAYT pricing for refuse collection
• Enforce charges for overages bulky items
• Requiring trash haulers to offer curbside to
  residential, commercial customers
• Drop site v. curbside collection

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IMPROVEMENTS TO DISPOSAL SITE MANAGEMENT

• Improving data collection
• Differential rates for mixed v. segregated wastes
• Exploring use of currently disposed materials as
  ADC
• Adding vehicle scales
• Landfill bans

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INCREASED SUSTAINABILTY OF DIVERSION PROGRAMS

• Source reduction reuse
• Adding/deleting materials
• Source-separation v. commingling
• Processing equipment infrastructure
• End user contracts and markets analysis
• Composting yard waste, food waste, low-grade
  paper

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• TARGETING THE RIGHT MATERIALS FOR DIVERSION

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SOUTHWEST PAPER MARKET PRICES
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• UNDERSTANDING THE RECYCLABLES MARKETPLACE
• Karen Bloomfield, Valley Recycling
• Mick Barry, MidAmerica

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• What are the biggest problem materials solid
  waste managers deal with?

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CHANGES TO SPECIFIC MATERIALS STREAMS

• Banned motor vehicle wastes are local markets
  in place?
• Special waste management collection events v.
  permanent facilities
• CD aggregate recycling, use as ADC
• Commercial institutional wastes targeted
  technical assistance education programs

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• MOTOR VEHICLE WASTE DISPOSAL BAN

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LESSONS IN SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

• Goal Help students become future stewards of
  our environment as they assume leadership roles
  in their lives by providing information to make
  better decisions about managing solid waste as
  individuals and citizens through an understanding
  of the impact of waste in their lives and
  community, the finite resources of the earth, and
  the concept of increasing sustainable
  environmental relationships through reducing
  consumption, reusing, recycling and composting.

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TARGETS CONSTRAINTS

• Districts
• Buena Vista R-31
• Salida Schools R-32-J
• Custer County School District C-1
• Lake County School District R-1
• Targeted Grades 3-5
• Matched Goal with Colorado Educational Standards

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PROCESS

• Researched Standards
• Reviewed recent studies
• 4 Educator Appointments
• Drafted proposal with Goal, approach, and
  tentative lessons--Review
• Selected 4 lessons per grade plus 4
  Optional--relied on available materials
• Hard copies, electronic copy, Ollie

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PUBLIC OUTREACHChanging Attitudes and Behaviors

• Why and How?
• 1. Change in scientific information, academic
  studies, trends, or social or political movements
  ? Awareness by groups and individuals ?Educate
  the general public and policy-makers for the
  purpose of making a change.
• Examples Air and Water Pollution ?Pressure by
  Environmental Groups?Clean Air and Clean Water
  Acts ?RCRA
• Efforts by Professional Groups like Colorado
  Association for Recycling and the Solid Waste
  Association of North America to follow research
  and trends, provide education, and to brief
  policy-makers.

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PUBLIC OUTREACH (cont)

• Why and How?
• Focus Public Outreach Goal
• Set Key Messages (AKA Talking Points, Learning
  Objectives)
• Identify and prioritize populations issues they
  represent? Languages, media that reaches them,
  measured assessments other successful programs
• Consider program identification (logo, outreach)

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PUBLIC OUTREACH (cont)

• Tried and Proven Approaches
• PSAs (public service announcements) -free
• Public Access TV shows and Channels
• News Events Releases -free
• Websites and web links
• Brochures (new service, move-ins)
• Reinforce participation badges, bumper
  stickers, yard signs, give-aways like pens
• Recycling directories

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PUBLIC OUTREACH (cont)

• Tours and demonstrations
• Educational Centers
• Paid advertisements
• Look for media events center openings, new
  equipment, awards, milestones--issue news
  releases
• School visits and school curriculum
• Speakers bureau--civic group presentations
• Elected official workshops, events, briefings

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PUBLIC OUTREACH (cont)

• Set up a plan goals, objectives, schedule,
  budget, measurements.
• Measurements
• Participation
• Quality of materials
• Questionnaires
• Surveys

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ANALYZE PRELIMINARY OPTIONS

• Discuss pros and cons
• Identify implementation issues include cost,
  political, quantity obstacles
• Compare to other rural programs and policies
• Verify applicability to service area

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ESTIMATE QUANTITIES (Chaffee County CD 2005)

• Aggregate 1,245 tons
• Wood 1,079 tons
• Roofing 415 tons
• Drywall 291 tons
• Metal 291 tons
• Misc Recyclables 208 tons
• Other 623 tons

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BENCHMARK PROGRAMS (CO Diversion Rates)

• Boulder 30 (03)
• Cortez lt 10 (06)
• Fort Collins 25 (05)
• Grand Junction 6 (02)
• Longmont 26 (05)

• Loveland 52 (02)
• Pitkin County 65 (05)
• Routt/Moffat Counties gt 6 (04)

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RANK PRELIMINARY OPTIONS

• Long-term economic sustainability
• Long-term environmental sustainability
• Support from local government leaders, public and
  staff
• Support form private sector
• Bang for the buck

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TOP FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

• Identify quantities managed
• Identify resource needs
• Identify potential revenues
• Identify policy needs

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IMPLEMENTATION NEEDS

• Funding sources
• Labor and in-kind resources
• Partnership potential
• Phasing in recommendations

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FEATURES KEY TO SWMP

• Develop plan that will work for your community
  not someone elses
• Maximizing partnerships
• Clarifying roles responsibilities
• Prioritizing education outreach
• Creative funding in-kind donations
• Implementation sequencing top recommendations

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• WRAP UP

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• What other solid waste issues are important to
  your community?

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WHAT ELSE?

• Follow-up materials handouts from workshop
• How could this workshop be tweaked to improve its
  value to other managers?
• Stay in touch
• Thanks for your time

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CONTACTS

• Laurie Batchelder Adams
• c/o LBA Associates
• 303-73307943 lbaassoc_at_qwest.net
• Marjie Griek
• 970-435-4053 mgriek_at_aol.net
• Ann Zimmerman
• c/o Ann Zimmerman Associates
• 435-654-4646 zimfolks_at_sprynet.com