To:   HONORABLE MAYOR AND                   From:   Carl W. Mosher

                        CITY COUNCIL

 

   Subject:   RECYCLE PLUS WASTE                          Date:   10-22-03

                        CHARACTERIZATION STUDY  

 

 

COUNCIL DISTRICT: City-Wide

 

 

RECOMMENDATION 

 

Approval of an agreement with R3 Consulting Group Inc. to perform a waste characterization study for the Recycle Plus Program in a total amount not to exceed $220,000, and adoption of a resolution accepting a gift from Norcal Waste Systems as reimbursement for the cost of a portion of the study in an amount not to exceed $80,000.

 

 

BACKGROUND 

 

On July 1, 2002, new Recycle Plus services began citywide.  One of the biggest changes to the system was the introduction of the commingled recycling carts to all single-family residents.  Environmental Services Department (ESD) implemented an extensive public education program to prepare residents for the program change, including the development of a new Recycling Guide that was delivered to all households with the new recycling carts.  Recent customer satisfaction surveys show that San Jose residents overwhelmingly approve the new program:

 

Ø      88% have a favorable opinion of the Recycle Plus program (June 2003 survey)

Ø      44% report that they are recycling more than they did a year ago (June 2003 survey)

Ø      85% think the new program is easier (December 2002 survey)

Ø      89% thought the recycling guide was informative (December 2002 survey)

 

However, despite the positive approval ratings the program has received from residents, issues regarding higher than expected levels of residue from the processing of the materials in the recycling carts have been experienced at one of the program’s material recovery facilities (MRFs).

 

ANALYSIS

 

Norcal and their subcontractor, California Waste Solutions (CWS), have reported residue at the CWS MRF at levels of 30-40% for the first year of the program (July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003).  Historical single stream pilot results (1998-2002) in San Jose and data from other processors who handled Recycle Plus material show residue levels to be considerably below the CWS’s reported amount.  These differences in reported residual have lead to the need for a more scientific examination of the Recycle Plus recycling material. 

 

Staff has been working with Norcal and CWS to reduce the amount of residue at the CWS MRF.  Strategies that have been undertaken include increased education to targeted areas of the City, route audits performed by Norcal to identify carts containing non-recyclable materials, and processing operations improvements at CWS.  Residue level at CWS has improved as the result of the heightened focus on the issue.  CWS has reported an average weekly residue level of approximately 14-16% for September 2003.

 

Residual material represents that material which is landfilled at the conclusion of the recyclables-recovery process.  Residual material typically is incidental garbage or other non-recyclable materials that are collected with the recyclables.  The source of residual material can be attributed to three possible sources:

 

Carts:  Residents could place materials that are not part of the City’s recycling program in the recycling carts that are collected at the curb.

 

Trucks:  The Recycle Plus single family dwelling (SFD) garbage and recycling system implemented in July 1, 2002 employs a “split body” truck to collect garbage and recyclables in a single stop.  The truck has separate recycling and garbage compartments, which the driver selects depending on the type of cart being collected (garbage or recycling cart).  Garbage could be placed into the recycling compartment during on-route collection.

 

Processing Facility:  Recyclable materials delivered to the MRF could be left in the materials rather than extracted during the processing.  If so, they, along with non-recoverable materials, would be included in the residual materials that are transported to the landfill.

 

The proposed waste characterization study will allow the City to gain a better understanding of the recycling material now being collected through the Recycle Plus Program.  Data about recycling stream will be scientifically captured, segregated and categorized to identify the composition of the material at the three points identified above:

 

1)      As placed in the recycling carts by residents.

2)      As delivered to the MRFs by the collection service providers.

3)      As out-going residual leaving the MRF.

 

Methodologies approved by the California Waste Integrated Waste Management Board will be utilized to select samples and categorize materials.  This study will be conducted on a citywide basis in each of the three Recycle Plus collection districts and at both of the MRFs receiving Recycle Plus material. 

 

There are no provisions under the current Recycle Plus agreements that require the contractors to conduct a study of this magnitude.  Each of the affected contractors (Norcal, CWS and GreenTeam) have agreed to participate in the study and will cooperate with R3 staff to implement the study.  All efforts will be made to minimize any negative impacts on collection and processing operations while data collection occurs during the course of this study.  Residents’ collection service will not be impacted in any way during the course of the study.  Sample collection is scheduled to begin on or about October 30, 2003.  It is anticipated that data collection for the study will be completed by November 17, 2003.

 

Results of the study will assist in developing additional strategies to reduce the residue levels of recycling material.  Data could lead to the identification of potential materials or messages that can be highlighted in the City’s public education material or uncover operational measures that may need to be re-evaluated to reduce residual levels.

 

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

This study will be conducted with no impact to residents’ recycling collection.  Data collected through the study will help to shape future Recycle Plus messages and public education activity. 

 

 

COORDINATION

 

This memorandum was coordinated with the City Manager’s Budget Office, and the Office of the City Attorney.

 

 

COST IMPLICATIONS

 

Total cost of this study is estimated at $220,000.  Norcal and CWS requested changes from the original scope envisioned by City staff and Norcal has offered to contribute toward the cost of  that portion of the study in an amount not to exceed $80,000.  Funding in the amount of $220,000 is available in the Integrated Waste Management’s Adopted FY 03-04 Operating Budget. 

 

This recommendation is consistent with the Mayor’s Budget Strategy of focusing to protect our vital core city services. 

 

BUDGET REFERENCE

 

 

Fund #

Appn #

Appn. Name

RC #

Total Appn.

Amt. for Contract

2003-2004

Proposed Operating Budget Page

Last Budget Action

(Date, Ord. No.)

 

423

 

0762

 

Non-personal/ Equipment

 

 

$4,540,662

$220,000

 

191

 

 

 

 

CEQA

 

Not a project.

 

CARL W. MOSHER

Director, Environmental Services Department