Single-Stream Recycling in Broward County: Fall 2011 Update

Presented to the Broward County Climate Change Task Force

By Phil Bresee, Recycling Program Manager, Broward County

December 1, 2011

Background & Overview Cities provide for “municipal solid waste”

(MSW) and recycling collection services All 31 Broward cities provide some level

of residential recycling service Commercial MSW collected by private haulers

– most with exclusive franchise agreements Large construction and demolition debris

collection and processing infrastructure Broward County’s Solid Waste and Recycling

Services (or SWRS – part of Public Works Dept.) administers recyclables processing contract on behalf of 26 Resource Recovery System cities

SWRS manages other programs and services for cities, County agencies, the Broward County School Board

SWRS also collects & analyzes MSW data and trends; responsible for reporting to FDE

Broward County Climate Change Action Plan Recycling Goals:

RZ-2.1: Fully implement single-stream recycling.

To include roll-out cartsRZ-2.2: Achieve 50% recycling rate in collaboration with cities.

Implement recycling rewards programs (RecycleBank)

Improve recycling at multifamily communities

Green waste collections from residences E-Cycling drop-off network Increase business, institutional and C&D

recyclingAll actions ranked “High” by CCTF.

The Evolution of Curbside Recycling…

Photo courtesy of City of Minneapolis

Program Recyclables• Paper - newspaper, inserts, catalogs,

magazines, junk mail, office paper, soft-covered books, file folders, soda cartons and flattened cereal, tissue, rice and pasta boxes

• Plastic containers – narrow-neck only such as bottles, milk, water, detergent and shampoo containers

• Glass - food and beverage containers• Aluminum and steel food and

beverage containers• Cardboard - from non-food items such

as shipping boxes• Milk/juice cartons and drink boxes

Technology Makes Sorting Possible

Materials Recovery Facility (a.k.a. MRFs) technology greatly improved

Recyclables processed using screens, trommels, optical sorting, eddy currents, etc.

Staff still needed to pull some materials, QA/QC, maintenance, etc. Residue rates decreasing (<10%)

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

January 2009MRF contract amendment. Begin workshops for cities

February 2010Hollywood begins single-stream recycling with carts

April 2008Parkland single-stream startup

October 2009Official single-stream startup

Single-Stream Timeline

March 2010Coconut Creek begins single-stream recycling with carts

Fall 2010Collections efficiencies workshops for RRS cities

January 2011West Park begins single-stream recycling with carts

June 2011Single-stream grant program begins

Phased-in Approach: MRF contract allows for dual-

stream and single-stream recyclables

Residents with traditional 2-bin program advised to mix all recyclables in both containers

Allows cities and residents flexibility and options

Has allowed cities to rebid or renegotiate hauling contracts

Program outreach focus on zero-sort vs. cart

Results To Date: All cities collecting recyclables

single-stream 16% increase in residential

recyclables since FY 2009; further increases in FY 2012

County agencies and School Board recycling programs up by 30% and 25% since FY 2009

Six cities (70,000+ households) have transitioned to automated pickup/roll-out carts

Recyclables revenues to cities have remained stable ($58.50 per ton for FY 2012) FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY

2012*

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

Residential Recyclables Tons Per Year

* FY 2012 budget projection

Carts are Key Wheels make it easier to recycle New carts have RFID tags for future

recycling rewards program (e.g. RecycleBank™)

Standard carts (64 or 96 gal.) hold 2-3 x more recyclables than two 18 gallon recycling bins

Footprint of carts equal to 18 gallon bin

Lids keep materials dry and prevent litter

Lower collection costs Broward cities with carts are

collecting an average of 35% more recyclables

Bins programs Carts-based programs

050

100150200250300350400450

Recyclables Per Household Per Year (in lbs.)

Broward County Resource Recovery System Recycling Grants Program Unprecedented $20 million investment for

cities from RRS reserves Eligible expenses:

Roll-out carts purchases (direct or through franchise hauler; for single-family and multifamily communities

Program upgrades (e.g. incentive programs, public place recycling)

Capital equipment (trucks, roll-offs, retrofits)

Program outreach Professional services/reports related to

increasing recycling Seven RRS cities have applied for $ to-date $9.1 million as of 12/1/2011 (approximately

$7 million towards recycling carts)

What’s Next? Additional 100-120,000 homes move

to carts in FY 2012 County developing new Request for

Proposal for MRF services. Add additional recyclables Cities can lead through new contract

approaches, ordinances, etc. 1x week garbage pickup? Green waste collection? “Pay as You Throw”?

Change Broward County’s MSW management paradigm

Achieve State’s recycling & diversion goals

2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 20200%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

75% Goal

Closing Thoughts Solid waste’s impact on GHG

emissions underestimated…

Recycling is a “low-hanging fruit” for GHG reductions: Uses infrastructure already in place…

“Gateway” to other positive environmental behaviors…

Contact: prbresee@broward.orgWebsite: www.broward.org/WasteAndRecycling/Recycling

Prov. of Goods29%

Prov. of Food

13%

Appli-ances/

Devices8%

Building HVAC & Lighting

25%

Local Transport15%

Other Transport9%

Infrastruc-ture1%

U.S. GHG Emissions – “Systems-Based”

42% of GHG emissions from “stuff”