Recycling Program Consolidation in Wisconsin:A Decision-Making Guide

Prepared for the Bureau of Waste and Materials Management Department of Natural Resources by:

Jon AlfuthAndrew EvensonSylvia Fredericks

Kristina KrullJennifer Vandermeuse

IntroductionConsolidation is the start of a legal agreement such that one new or existing responsible unit of government provides some or all the recycling services previously provided by two or more responsible units of government.

Data Overview

●DNR database of RU cost figures●Personal interviews with experts and RU

staff●Statewide survey to RU staff

Presentation Outline

● Overview ● Changes to the mandate and grant ● Goals of the consolidating ● Why consider consolidation?

● Decision Guide ● Phase One – Services ● Phase Two – Level of Government ● Phase Three – How ● Examples of County Consolidation

● Recommendations and Conclusion ● Recommendations for DNR ● Recommendations for RUs ● Conclusions

Governor Walker’s Budget Proposal

● Governor Walker ● Eliminate the recycling mandates ● Retain landfill bans ● Eliminate state grant

● Legislature ● Retain grant funding ● Retain mandate

● Conclusion

Economic hardship due to a reduction in state grants is likely.

Goals of Consolidation● Efficiency

● Costs ● Economies of Scale ● Equity

● Equity of Services ● Equity of Costs

● Equity of Staff Knowledge and Time ● Feasibility

● Ease of Implementation ● Barriers

● Aids

<2,001

2,001-5,000

5,001-10,000

10,001-50,000

>50,000$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500Unconsolidated RUs

Population Served by Responsible UnitCo

st p

er T

on

<2,001

2,001-5,000

5,001-10,000

10,001-50,000

>50,000$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

Consolidated RUs

Population Served by Responsible Unit

Cost

per

Ton

Ranges of RU Cost per Ton of Recycled Material Collected, 2008

<2,001

2,001-5,000

5,001-10,000

10,001-50,000

>50,000$0

$100

$200

$300

$400

$500

Consolidated RUs

Population Served by Responsible Unit

Cost

per

Ton

<2,001

2,001-5,000

5,001-10,000

10,001-50,000

>50,000$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500Unconsolidated RUs

Population Served by Responsible UnitCo

st p

er T

on

Ranges of RU Cost per Ton of Recycled Material Collected, 2008

Presentation Outline

● Overview ● Changes to the mandate and grant ● Goals of the consolidating ● Why consider consolidation?

● Decision Guide ● Phase One – Services ● Phase Two – Level of Government ● Phase Three – How ● Examples of County Consolidation

● Recommendations and Conclusion ● Recommendations for DNR ● Recommendations for RUs ● Conclusions

Flow Chart of the Consolidation Guide

Administration Education Operations Other Services

Inter-County County Sub-County

Resolution Inter-Government Agreement

Phase One: What

Phase Two: Where

Phase Three: How

Phase One: What Services to Consolidate?

● Operations (e.g., curbside pickup)

● Education (how/where to recycle)

● Administration of programs

● Other (e.g., electronics recycling)

Phase Two: At What Geographic Level to Consolidate?

● Inter-county (across county lines)

● County (at the county level)

● Sub-county (within counties/between municipalities)

Phase Three: How to Legally Consolidate?

● Resolution

● Inter-government Agreement

Examples of County Consolidation

● Waukesha

● Eau Claire

● St. Croix

● Outagamie

Examples of County Consolidation2009 Facts

CountyEau Claire Outagamie St. Croix Waukesha

Population served 101,069 193,270 70,365 273,701

State grant per person $7.43 $4.38 $4.10 $5.22

Cost per ton $231.90 $120.03 $89.56 $138.66Collection and drop-off services

Private; organized by households

Private; organized by county

Private; organized by municipalities

Private; organized by municipalities

Recycled material processing

Organized by private companies

County operates facility with two other counties

Organized by municipalities

County operates facility with private company

Presentation Outline

● Overview ● Changes to the mandate and grant ● Goals of the consolidating ● Why consider consolidation?

● Decision Guide ● Phase One – Services ● Phase Two – Level of Government ● Phase Three – How ● Examples of County Consolidation

● Recommendations and Conclusion ● Recommendations for DNR ● Recommendations for RUs ● Conclusions

RecommendationsDNR

● Facilitate consolidation

● Provide data when unavailable at local level

RecommendationsResponsible Units

● Consider goals, including costs

● Communicate with other RUs

Conclusion● Consolidation could increase

efficiency and equity● Survey indicates it is feasible politically● DNR should actively assist RUs● All RUs should explore potential for

savings from consolidation

Questions?

For further information

Contact the La Follette School’s publications office at 608-263-7657 or publications@lafollette.wisc.edu

The full report and this presentation can be found here:www.lafollette.wisc.edu/publications/workshops.html

Thank you!