1. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions A Comprehensive Review of Sykesvilles Solid Waste & Recycling Collection Operations Presented by: Brad R. Dyjak, Intern In Collaboration with: Matthew Candland, Town Manager Ronald Esworthy, Director of Public Works

2. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Mission Sykesvilles Public Works Department strives to collect solid waste in an efficient and professional manner with the express aim to minimize the impact on the environment.

3. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Goals 1. Reduce the tonnage of solid waste produced by residents 2. Increase amount of waste recycled 3. Promote cost equity for service provided 4. Finance rapidly rising tipping fees in more sustainable manner

4. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Motto While Sykesville has made great strides in bolstering its recycling efforts, we need to do more to… REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE!

5. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Reviewing instead of Reacting Therefore, it became necessary to review the Towns current plans for dealing with municipal solid waste (MSW) in order to be PROACTIVE

6. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Current Situation In 2008, Carroll County will dispose of 265,000 tons of MSW In 2008, Carroll County will dispose of 265,000 tons of MSW About 64,000 tons will be recycled About 64,000 tons will be recycled 90% of MSW will be transported 190 miles to a landfill in Virginia 90% of MSW will be transported 190 miles to a landfill in Virginia Sykesville contributes 1,360 tons of residential MSW p/yr Sykesville contributes 1,360 tons of residential MSW p/yr

7. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Current Situation County Landfill charges $61 for each ton of trash dumped County Landfill charges $61 for each ton of trash dumped Last years tipping fees cost the Town nearly $100,000 Last years tipping fees cost the Town nearly $100,000 –$79,000 for Residential Fuel costs were $13,000 Fuel costs were $13,000 Average household in Sykesville generates Average household in Sykesville generates 1.36 TONS of waste p/yr 1.36 TONS of waste p/yr This translates into approx 3 lbs p/person p/day This translates into approx 3 lbs p/person p/day

8. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Current Situation Recycling Participation in Town is: Recycling Participation in Town is:70% Annual Tonnage of Residential MSW Annual Tonnage of Residential MSW1,360 Annual Tonnage Recycled (in addition to MSW) Annual Tonnage Recycled (in addition to MSW)379 Percentage of Materials Recycled: Percentage of Materials Recycled:21.78%

9. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Overview of Operations Weekly collection of trash Weekly collection of trash Friday collection of recyclables Friday collection of recyclables All trash loads taken to Northern Landfill (acts as transfer station) All trash loads taken to Northern Landfill (acts as transfer station)

10. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Overview of Benefits Waste Management is contracted by County to transport majority of waste to Virginia Waste Management is contracted by County to transport majority of waste to Virginia Recyclables transported to sorting facility in Howard County Recyclables transported to sorting facility in Howard County –NO Tipping Fee incurred by Town As of last year, Single Stream Recycling As of last year, Single Stream Recycling –Allows for greater ease

11. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Overview of Operations Towns Solid Waste Collection operation is entirely funded through property tax which goes into General Fund for disbursal by Council each year Towns Solid Waste Collection operation is entirely funded through property tax which goes into General Fund for disbursal by Council each year Most residents are unaware of the actual cost of collection Most residents are unaware of the actual cost of collection –Labor + Collection + Transportation –$238,500 p/y ( $208,000 strictly MSW )

12. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Solution Considerations Mandatory Recycling Ordinances Mandatory Recycling Ordinances Increasing types of recyclables accepted Increasing types of recyclables accepted Limiting amount of waste collected Limiting amount of waste collected Restricting certain materials from collection Restricting certain materials from collection Greater Educational Efforts on Recycling Greater Educational Efforts on Recycling Connecting individuals to their impact Connecting individuals to their impact

13. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Concept of Variable Rate Collection Over 7,000 communities nationwide have adopted a variable rate system Over 7,000 communities nationwide have adopted a variable rate system "Economics, Environment, Equity! "Economics, Environment, Equity! Structure whereby residents take responsibility for their waste Structure whereby residents take responsibility for their waste Creates a consciousness of residents' waste output Creates a consciousness of residents' waste output A proven program endorsed by the EPA and various municipal organizations A proven program endorsed by the EPA and various municipal organizations

14. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Concept of Variable Rate Collection Aims to reduce waste generated, and simultaneously increase recycling Aims to reduce waste generated, and simultaneously increase recycling Residents use either bags, bins, or tags authorized by Town Residents use either bags, bins, or tags authorized by Town Purchased ahead of curbside pickup Purchased ahead of curbside pickup –Not subject to sales tax

15. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Concept of Variable Rate Collection Town responsible for procurement of bags, bins, or tags Town responsible for procurement of bags, bins, or tags Distribution through Town House and various area merchants Distribution through Town House and various area merchants Sticker attached by DPW personnel to any non-conforming bag or bin that is not collected Sticker attached by DPW personnel to any non-conforming bag or bin that is not collected

16. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Benefits of Variable Rate Collection Significantly Reduces amount of waste generated Significantly Reduces amount of waste generated –Creates financial incentive to review waste habits –Direct correlation in increasing recycling rates Rewards residents who produce less waste and recycle Rewards residents who produce less waste and recycle

17. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Benefits of Variable Rate Collection Residents will identify ways to purchase recyclable materials or adaptively reuse items Residents will identify ways to purchase recyclable materials or adaptively reuse items Decrease in MSW tonnage produced = Decrease in tipping fees incurred Decrease in MSW tonnage produced = Decrease in tipping fees incurred Equitable financing of service cost burden Equitable financing of service cost burden

18. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Benefits of Variable Rate Collection Promotes environmentally sound policy Promotes environmentally sound policy –Less waste to pollute landfills Maintains competitive pricing with contracted private haulers Maintains competitive pricing with contracted private haulers –Still significantly lower cost than County residents pay

19. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Cost Comparisons (p/y) Town vs. Carroll County Private Haulers (2007) Allied Waste Area Refuse Service Carroll County Waste Services Hughes Trash Removal Town of Sykesville $286 No yard waste services $284 (up 30%-03) Additional for bulk & yard waste $270 (up 21%-03) Additional for bulk & yard waste $264 (up 27%-03) Additional for bulk & yard waste $238*Incl. Yard Waste & Bulk

20. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Drawbacks of Variable Rate Collection Initial public skepticism and confusion Initial public skepticism and confusion Up front starting costs Up front starting costs –Costs of bags/bins/tags –Educational campaign materials Potential for illegal dumping as alternative to paying for disposal Potential for illegal dumping as alternative to paying for disposal Administration and Enforcement Administration and Enforcement

21. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Case Studies on VRC Numerous communities of varying sizes have implemented VRC Numerous communities of varying sizes have implemented VRC Large cities such as: Large cities such as: –San Jose, CA –Fort Collins, CO –Norfolk, VA –Vancouver, WA Focus on Regional VRC Cases Focus on Regional VRC Cases

22. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Case Studies on VRC Poquoson, VA Poquoson, VA Population: 11,811 Population: 11,811 Started: 1992 Started: 1992 Tag system - converted to bins in 2007 Tag system - converted to bins in 2007 Consistent reduction in MSW tonnage produced Consistent reduction in MSW tonnage produced Combined with aggressive, mandatory recycling program Combined with aggressive, mandatory recycling program Problem with some residents placing bags in commercial dumpsters Problem with some residents placing bags in commercial dumpsters Leader in recycling rate & participation rate in region Leader in recycling rate & participation rate in region

23. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Case Studies on VRC Pennsylvania Pennsylvania 211 municipalities participate in VRC 211 municipalities participate in VRC Encouraged and partially subsidized by commonwealth Encouraged and partially subsidized by commonwealth Initiated to combat the rising amounts of MSW in landfills as PA is a net IMPORTER of waste Initiated to combat the rising amounts of MSW in landfills as PA is a net IMPORTER of waste Needed to give incentive to reduce Needed to give incentive to reduce Numerous variations of VRC Numerous variations of VRC 55% also enforce mandatory recycling 55% also enforce mandatory recycling 12% collect MSW in-house vs. contracted hauler 12% collect MSW in-house vs. contracted hauler

24. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Case Studies on VRC Perkasie Borough, PA Perkasie Borough, PA Pop: 8,828 Pop: 8,828 Started: 1988 Started: 1988 Tag system Tag system In-house refuse collection In-house refuse collection 59% REDUCTION of MSW first year after VRC introduced 59% REDUCTION of MSW first year after VRC introduced 2007 Recycling rate = 43% (County Leader) 2007 Recycling rate = 43% (County Leader) Newsletters & Brochures promoting VRC & recycling Newsletters & Brochures promoting VRC & recycling

25. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Case Studies on VRC Penn Township, PA Penn Township, PA Pop: 15,000 Pop: 15,000 Started: 1992 Started: 1992 Bag system Bag system Bags sold in 12 area merchants at $3.25 each (limit 35lbs) Bags sold in 12 area merchants at $3.25 each (limit 35lbs) Self-sustaining rate structure Self-sustaining rate structure Radio, PTA announcements Radio, PTA announcements While there has been a 55% increase in population since 1992, 20% reduction in tons While there has been a 55% increase in population since 1992, 20% reduction in tons

26. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Case Studies on VRC Penn Township MSW in Relation to Population

27. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Case Studies on VRC Maryland Maryland Only one municipality has adopted a VRC Only one municipality has adopted a VRC Charles County has used a similar program by requiring bags to be tagged if brought to landfill Charles County has used a similar program by requiring bags to be tagged if brought to landfill Experiments w/ VRC in Montgomery County & Mt. Airy Experiments w/ VRC in Montgomery County & Mt. Airy Since most of MSW in Maryland is either burned in WTE Plants or hauled out of state, there has been little impetus to adopt a VRC Since most of MSW in Maryland is either burned in WTE Plants or hauled out of state, there has been little impetus to adopt a VRC

28. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Case Studies on VRC Aberdeen Aberdeen Pop: 14,000 Pop: 14,000 Started: 1993 Started: 1993 Tag system Tag system Only municipality in MD to utilize VRC Only municipality in MD to utilize VRC Recycling rate increased 41% and MSW decreased 24% in year following VRC Recycling rate increased 41% and MSW decreased 24% in year following VRC Recycling Leader in Harford County Recycling Leader in Harford County

29. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Case Studies on VRC Aberdeen MSW in Relation to Population

30. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Case Studies on VRC Mount Airy Mount Airy 2000 Study on VRC by Sanitation & Recycling Commission 2000 Study on VRC by Sanitation & Recycling Commission Recommended against adopting VRC Recommended against adopting VRC Since Mt. Airy contracts their MSW & recycling collection, VRC was deemed too difficult to implement Since Mt. Airy contracts their MSW & recycling collection, VRC was deemed too difficult to implement VRC was also considered too confusing to residents due to recent changes in recycling and waste policy VRC was also considered too confusing to residents due to recent changes in recycling and waste policy Final recommendation was to enforce mandatory recycling w/ transparent bags & to increase recycling education Final recommendation was to enforce mandatory recycling w/ transparent bags & to increase recycling education

31. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Summary of Lessons 1.Combine VRC w/ enhanced recycling efforts for maximum impact 2.Allow plenty of time to educate and involve residents in process (4-6 mos) 3.Augment current recycling services 4.Continue elementary school recycling outreach programs

32. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Diagnosis of Current Trends Catalysts for Change 1.Towns recycling rate, while not paltry, has stagnated 2.Participation in curbside residential recycling is at best, only 70% 3.As the county investigates more efficient waste management, it is imperative that the Town take the lead on its own level

33. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Diagnosis of Current Trends 4.Our current model places an undue burden on those who consciously reduce their waste and produce less than their neighbors, whereby they essentially subsidize the disposal of a more wasteful neighbor 5.There is little economic incentive or reward to increase recycling 6.Fuel costs for transporting waste to landfill have outpaced projections

34. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Diagnosis of Current Trends 7.While tipping fees have continually increased, the Towns revenue dedicated to solid waste collection has not kept pace. 8.Tipping fees are anticipated to increase substantially by July 1st by 23 % to $75p/t and will most likely be raised again in the upcoming years.

35. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Projected Tipping Fees (p/ton)

36. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Projected Tipping Fee Costs to Town Fiscal Year Annual Residential Tipping Fees @ Current MSW Output 2008$83,000 2009$102,000 2010$107,500 2011$113,000 2012$118,400 2013$123,800

37. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Projected Tipping Fee Costs to Town

38. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Opportunity Knocks… The Town has a unique opportunity to control these factors as it is the only municipality in the County to operate its own collection system.

39. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Prognosis of Operations Therefore, with each of these factors considered, the Towns current system for solid waste and recycling collection is… UNSUSTAINABLE!

40. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Prescription for Sustainable Solutions Recommendations: Recommendations: 1.Adoption of a Variable Rate Collection System which finances tipping fee costs, while property tax continues to fund labor & hauling costs 2.Increasing recycling services offered to residents 3.Order larger capacity recycling bins to replace old bins as needed 4.Continue Recycling education –both adults & children

41. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Goals Revisited 1. Reduce the tonnage of solid waste produced by residents 2. Increase amount of waste recycled 3. Promote cost equity for service provided 4. Finance rapidly rising tipping fees in more sustainable manner Adopt a competitive VRC structure promoting incentives to recycle Adopt a competitive VRC structure promoting incentives to recycle Education & Enhancing services Education & Enhancing services Create a VRC pricing that permits residents to control their expenditure Create a VRC pricing that permits residents to control their expenditure Reduce MSW tonnage & recuperate a fair cost from VRC fees Reduce MSW tonnage & recuperate a fair cost from VRC fees

42. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Enhancing Services Enhance recycling program Enhance recycling program –Potential tire recycling –Curbside pickup of batteries, electronics –Grasscycling/ additional yard waste Additional Cleanup day in November Additional Cleanup day in November Recycling & Composting Education Recycling & Composting Education

43. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Implementation Issues Bags v. Bins v. Tags ? Bags v. Bins v. Tags ? –Bags are most efficient & effective –Bags control amount of waste placed –Prevents the uneven sizes of bins/cans –Less expensive than uniformed bins –Easier to enforce and collect than tags –Low likelihood of being counterfeited –Convenience to residents

44. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Implementation Costs 85,000 bags p/y x $0.20 p/b = $17,000 annually 85,000 bags p/y x $0.20 p/b = $17,000 annually Recycling bins @ $8 p/b = $8,000 Recycling bins @ $8 p/b = $8,000 Educational brochures Educational brochures Workshop flyers Workshop flyers Allot set amt. of free bags for first yr Allot set amt. of free bags for first yr –Permit a Grace Period for initial mos. Total startup = $33,000 Total startup = $33,000 –All to be recuperated

45. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Implementation Issues Pricing of bags Pricing of bags Price p/ 50lb bag Costs Covered 2008-09 Revenue $0.95 79% of tipping fees $80,000 $1.20 100% of tipping fees $102,000 $1.40 Tipping fees + cost of bags $119,000

46. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Implementation Schedule (1/2) March 8Mayor & Council Retreat Present Framework for VRC, Establish Timeline March 10Mayor & Council Meeting Create Brochures to advertise VRC Workshops in A,M,J MarchElementary Schools Classroom Recycling Outreach Recycling Poster Contest w/ James Fleming April 14Mayor & Council Meeting First VRC Workshop April 22Poster Contest Deadline Judge Posters, Award Prizes, School Presentation April 1.Flyer summarizing April Workshop & advertising May 2.Continue Classroom Outreach May 12Mayor & Council Meeting Workshop 2 May 1.Flyer summarizing May Workshop & advertising June 2.Include recycling tips in flyer 3.Identify manufacturers for bags 4.Solicit area merchants for sale of bags 5.Draft Ordinance & Fee schedule for June meeting

47. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Implementation Schedule (2/2) June 9Mayor & Council Meeting 1.Final Workshop 2.Introduction of VRC Ordinance by Council June 1.Flyer advertising public hearing on VRC Ordinance at July meeting July 14Mayor & Council Meeting 1.Public Hearing on VRC Ordinance 2.Motion to Adopt Ordinance following public comment July/August 1.Advertising Campaign for VRC program 2.Place Request for Bids on bags 3.Finalize merchant participants & advertise them in newsletter 4.Procure bags, distribute to merchants & Town House September 2**Implementation on Trash Route** ***Variable Rate Collection Begins***

48. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Summary of Opportunities for Public Input & Outreach 1. Three Public Workshops (3) 2. Two Public Hearings (2) 3. Four flyer mailings to all town households (4) 4. Article/Advertisement in Newsletter 5. Recycling Poster Competition 6. Recycling Education

49. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! Finding a sustainable solution to our solid waste issues is certainly a challenge, and adapting to a variable rate collection will no doubt pose challenges as well.

50. Sustainable Solid Waste Solutions! However, this is an opportunity for the entire town to collaborate to have lasting tangible impact. Therefore, we encourage all residents to solicit their input throughout the process to make this a success!