Curbside Recycling: Home. Work. Play. Kate Bailey, June 2016

Where are we going today? What is universal recycling Why it matters Three policy options How to make it happen Current market challenges

One of first 20 communities with curbside recycling

Who is Eco-Cycle? Boulder, CO since employees 55,000 tons/year “Zero Waste Social Enterprise” EducationCollection InfrastructureAdvocacy

VISION: Opportunity to recycle. Every one, every day. On the goBusinessApartment SchoolHouseGovernment

What is Universal Recycling? Phased approach Does not require participation Recycling bin next to every trash can Opportunity for everyone to recycle

Why Recycling. Why Now. Start with Why

Why Recycling Why Now Jobs and economic value Environment and health Extend landfill life, manage costs People want it!

Current economic impact of recycling in NE 1600 recycling jobs $74.5 million direct wages $274 million economic impact $10 million in state, local taxes “Enhancing Recycling Services in Nebraska,”

Lost economic opportunities “Nebraska Recycling Study,”

Extend your landfill life Graphic courtesy of Stop Hwy 6 Landfill

#1 thing you can do for the environment “Although it sounds simple, when you see those recycling bins...think of it as a home-grown jobs program, and an environmental program and an energy program and a water program all in one.” Lisa Jackson, EPA Administrator, 2012

People want it Carton Council Survey,

Household barriers to more recycling in NE 26%: no access to curbside recycling23%: too hard to take materials to drop-off15%: community doesn’t offer recycling11%: bins/containers fill up too quickly Center for Applied Rural Innovation,

Convenience is king.

Success breeds success.

It’s an equity issue.

Free market doesn’t deliver. Private subscription service – Low participation rate – Unwilling to pay more Unaccounted costs of trash – Pollution, health risks: $10 per ton – Future costs Public benefits – $120/ton in environmental benefits – Jobs – Public satisfaction

Government needs to get involved.

How does government get involved? City services Hauler contracts Ordinance

Hands-on approach: City-run trucks One charge for service package, recycling automatically included Typically household and/or apartments

Success story: Danvers, MA Population: 26,000 No recycling out, no trash pickup Apartments and homes $43,000 saved in first year

Implementation: City contract Public-private partnership Homes and/or apartments Economies of scale Define terms of services

Success in Nebraska: Murray Population: 500 New trash/recycling contract with private hauler Lower costs: $17/HH to $12/HH Better services: curbside recycling for all residents

Implementation: Municipal ordinance Any hauler offering trash must also provide recycling Great for businesses, apartments Freedom to choose hauler

Success story: Aspen, CO Population: 7000 Apartments, homes & businesses Recycling embedded in costs of services Hauler licensing requirement

How to make it happen

Citizen engagement is crucial

Infrastructure needs DEQ map on equipment, infrastructure and services Regional partnerships Hub and spoke model

Does single-stream recycling make sense? Higher value in dual stream Higher participation in single-stream Balance sorting costs 65% single-stream programs (2010)

Current challenges Global economic factors – Strong U.S. dollar – Low export markets – Low oil prices Changing material stream – Less paper – More plastic Contamination challenges Recycling is not going anywhere! Get latest industry projections: Moore Recycling Associates

Lessons learned & true economics Evaluate over 20 – 30 years, including landfill expansions Plan for bad years, not good Full cost accounting – +$10/ton in landfill “costs” – -$120/ton in recycling “benefits”

Funding options NDEQ: NET: NE State Recycling Association: USDA Rural Development Solid Waste Management Grant: solidwastemanagement.htm solidwastemanagement.htm

Best practices, resources and more ecocyclesolutionshub.org

Stay with us on the road to Zero Waste August 10 th Community Education 101 Kate Bailey, Program Manager ecocyclesolutionshub.org