Hub and Spoke Recycling Systems in North Carolina NC SWANA Fall Conference Rob Taylor NC Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service

Overview Background Role of the MRF Hub and Spoke – What and Why? Expanding Access, Increasing Efficiency Hub and Spoke Models Closing Thoughts

Background Collection and transportation are the most expensive aspect of recycling Commingling recyclable materials substantially reduces collection cost Commingling advantages: – Increased Participation – Increased Recovery – Enables use of Compaction Commingling Saves Money

Role of the MRF Commingled collection is made possible by Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) Materials are sent to MRFs for processing Not every community has easy access to a MRF

Modern MRFs need a critical mass of local tons that rural areas typically can’t provide (~25,000 TPY) MRFs in North Carolina

Equal Access to MRFs? ‘Fraid Not Large sections of NC don’t have great access to processing Q: What’s a reasonable distance to drive a route truck to a MRF? A: 45 miles? 60 miles? It really depends.

Hub and Spoke System A transfer system for commingled recyclables where materials are consolidated and then hauled to a MRF – Consolidation allows for more efficient transportation – Revenue from sale of materials may partially offset hauling costs

Why Hub and Spoke? Let’s look more closely…

Raleigh Wilson Goldsboro Greenville 53 miles 31 miles 38 miles Just a Bit Too Far for a Route Truck

Why Hub and Spoke Matters: Expands access to materials processing and delivers the benefits of single-stream to areas w/o nearby MRF Allows small and remote communities to implement new recycling programs, increase recovery, and reduce operational costs Allows those communities to become part of the market and enjoy benefits of competition

Hub and Spoke Can Introduce Options = accessible single stream MRF = transferring county = good candidates for transfer Transfer of Recyclables

Known Hub and Spoke Efforts in NC = Private effort = Public Effort

Hub and Spoke: More than One Way… Use existing waste transfer station Create a separate system for recyclables – Recycling “transfer station” using transfer trailers – Consolidate using roll-offs (uncompacted) – Consolidate using compacting roll-offs – Bale and haul in van trailers Pros and cons of each option, with many variations Take a quick look at examples in NC

Through Waste Transfer Station If single bay, potential challenges coordinating with waste transfer Could create storage area for holding materials while managing MSW If two bay, could allocate a bay to recycling (e.g. Rutherford County) Talk to DWM, update Operational Plan

Wilson County, NC – dedicated recycling transfer system Requires substantial capital investment Avoids conflict with waste operations No state permit required*

Orange County, NC - Dedicated Recycling Transfer System Using Transfer Trailers

Consolidate Using Roll-offs (un-compacted) Trucks dump directly into roll-offs Potential challenges with overflow Lower payloads, thus less efficient transportation Cheapest option for small volumes and access to roll-off truck

Same site as previous slide seen from below

Using Compacting Roll-offs with Hopper to Receive Materials Need large capacity hopper to avoid slow dumping process Can be challenge with compactor cycle times Can haul with “Pup Trailer” to increase efficiency

Bale and Ship Need strong baler and MRF willing to accept baled materials Material value likely to be downgraded Loading dock is desirable

Other Thoughts Use consolidation point as an opportunity to QC materials and remove obvious contaminants Try to keep materials dry (more value to system) Partner with other programs to maximize efficiencies and share benefits

Thank You! Rob Taylor, NC DENR Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service