17. PRIVATE SECTOR RECYCLING
The separation and collection of private sector waste materials from the municipal waste stream for the purpose of recycling or reuse into usable or marketable materials for use other than landfill disposal or incineration.
17.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter of the Douglas County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (DCCSWMP) outlines the regulatory framework overseeing private sector recycling, discusses the existing conditions and programs within the Regional Planning Area (RPA), establishes objectives to meet the existing and projected needs, identifies alternatives, and recommends actions for achieving the established objectives.
17.2 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
17.2.1 Federal Requirements
Federal regulations do not require the private sector to recycle. But, as with any non-hazardous solid waste, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) emphasizes recycling, reclaiming or reuse whenever possible and when markets are available.
17.2.2 State Requirements
Chapter 70.95 RCW requires local governments to develop and implement solid waste management plans which establish programs for solid waste handling, and solid waste recovery and/or recycling which will prevent land, air, and water pollution and conserve the natural, economic, and energy resources of the state.
17.3 EXISTING CONDITIONS
17.3.1 Education
An education program has been in place since 1993 to inform the private sector of the local opportunities to recycle. The program utilizes primarily posters, fact sheets, brochures and direct communications. The Douglas County Solid Waste Program Office (DCSWPO) has provided posters, fact sheets and brochures to private businesses throughout the RPA. A resource center is also available to businesses at the DCSWPO. The resource center contains books, publications and other informational material that could help a business to determine if they want to implement a recycling program, identify the benefits and difficulties of a recycling program, and provide illustrations of similar recycling programs.
17.3.2 Technical Assistance
The DCSWPO also provides technical assistance to businesses wishing to start a recycling program or wishing to know where to recycle a specific waste. The DCSWPO does conduct, at the businesse's request, waste audits which identify what the business is actually throwing away, what portion of the waste volume can be diverted and what the possible cost savings to recycle would be.
Table 17-1 Evaluation of Private Sector Alternative
|
Program |
Diversion |
Technical |
Cost- |
|
|
Potential |
Feasibility |
Effectiveness |
|
Encourage businesses to |
Low |
Low |
Low |
|
use drop off sites |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contract with private |
High. Corrugated cardboard and |
High |
High |
|
Recycler |
high-grade paper are a high |
|
|
|
|
percent of the waste stream. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Establish a county- |
High |
Medium. More difficult to |
Medium |
|
franchise system |
|
administer. Businesses may |
|
|
|
|
resent government |
|
|
|
|
involvement. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recycling program for |
High |
Medium. More difficult to |
Medium |
|
small businesses |
|
coordinate and administer. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source: Bill Tinney II |
|
|
|
17.3.3 Recycling Programs
The largest private sector recyclers within the RPA are grocery stores and mini-marts, followed by restaurants. A number of large retailers also recycle, though they are primarily centered in or around the Greater East Wenatchee Area. Some warehouses have implemented recycling programs, though most dispose of all of their waste into the waste stream.
Within the Greater East Wenatchee Area, Waste Management of Greater Wenatchee (WMGW), in conjunction with the DCSWPO has implemented a corrugated cardboard collection program. Under this program, a business can have a corrugated cardboard collection bin dropped off and serviced by WMGW for a small fee. The corrugated cardboard collection bin is a modified ten-yard dumpster and is serviced by WMGW on an as-needed basis. All corrugated cardboard is required to be broken-down prior to being placed into the corrugated cardboard collection container. This program normally allows the business to downsize their existing dumpster, and even with the additional small fee, save on their traditional commercial disposal fee.
Figure 17-1 Distribution of Source Separated Materials in 1999
* Thirty-seven businesses were polled to see what type of materials they recycled, many recycled more than one item per business. Percentages represent material / total materials. In the case of "None" these businesses do not have recycling programs in place.
Source: Bill Tinney II
17.3.4 Collection Programs
Plastic Shopping Sacks (HDPE & LDPE)
Several grocery and retail stores collect and recycle plastic shopping sacks. All plastic sacks must be empty and clean in order to be collected.
Ni-Cad Batteries
The GTE Phone Mart and Sears located in East Wenatchee, accepts Ni-Cad batteries. Only Ni-Cad batteries are accepted, and they must be completely discharged prior to being collected.
Styrofoam Peanuts
Mail Boxes, Etc., located in East Wenatchee, accepts styrofoam peanuts. The peanuts should be brought to the store in a clear plastic bag.
Toner Cartridges
Computerland located in East Wenatchee, accepts Hewlett Packard toner cartridges. Only toner cartridges manufactured by Hewlett Packard are accepted, and must me in their original container.
17.4 OBJECTIVES
17.4.1 Emphasize Education Over Regulation
With the private sector already burdened with countless federal, state and local regulations the emphasis should be on educating the public sector on the benefits of waste reduction and recycling rather than forcing them to develop and implement recycling programs.
17.4.2 Ensure Rates to Maximize Incentives to Reduce Waste Disposal
With the collection and disposal of solid waste within the RPA being relatively inexpensive as compared to what the rest of the state pays, it is imperative that the landfill capacity of the Greater Wenatchee Regional Landfill (GWRLF) be sustained for as long as possible. This can be achieved by reducing the volume of private sector waste that is disposed of within the RPA. It has been proven that generators of waste, if charged by what they actually throw away verses a flat volume rate, will reduce their waste disposal through either waste reduction measures, reuse, recycling or waste diversion. By implementing a pay-as-you-throw or variable can rate structure, those that reduce, recycle or divert their waste are provided an incentive to do so.
17.4.3 Ensure that Programs Reflect Local Conditions
With the tendency of regulatory agencies to have a one-size-fits-all approach, it is imperative that all programs be locally supported and accepted. Because of the rural character of Douglas County and its cities and towns, all programs should reflect conditions and markets that exist locally and not be driven by what the Department of Ecology (DOE) deems efficient or cost effective.
17.4.4 Ensure the Private Sector Has an Opportunity to Recycle
With federal and state regulations emphasizing recycling, reclaiming or reuse whenever possible, and with possible disposal costs savings due to recycling, it is important that the private sector have convenient and economical recycling opportunities available. Failure to provide such an opportunity will only accelerate the filling and eventual closure of the regional landfill, leading to other disposal options and higher disposal rates.
17.4.5 Establish a Private Sector Recycling Diversion Goal
It is the goal of the DCCSWMP to divert ten percent of private sector wastes from the RPA waste stream.
17.5 ALTERNATIVES
17.5.1 Ban all Designated Recyclables from the GWRLF
Another way to increase source-separated recycling is to prohibit the disposal of designated materials, such as corrugated cardboard or waste that has not been sorted for recyclables. One problem associated with disposal bans is illegal dumping of the banned material. Therefore, an important component of a disposal ban is the development of alternative handling or disposal methods. For example, if corrugated cardboard disposal is banned from the solid waste stream, a corrugated cardboard collection and recycling facility must be available, convenient and reasonably priced to accommodate the diverted material.
17.5.2 Establish Rate Structures that Maximize Incentives to Recycle
A financial incentive that can have an even greater impact on the amount of recyclables collected is to ensure that rate structures maximize incentives to recycle. By establishing a system in which businesses can pay less for the amount of solid waste they generate, businesses would be prodded into recycling more of the items that they would regularly throw away. By establishing higher rates for solid waste collection and lower rates for recycling, it would be financially beneficial for businesses to source-separate their wastes and recycle. If they choose to still throw away items that could be recycled, they would end up paying more for the service than if they were to recycle the same items.
17.5.3 Encourage Utilization of Existing Recycling Opportunities
Businesses can request recycling service from their local carrier(s). In order for these local carriers to collect recyclable materials from non-residential sources, they must either possess a Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC)-granted common carrier or contract carrier operating authority or be involved in hauling that is classified as private carriage. To simplify the search for a recycler and save time, a referral system connecting businesses with recyclers of a particular commodity could be provided by the DCSWPO.
17.5.4 Promote Use of Community Recycling Centers
With existing Community Recycling Centers (CRCs) located in the Cities of Bridgeport and Rock Island, and the towns of Mansfield and Waterville, the DCSWPO should encourage businesses to divert their recyclables to these centers. The DCSWPO should develop and distribute posters, brochures and flyers promoting the hours of operation, location, and materials that can be collected at the CRCs. The DCSWPO should also develop and conduct an education program utilizing radio spots, small informational pieces within the newspaper, advertising and informational meetings throughout the RPA, illustrating the benefits, cost savings and diversion potential of the CRCs.
17.5.5 Develop a Private Sector Recognition Program
The participating jurisdictions could implement a private sector recognition and awards program for businesses with successful source-separated recycling programs. These awards should be publicized. Businesses receiving this recognition could also let their customers know of their achievements through advertisements or by display of their award on the premises.
17.5.6 Develop a Private Sector Recycling Technical Assistance Program
The private sector could develop in-house recycling programs, and implement waste reduction measures, as they are applicable. By carefully monitoring their waste generation and their waste stream disposal, businesses could implement diversion programs that could save the business substantial disposal costs. Prior to the implementation of a waste reduction and recycling program, a waste audit should be conducted. Upon request, the DCSWPO would conduct a waste audit of the business' waste stream to determine what is currently being generated, what is being disposed of, what materials could be recycled or diverted, what processing would be needed to market the materials and what cost savings could be sustained by diversion of the materials from the waste stream.
To ensure the program's continued success, employees need to receive regular updates about new waste reduction and recycling techniques. This information could be provided to them by the DCSWPO. The DCSWPO could hold annual workshops, conduct site visits or prepare information fact sheets. In addition, the DCSWPO could conduct training sessions to employees on a paid basis to learn about waste reduction and recycling in their particular setting.
17.5.7 Develop a Private Sector Recycling Education Program
The private sector should continue to expand their employee education and awareness program. The public sector could sponsor employee contests, conduct special events, recognize outstanding programs and individuals and give out promotional materials. The DCSWPO could conduct recycled product workshops, alternative product trade shows, develop and distribute brochures, set up waste reduction and recycling exhibits and other similar events. The DCSWPO could assist the private sector in a number of ways to identify, research and implement recycling education opportunities. Such programs could be targeted at the private sector in general or could be tailored to a specific business. Part of the DCSWPO private sector education program should include maintaining information about waste exchanges and products with recycled material content.
17.5.8 Monitor and Track Private Sector Recycling
The DCSWPO needs to monitor and track all private sector recycling to determine what type and volume of commercial waste is being diverted. Without knowing these basic facts, it is impossible to determine how effective the private sector recycling program is within the RPA. Therefore, the DCSWPO should establish a data tracking program to monitor and track all private sector recycling within the RPA annually.
17.6 RECOMMENDATIONS
17.6.1 Encourage Utilization of Existing Recycling Opportunities
17.6.2 Promote Use of Community Recycling Centers
17.6.3 Implement a Private Sector Recognition Program
17.6.4 Implement a Private Sector Recycling Technical Assistance Program
17.6.5 Monitor and Track Private Sector Recycling