Charrette Small Group Session Friday, January :30 am 12:00 pm

Transcription

1 Expand Mandatory Business Recycling Ordinance Charrette Small Group Session Friday, January 27 th 10:30 am 12:00 pm

2 Current Source Separation Ordinance Effective January 1, 2002 and Amended April The regulation requires that business entities which contract for 16 cubic yards or greater per week of garbage service must separate corrugated cardboard and/or office paper from the rest of their garbage for recycling.

3 Current Source Separation Ordinance Exemptions If a business contracts with a Certified Mixed Waste Processor, which h will do the sorting for the business. If a business generates less than 500 pounds of corrugated cardboard per month, it does not have to separate corrugated cardboard. If a business generates less than 500 pounds of office paper per month, it does not have to separate office paper. Source separation is not required if doing business from a temporary location. If physical space constraints preclude the business entity from complying. If the ordinance would require them to violate other codes or regulations. If no collection or processing system exists.

4 Commercial Waste is Nearly Half the Waste Stream Tons Disposed in FY % 18% 35% Residential Commercial C&D Source: NC DENR Solid Waste Management Annual Report Mecklenburg County Waste Disposal Report dated December 16, 2011

5 Discussion Strategies Study 1: Recycling Study Targeting Small Businesses in Mecklenburg County, Increase enforcement activities, including assessing some fines to reenergize compliance by those programs already covered by the program. Lower the Established Threshold for the Ordinance to 8 cubic yards contracted garbage service weekly. Study 2: Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Reduction Study, 2011 Lower the Established threshold to 8 cubic yards per week of refuse. Reduce or eliminate the 500 pound per month exemption rule for paper. One option would be to lower the exemption to between 100 and 200 pounds per month to reduce the impact on businesses that generate paper only as an ancillary activity particularly non retail and wholesale businesses. Add bottles and cans to the SSO ordinance Sources: 2008 Small Business Study by Skumatz Economic Research Associates Inc.; 2011 Mecklenburg County Economic and Environmental Impacts of Select Changes to SSO

6 Discussion Strategies Mandatory Food Waste Composting Free Collection Styrofoam ban for restaurants Food service containers must be recyclable or compostable Recycling Plan for businesses Franchising commercial haulers Add recyclables items that are already banned from North Carolina landfills to the list of materials in Ordinance

7 Case Study: Alameda County, CA Recycling State law requires recycling for commercial customers with 4 cubic yards or greater and multifamily customers with 5 units or more StopWaste Business Partnership (assistance, grants up to $70k, low interest loans up to $240k), Business Efficiency Awards, Compost at Work, Landfill ban on plant waste, Small Business household Hazardous Waste Program. Diverts 10,000 new tons per year through technical assistance programs New diversion costs less than $30 per ton for technical assistance Funded through a tipping fee surcharge which is assessed on every ton of waste disposed at Alameda County landfills

8 Case Study: Lee County, FL Mandatory commercial recycling (2008) All businesses in unincorporated Lee County Businesses on minimum service are exempt (70 gallons or less) New businesses must comply within 14 days of starting waste service Affects about 7,500 businesses Must select at least one item from County provided list to recycle 95% compliance Program costs including enforcement efforts ~$100, / year One full time employee, benefits, and vehicle Recycling coordinator also assists with efforts Six County inspectors responsible for contract tperformance with the franchised haulers

9 Feedback from Opening Session Green Business Certification LEED Program Outreach Strategy Marketing to folks to aren t looking for you Expand Yearly Award programs to include neighborhoods, apartments, faith based organizations, etc. Create free templates for business recycling plans Example from OSHA website

10 Feedback from Comment Cards Ideas or input for this session Consideration for Non Profits (i.e. those with thrift shops)

11 Group Discussion Recap Key Ideas There is enough infrastructure capacity to expand business recycling ordinance There has to be a market for the materials that are required to be recycled no ban without a plan Ordinance logistics space at existing buildings Potentially tie commercial recycling to business permit renewal and/or hauler permit renewal Current ordinance does not have enough teeth

12 Group Discussion Recap Consensus Conclusions No Franchising, No municipal collection No objections were heard to expanding ordinance Enforcement vs. Incentives: Coca Cola Colamodel sticker on the recycling bin Wipe Out Waste Ambassador Program decal Recycle Bank type idea Reporting requirement of commercial il waste & recycling to better understand what is going on Expand education