Critical Reviews of Solid Waste Recycling Systems Presented at the 2012 Residential Recycling Conference by Tim Giardina, Vice-President Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. March 30, 2012 1 Presentation Overview Questions to Ask Key Considerations Role of Technology Role of Carts Review Process Items to Consider Case Study / Lessons Learned Fort Wayne, Indiana Fort Worth, Texas Questions 2 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 1
Questions to Ask Is Recycling looked at as part of an overall solid waste system? Not as an add on or an after thought What are the collection and processing methods and waste flows? What are the current metrics? What are current staffing levels? What are the service schedules? When were the vehicles last routed? Review of current assets What type of technology is utilized? 3 Key Considerations Determine recycle markets and/or MRF s in area Determine collection method Gain political and community support Determine public education program 4 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 2
Role of Technology RFID Asset management Service verification Recycling and refuse participation Taylor educational programs to target non or low participating neighborhoods More effective use of educational dollars Incentive based recycling programs Routing Software Improve collection efficiencies Cut down on overtime Service Bureau approach On-call Routing 5 Role of Technology (cont..) GPS / AVL On-board computers Visibility of your operations Real time customer service validation and detailed customer service history Full Alert configuration by user for out of route sequence, idling, time to first stop, speed, stray activities and more Route playback for actual route path vs. scheduled route path Driver Messaging to reduce phone traffic Engine Diagnostics 6 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 3
Role of Carts Impact on diversion volume Behavior of individuals recycle until their container is full and then the overflow ends up in the trash Impact on participation Ease of use Improved collection efficiency Beautification Litter control PAYT 7 Review Process Review current system Generate metrics Determine goals to achieve Increase diversion Addition of Organics Role of technology Cost reductions Other Current and future branding and education programs 8 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 4
Items to Consider Demographics and Characteristics of Community Population Seasons / weather Percent of renter-occupied vs. owner-occupied residential units Languages spoken Processing and Disposal Options Existing or Potential Distance and tip fees Model best cost option for your community 9 Case Studies: Fort Wayne, IN Service Demographics: Residences serviced: +/- 79,600 +/-38% renter-occupied units +/- 35% of City is alley collection City supplies carts for collection of refuse and single stream recycling 10 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 5
Initial Process How the Success Story Started Mayor Appointed a Committee Consisted of neighborhood association presidents, three Council members, Public Works Director and Solid Waste Manager GBB was hired as consultant to review and procure services for Solid Waste department 11 Steps Taken Review of current garbage and recycling services Snapshot of current system and metrics Review of trends across the country Committee meetings publicly held Attend and present at neighborhood meetings Determine service bidding options Invited haulers for presentations Predefined questions to address 12 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 6
Steps Taken (cont..) Bid developed, advertised and issued Pre-bid Meeting Bid evaluation and recommendation process On-going Support 13 Procurement Process Offered four Bids: Trash collection Trash collection Recyclables collection Recyclables processing Required new trucks Offered 3, 7, and 10 year options Pre-bid conference attended by 12 companies Five firms submitted competitive bids 14 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 7
Awards Received Indiana Association of Cities and Towns recognized the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana Community Achievement Award for its single stream recycling program Green Community Award I m proud that we were able to reduce fees by more than one million dollars. Our residents have committed to participating and they deserve that rate reduction. It s been an amazing nine months as we ve gone from 34% participation to nearly 70% participation. Mayor Tom Henry 20 Sep 2011 Wayne.com 15 More service for less Results Converted to single stream cart recycling, added additional commodities and added RFID technology Resident bills reduced by $1.29 per month Committee members who knew very little about solid waste management became self proclaimed experts Successful Return on Investment 16 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 8
Results (cont..) Statistics: Participation 106% increase Before = 34% After = 70% Recycle Tonnage - 41% increase Before = 8,840 tons After = 12,420 tons Landfill tonnage - 7% decrease Before = 94,900 tons Commodity Revenue Share Before = $0.00 After = 88,950 tons After = estimated $750,000/year 17 Lessons Learned Community involvement and buy-in Transparent process Take the time to plan Advantages of unbundling services Introducing competition Clearly defined scope One size doesn t fill all Contract length 18 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 9
Don t Stop What s Next Continued public education On-Going Support from consultant Potential PAYT Transfer Station Planning Organic Processing / Collection Other 19 Fort Worth, TX Results of Long Term Planning and Procurement +/- 741,200 residents +/- 198,300 Households Implemented PAYT Citywide in July 2003 Preceded by 7-Year Pilot Program in 8 routes of approximately 10,000 households Operations contracted to private firm 20 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 10
Planning Process Current system review Planning meetings and procurement Education Resident adjustment impact Enforcement Cart delivery and cart maintenance 21 Timeline GBB retained early 2001 to review solid waste and recycling conditions, services and needs Early 2002 Begin planning meetings and procurement process June 2002 Cart proposals received July 2002 Solid waste service proposals received Early 2003 - Contract negotiations finalized Certain services implemented on a phased basis 22 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 11
New Adjustments for Residents Weekly collection of recyclables, singlestream, in wheeled carts Expanded list of recyclables Once/week garbage collection vs. twice/week Garbage collection in wheeled carts vs. bags; all garbage must be in cart Determine which size cart fits family needs 23 New Adjustments for Residents (Cont.) Weekly collection of yard waste in Kraft bags purchased by residents vs. no yard waste collection Brush cut and bundled On demand call-in for large brush and large bulky waste Change of day and time of pick-up for most residents Convenience centers for excess garbage and recycling 24 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 12
Enforcement Advice Slow ramp up Educate first However, recognize that enforcement actions must come to bear eventually Code officers are not garbage-oriented staff; have to be involved in this process Consider using other municipal staff to assist if necessary Work the bad areas first Have the backing of municipal officials Political will to follow through must be there 25 Implementation issues - Improvements Collection contractor has made route changes, intensified driver education, installed new technology in trucks, expanded route audits, added staff, added trucks, replaced subcontractor City has intensified education, code enforcement, and customer service monitoring Right sizing of carts being applied as residents make appropriate waste reductions 26 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 13
Implementation issues - Improvements Greater coordination between City and contractors City is working the problem of high residue/unacceptable materials in singlestream set outs Further improvements being planned Expect and plan for such transition needs/resources when making dramatic system changes! 27 Keys to Success Education / outreach Direct Mail Local media Community group meetings (neighborhood associations. etc.) Yard signs Cart hang tags English / Spanish Door-to-door in problem areas Took their time Patience, Patience, Patience Residents attitudes will not change overnight even though the service does. Stay on your game plan 28 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 14
Summary Competitive procurement resulted in award recommendations for 5 contractors and 6 contracts to serve the City s solid waste/recycling needs Rates are lowered New services are dramatically increased Significant commodity revenue share potential for City Opportunity to both divert more waste and make Fort Worth a cleaner, more attractive City 29 Summary (cont.) City supplements recyclables collection with convenience centers Swap shop (very popular) E-waste drop-off (through Goodwill) Single-stream recyclables drop-off Scrap metal drop-off Yard waste drop-off Initial Results: Recycling diversion: before PAYT 6%, now 21%* Households that recycle: from 21% to 85% 92% of residents pay less than before Costs for disposal decreased Sales of recyclables generated revenue ($540k in 1 st year; more as program evolved) Residue: not included in diversion %; generally runs 30% in recyclables. 30 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 15
Take the time to plan 31 32 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 16
Thank You! Questions? Tim Giardina Vice President Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 614.593.1852 tgiardina@gbbinc.com 33 Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. 17