ERIN MILLER, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDMay 17, 2012

Solid Waste Advisory Council Meeting

Columbus Residential Recycling Benefits

Preserves environmentResidents want itCreates and retains jobs and saves on tipping feesPositions region for more efficient program

What Happens to Recyclables?

Regional Benefits80% marketed within

150 miles IH Schlezinger (steel) Rock-Tenn Paper (fiber)

Job creation at all levels

Economic development

Resources waiting to be recovered from the waste stream

Columbus’ Residential Recycling Program

It’s Affordable & Cost-effectiveThe more Columbus recycles, the more it saves

Program costs offset by $13-$15 million savings in tipping fees over 5 years

One-third of 1% of city budget Total: $1.44 / house / month

*without taking into account tipping fee savings

How will we maximize participation?

Make it Easy & ConvenientRecycling carts delivered

to households

Educational campaign to increase participation

City Benchmarking

Cities Using Carts

National Average lbs/cart/year = 450/500 lbs.

Grove City - 351 lbs.

Westerville – 493 lbs.

Hilliard – 398 lbs.

New Albany – 555 lbs.

National Average lbs/house/year = 340/350 lbs.

Cincinnati – 396 lbs.

Dublin – 840 lbs.

Toledo – 421 lbs.

Phoenix – 567 lbs.

Cities Using Bins

Communities that use carts get 30-40% more material.

Program Design – A Best Practice

Two years of study and analysis, public surveyed, competitively bid

Collection – Rumpke: 227,000 homes

Alternating, every other week recycling and yard waste Recycling pick-up at alley or at curb, consistent with location

of refuse collection No direct fee to residents Adds to program efficiency Limits truck trips through neighborhoods

and related emissions

Trash collection remains unchanged

Citywide Survey Shows Popularity of Residential Recycling

Paper Survey 501 surveys returned

(50% response rate)

Online Survey 4,250+ responses

Responses from all over city

Survey Results

Recycling pick-uppreference Every week: 37% Every two weeks/

monthly – 63%

Yard waste pick-up preference Every week: 20% Every two weeks/

monthly: 53%

Cart preference 73% want cart

Program Design – A Best Practice

64 gallon blue carts for recyclables Wheels and lid No charge for cart - a second or replacement can be

purchased Yard waste: No Changes

Acceptable materials Paper, plastic bottles, glass containers,

steel and aluminum cans, milk cartons and juice boxes

All recyclables in one cart

Drop boxes – 200+ Relocate for increased convenience

Program Begins Spring 2012

Carts will be dropped off 4-6 weeks prior to service

12 months with 5 phases Phase One: Monday – June 45,662 homes Phase Two: Tuesday – July 65,000 homes Phase Three: Wed – October 21,000 homes Phase Four: Thurs – December 36,000 homes Phase Five: Fri – February 2013 48,000 homes

Yard waste and subscription recycling services continue until new services begin

Implementation Schedule

Community Feedback

Number of Containers Deployed /

Zone

Number of Containers

Unadopted / Zone

Number of Containers Requested

After Sweep

Adjusted Number of Containers Removed

Adoption Rate

45,662 540 15 525 98.85%

Recycling Cart Adoption – Phase 1

311 Call Center Inquiries

RecyColumbus Campaign Development

1. Contract with Murphy Epson, Curbside Value Partnership

2. Developed Key Messages and Communication Plan

3. F.A.Q

4. Logo and design standards

5. Developed website www.RecycleColumbus.org and marketing materials

RecyColumbus Outreach

Recycling Ambassadors60 trained volunteers

Over 34 ppt given to community groups at 10 events (segway and toss game)

Media (paid and free)1,000 30 second TV broadcast May 28-Aug 19

Local newspaper adsDisplays (libraries and recreation centers)Social Media, press events and interviews

House by HouseAutomated Calls

DoorhangersCart Materials (magnet, brochure, letter, IML)

RecyColumbus Campaign Development

Regional Collaboration

Early 2011 began actively pursuing shared services

10 jurisdictions mayors-city managers working group

Smaller team formed (Hilliard, Dublin, New Albany,

Columbus) to explore steps and challenges of moving towards a broader regional recycling service.

Recycling one aluminum

can save enough to power a TV for

3 hours

Regional Collaboration cont.

Cooperative Procurement Language in Contracts

Toter (carts)-

$37.45 / 64 gallon blue cart

Rumpke (collection)-

Negotiate price of yard waste and recycling collection based on Columbus pricing (approx $1.02 recycling and $1.14 yard waste – per house per month: every other week)

Rumpke Proposal

Reduced Collection Costs Zero processing costs, applied

value of recyclablesAlternating to every-other-week

collection

Adding residential recycling service

Utilizing the same collection vehicle to maximize the collection potential of each truck (both services: yard waste & recycling)

Thank You

Erin Miller, Environmental StewardCity of Columbus, Office of Mayor

Coleman614-645-0815

emmiller@columbus.gov