Recycling in the Small Recycling in the Small Business SectorBusiness Sector

Molly Ettenborough & David HallMolly Ettenborough & David Hall

April 6, 2010April 6, 2010

New Recycling and Trash Contract New Recycling and Trash Contract started January 2009started January 2009

Single Stream recycling started Jan 2009.Single Stream recycling started Jan 2009. 64 Gallon carts were delivered to every 64 Gallon carts were delivered to every

household and businesses in the downtown household and businesses in the downtown area are also eligible for 1 cart and pick-up. area are also eligible for 1 cart and pick-up.

Trash gets picked up once a week and Trash gets picked up once a week and recycling every two weeks. In the summer, recycling every two weeks. In the summer, businesses get every Friday pick-up. businesses get every Friday pick-up.

PoliciesPolicies

Recycling is mandatory. Enforcement is Recycling is mandatory. Enforcement is key. Our new solid waste vendor, G. Mello, key. Our new solid waste vendor, G. Mello, will not pick up visible recyclables.will not pick up visible recyclables.

Banned items are also enforced and there is Banned items are also enforced and there is monthly drop off for residents and monthly drop off for residents and businessesbusinesses

Newburyport Newburyport

Our recycling rate increased by 15% in 2009Our recycling rate increased by 15% in 2009 Solid Waste decreased by 19% Solid Waste decreased by 19% More to go business, public areas, and organic More to go business, public areas, and organic

waste waste Partnered with the Chamber of CommercePartnered with the Chamber of Commerce Case Study The Tannery Mall along the Case Study The Tannery Mall along the

Merrimack RiverMerrimack River

The Tannery MarketplaceThe Tannery Marketplace

•75,000 square feet of retail and office space

•55 businesses

•Solar panels - 400 150 watt BP photovoltaic panels that when installed was the largest privately owned solar array in NE, 60 kw, generates roughly $1200 per month in electricity

•Green Building - rainwater collected to 3000 gallon cistern used for irrigation & radiant heat throughout, movement light sensors, photo sensor hand dryers, photo sensor bathroom sink faucets, passive solar with all south-facing windows, eco-stone pervious pavers, Brownfield’s site requiring $500,000 cleanup, saved a historic mill building

•Local B20 Biodiesel Vehicles for last 5 years -Ford F350 biodiesel, Bobcat skid steer, Cat loader, VW Jetta TDI, VW Vanagon, 2005 London Taxi

•Heliostats for melting snow, daylighting, delivering natural light to northside of the building, also planning a pig roast

Initial Research & Implementation Beginning May 2009Initial Research & Implementation Beginning May 2009

•Created vision, mission, and goals to minimize waste stream

•Reduce waste by more than 75%, by implementing single stream recycling and cardboard baling

•Introduce organics composting for food, landscaping, and hair

•Introduce compostable food service products

•Put cardboard baler online

•Audited dumpsters and recycling receptacles (dumpster diving)

•Identified primary waste generation for each business

•Interviewed business owners to identify barriers & concerns

•Diverse array of businesses – different plan for different businesses

•Necessitated a top down approach from each business owner

Before May 2009Before May 2009

•2 Common Waste areas throughout Tannery

•6 pickups per week of 10 yard trash dumpster

•2 pickups per week of 8 yard cardboard dumpster

•10 / 96 gallon separated recycling totes picked up every other Tuesday

•Composting of 50 gallons per week of pre table scraps to local pig celebrities for 2 restaurants by David Hall’s biodiesel delivery service

•Primary Waste Generation:

•Food Services/Offices/Retail: paper, cardboard, packaging, defective items, furniture, office furniture & equipment, food & food containers-plastic, metal, glass, bottles & cans

•Construction & Vehicular Maintenance: inert materials, paving, concrete, building products, lubricants, tires, metals, chemicals, & batteries

Farmer’s Market receptacles

The Tannery NowThe Tannery Now

25 / 96 gallon totes purchased for $42 each

5 clear stream recyclers purchased for $50 each

Importance of Good SignageImportance of Good Signage

Importance of Good SignageImportance of Good Signage

Marathon 6030/4830HP Recycler Baler

October 9, 2009 Marathon Recycler Baler went online – all tenants trained on proper baler using & signed an Accident Waiver & Release of Liability Form

Cardboard BalingCardboard Baling

The Tannery TodayThe Tannery Today

50% Reduction in Waste

22 / 96 gallon totes picked up every other Tuesday

3 tons per mo @ $115 per ton = $4,140 per year

Cardboard BalesCardboard Bales

Big Dave & RomeoBig Dave & Romeo

Food scrap composting managers for 2 restaurants

Costs Before May 2009

$ 1,258 monthly cost of 6 pickups per week of 10 yard trash dumpster$ 135 monthly cost of 2 pickups per week of 8 yard cardboard dumpster $ 0 monthly cost of 10 / 96 gallon recycling totes picked up every other week$ 80 monthly labor cost ______________________________________________________________________________________________

$1,473 direct monthly waste & recycling costs

Costs April 2010

$ 638 monthly cost of 3 pickups per week of 10 yard trash dumpster $ 0 monthly cost of 22 / 96 gallon recycling totes picked up every other week $ 75 monthly maintenance costs of baler $ 160 monthly labor costs for recycling totes $ 240 monthly labor costs for baling cardboard $ 20 shrink-wrap for bales______________________________________________________________________ $ 1,133 direct monthly waste & recycling costs-$ 345 March 2010 $115 per ton estimate for payment on baled cardboard______________________________________________________________________________________________

$ 788 direct monthly waste & recycling costs

Savings of $685/mo = $8,220/yr

Waste & Recycling Costs

$ 1,230 25 / 96 gallon totes$ 288 5 clear stream recyclers$ 8,000 baler$ 4,000 baler installation costs $ 2,000 consultant $ 1,000 signage ______________________________________

$16,518 2 yr payback

Set-Up CostsSet-Up Costs

•Continuous auditing, communication, and positive feedback

•Businesses don’t have space or time for 2 separate receptacles

•Ease of use and Education, Education, Education

•Cost-prohibitive to divert food waste to commercial compost facility

•One small step at a time elicits measurable and permanent results over time

•Include the plan in all tenant leases.

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

The Tannery Future - A Work in ProgressThe Tannery Future - A Work in Progress

Reduce & Divert food waste & recycling at least another 25% for a total reduction of at least 75%

•Further improvements to signage.

•Expand food composting with pigs or Earth Tub ?

•Pursue compostable packaging and food service flatware.

•Explore baling of aluminum & plastic

Come Visit Us

The City Of Newburyportwww.thecityofnewburyport.com

The Tannery Marketplace50 Water Street

Newburyport, MA

www.tannerymarketplace.com