COM 0212.006 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RFP IFB RECYCLE REPORT AS OF 12 OCT 2011 1. Is it cheaper to place recyclable materials in the landfill? - DEM presented updated figures (through 2010) to the Council on 15 June that reflected the rates for the current 2 -Bin Recycling hauling contract which was an average of $137 /ton. In addition to the hauling cost, under a separate contract, the County pays a landfill diversion payment for the recycled materials. The cost for the landfill diversion varies by materials and decreases or increases depending on the value of the recycled materials. This information is obtained from independent publications and is reviewed quarterly. The estimated total rate for the 2- Bin recycling program (hauling & diversion) is $175 /ton. The landfill operating costs are approximately $130 /ton but do not include capital costs like equipment, facilities, closure and post closure costs, estimated to be millions. Managing solid waste costs money whether it is to build and run a landfill, waste to energy facility, compost operation or to recycle. It involves equipment, labor, management and overhead costs. To only consider the value of recycling as compared to the cost to landfill is not the complete picture. True, some of the recycling costs are offset by the value of the commodities but in most cases, the value does not cover all the cost of the recycling. For instance, the State HI5 program uses a portion of the 6 cents per bottle to pay the recyclers. Also, the market value of each commodity varies and fluctuates. The conclusion is that the County does pay a premium to recycle. 2. Will the County reach the stated recycling goal of 80% in 2014? - Not much of a chance regardless of the RFP IFB situation. - However, very likely that the County's current recycling rate of 36% will decline if the program is eliminated. In 2001, Hawaii County's recycling rate was only 14 %, lagging behind most of the other Counties & the State rate of 28 %. By 2004, the recycling rate had increased slightly to 16 %, the lowest in the State. By 2006, the County's recycling rate had increased to 26% and hit the highest level in 2010 of 36 %, same as Maui, higher than Kauai and below the State 40% recycling rate.