Integrated Resources & Solid Waste Management Plan Update - Dec 2009

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4.0 RECYCLING, BIOCONVERSION, AND MARKETS EXHIBIT 4 -4 Factors Affecting Curbside Recycling Costs Estimated Cost Program Feature Increase or Decrease Commingled collection 20 to 35% decrease Less than weekly collection 20 to 40% decrease Mandatory recycling 10 to 25% decrease Long program history 10 to 25% decrease Automating collection 5 to 15% increase Adding variable rates 10 to 20% increase Adding new materials 15 to 35% increase Source: California Integrated Waste Board. 2002. Curbside Recycling, the Next Generation: A Model for Local Government Recycling and Waste Reduction. Accessed at http: / /www.ciwmb.ca.gov/ publications /default.asp ?pubid =969 Depending on the types of issues discussed above, the cost of curbside recycling could vary significantly. A curbside recycling only system, without garbage or yard waste, but including material processing and marketing, would require development of significant collection infrastructure and would probably cost $20 to $30 per household per month. The costs would likely be significantly less if the service was combined with curbside garbage and /or green waste collection. 4.5.3 Residential Curbside Collection and Processing of Green Waste In this option, the County would collect green waste from single - family residents or contract with a private collection firm for the service. The choice of County collection versus private collection would need to be made with State contracting laws in mind. In this type of program, materials are typically collected in bags or plastic bins provided by residents or the local government. While some systems are used for bulk collection without containers, these are typically only used seasonally in the fall for leaf collection9_ Types of bags or containers and associated advantages and disadvantages of each type of container follow. Plastic bags. Relatively inexpensive, convenient, but a significant problem for processors because the cost of removing all plastic from the organics results either in contaminated low - quality feedstock, extremely high -cost bag removal methods, or both. Grass in plastic bags can go anaerobic and become odorous when opened at the compost facility. Most green waste collection programs now prohibit collection of green waste in plastic bags. 9 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1994. Composting Yard Trimmings and Municipal Solid Waste. Accessed at http: / /www.epa.gov /osw /conserve /rrr /composting /pubs /cytmsw.pdf December 2009 4 -17