ICI Recycling - The West Coast Swing

According to the US EPA, ICI waste (including schools, hospitals and businesses) accounts for 35 to 45 percent of the municipal solid waste stream each year. And although many of us recycle at home, according to studies, far fewer of us recycle at work. Some of the US's major west coast cities have
decided to tackle these problems. Here's a sample their activities:

Portland, Oregon: Portland originally mandated commercial recycling as far back as 1996 to recycle at least 50% of all materials generated. While successful, they stagnated at around the 60% mark, so in 2008 they adopted new standards, and created the Recycle at Work program. Now businesses must separate recyclables from waste, recycling a minimum of 75% of their waste, including all paper and containers, and construction debris from projects valued at or above $50,000. Businesses that generate large amounts of food scraps are required to compost. The program also applies to multi-family dwellings.

While there are "recycling specialists" to oversee the program, enforcement is seen as a last resort. Rather, the city prefers to provide technical assistance and outreach to achieve compliance. The program was well-publicized ahead of time, and many opportunities were provided for input from the public and stakeholders. Contamination levels are self-enforced by the haulers, who simply refuse to collect loads of recyclables they deem too contaminated. While haulers are not regulated, they do have to be permitted and so cooperate with the city in helping to identify the source of significantly contaminated loads found during spot-checks.

Sacramento, California: Sacramento passed its mandatory recycling ordinance in April 2007, covering business and non-residential properties with a 4-cubic-yard collection per week waste service, and multi-family dwellings of 5+ units. The list of materials includes aluminum, steel, glass and plastic containers, paper, cardboard, scrap metal and wood pallets; which materials apply depends on the type of business. Businesses must place recycling containers in work and other areas where recyclables may be collected and/or stored, as well as in customer areas.

Recycling tonnage increased 21% in the first year. Once again, contamination thresholds are determined by the haulers. And once again, while fines for violations have been set, emphasis is on outreach and technical assistance. The business community seems to be accepting the program well.

San Diego, California: San Diego's ordinance was approved in late 2007 and covers privately-serviced apartments and condos, businesses, and special events. For all types, it includes paper, newspaper, cardboard, metal, and glass and plastic containers, which must be separated for recycling. For businesses, it also includes such things as scrap metal, wood pallets, and landscape trimmings where markets exist. The plan was phased in over several years (in fact, January 2010 is the final phase), with lots of public consultation. Again, while fines are in place, outreach is more important, and compliance has been high.

Seattle, Washington: Seattle's ordinance took effect in 2005. It bans "significant amounts" of recyclable paper, corrugated cardboard, and yard trimmings from commercial trash, where "significant amounts" is defined as "more than 10% by volume based on visual inspection". The city's education, outreach and technical assistance program was in place before the ordinance took effect. Since 2005, the city's diversion rate has increased 10%, from 38% to 48%, and the plan is well-supported. And following the trend, fines are a last resort.

San Francisco, California: According to a waste analysis, 36% of San Fran's waste is compostable, and 31% is recyclable. Despite many terrific programs for voluntary diversion, the city realized they would not meet their 75% diversion goal by 2010 through voluntary means only, and are planning a mandatory recycling and composting ordinance. It will require business, institutions, and residents to source-separate recyclables, compostables, and waste. Owners/managers of businesses and multi-family dwellings will have to provide source-separated collection, as well as training and information to new tenants/employees; and yearly refresher training to existing tenants/employees. Haulers will have to tag misused collection containers and report them to the city, although no contamination threshold is being established in the draft ordinance. And once again, outreach, education, and technical assistance will be the order of the day before enforcement and fines are levied. It is hoped the "specter" of fines will "encourage" participation.

So, clearly, it can be done, and it is being done. And equally clearly, the emphasis needs to be on public consultation, education, and outreach if acceptance and compliance are to be achieved. We will no doubt see this trend spreading over the next few years.

(Source: Resource Recycling in August 2009 WasteWatch)

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