EVALUATING CURRENT SOLID WASTE PRACTICES
Examples of Strengths and Weaknesses
Updated 1-9-17/LT and SP
STRENGTHS / WEAKNESSES
ORDINANCE
· The Solid Waste Ordinance is current and adequately addresses the collection needs of the community.
· The Solid Waste Ordinance requires mandatory collection for every resident to be served and billed.
· The Solid Waste Collection Ordinance serves as an agreement with service provider.
· The Solid Waste Collection Ordinance requires all landlords to pay for or incorporate collection fees in the rental agreement.
· There is adequate oversight and enforcement of the Solid Waste Ordinance. / ORDINANCE
· The Solid Waste Ordinance is outdated, ineffective or not enforced.
· The Solid Waste Ordinance allows residents to self-haul to a permitted facility which makes tracking household collection difficult and leads to problems such as illegal dumping and open burning.
SERVICES
· Collection services are monitored and rates are affordable.
· Collection rates are reduced for Senior and low income residents.
· Collection services are provided through a FRANCHISE system which has designated service areas with better oversight and generates revenue through a franchise fee (best if based on flat fee).
· Collection services are provided through a MUNICIPALLY-OWNED system which enables the county to have control over service and billing.
· Collection services are provided through a PERMIT system which helps the county keep track of service areas, households and disposal. County benefits from revenue off permit fees.
· All persons providing collection service register and report to the county using form DEP 5033.
· County invokes KRS 68.178 for off-site solid waste facilities to help generate revenue. / SERVICES
· Collection services are provided by private waste haulers who fail to notify the county of their services. This leads to problems such as not knowing the area that services are provided and not knowing the disposal facility used by the private waste hauler.
· Collection service is known, but the waste hauler is reluctant to complete the registration and reporting form DEP 5033 thus making it difficult to track households and monitor waste disposal.
· Collectors submit form DEP 5033; however the information is incomplete or inconsistent.
· Collection is provided through a franchise contract, but the fee is based on the number of customers.
· Residents are self-hauling to out-of-county facilities.
· Neither county nor collection service has a system for tracking and/or collecting past due bills.
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· County advertises collection services, publishes news articles, hold public meetings, provide notifications about special collection requirements, hold events for HHW or bulky items and otherwise educates the community about local laws regarding the requirements for solid waste collection.
· Waste Haulers advertise and promote services. / INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· Public education efforts are underutilized.
· Collection services are not advertised.
· Citizens are not educated about ordinance requirements including the legal ramifications of open dumping and open burning.
DISPOSAL SYSTEM
STRENGTHS / WEAKNESSES
ORDINANCE
· The Solid Waste Ordinance is current, clearly defines the disposal requirements for solid waste, hazardous waste and radioactive waste, and adequately meets the disposal needs of the community. / ORDINANCE
· The Solid Waste Ordinance is weak, outdated and/or not enforced.
SERVICES
· County has a permitted contained landfill with adequate capacity for projected waste generation.
· County has a permitted contained landfill that is constructed and operated to meet landfill standards in solid waste regulations.
· County has a permitted contained landfill that is currently in compliance and has minimal issues with odor, type of waste or other potential problems that would affect surrounding properties.
· County has a Host Agreement with the landfill located in their area that requires extra services and lower fees to benefit the community.
· County has a transfer station with scales to weigh tonnage that will be sent to a contained landfill. Scales also help determine user fees for haulers.
· County provides free disposal for bulky items on an on-going basis or periodically throughout the year.
· County assists landowners with tipping fees/disposal costs for cleaning illegal dumps.
· All waste collected in the county must be delivered to the county facility/landfill.
· County has access to several landfills other than one. Multiple landfills in the area offer better assurance for capacity and typically have competitive rates.
· County has a CDD landfill for construction waste.
· County invokes facility fee (KRS 68.178) for non-owned solid waste facilities. / SERVICES
· County does not have any solid waste facilities to take waste generated within the solid waste management area.
· County has no transfer station, no CDD landfills or any other type of disposal facility.
· County makes no provisions for bulky items or household hazardous waste (oil, batteries, anti-freeze, and paint).
· County has no control over which landfill(s) that waste haulers use or where waste haulers take the waste.
· County fails to offer services or special events for drug take back/pharmaceuticals, etc.
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· Disposal services are an advertised bid invitation.
· The public is notified about any issues that involve disposal facilities in the area. This includes siting new facilities, modifying existing facilities, compliance problems, services offered, etc.
· News articles, flyers, local radio, websites, etc. help advertise disposal services and special events like HHW collection, drug take back programs, bulky item drop-off, etc.
· Host Agreement terms are well-publicized. / INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· County fails to provide the public with information about disposal services, fees, regulations, etc.
RECYCLING SYSTEM
STRENGTHS / WEAKNESSES
ORDINANCE
· Solid Waste Ordinance includes a mandatory source separation requirement for items such as corrugated cardboard and office paper generated at local businesses.
· Ordinance includes requirement for recyclers to register and report to the county.
/ ORDINANCE
· Solid Waste Ordinance in general is weak, inadequate and under enforced.
SERVICES
· County provides recycling services through drop-off or curbside pickup.
· Collection services also offer curbside recycling.
· Local businesses offer various recycling opportunities such as: used oil and batteries, cardboard, scrap metal, etc.
· Collectors, processors and markets are available in the community to support recycling efforts.
· Recycling efforts in adjacent counties provide opportunity for regional/collective marketing. / SERVICES
· County has limited funding or interest to promote recycling programs.
· There are limited markets in the area for recovered materials.
· Recyclers fail to register and report as required by Form DEP 5033, despite being informed of the requirement.
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· County offers educational programs for community and school groups to encourage recycling and reduce the amount of garbage entering the landfill.
· Recycling opportunities are advertised in the local paper, local TV, local government websites and local radio.
· SWC has an active role in educating the public about the need for “reduce, reuse, and recycle”.
· Recyclers are informed of the need to register and report to the county using Form DEP 5033.
· Local schools are actively involved in recycling programs. / INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· County makes no effort to educate the public or promote recycling and waste reduction.
ILLEGAL DUMPS SYSTEM
STRENGTHS / WEAKNESSES
ORDINANCE
· Solid Waste Ordinance has mandatory collection thereby reducing the potential for illegal dumping activity.
· Solid Waste Ordinance contains a section on nuisance, junk yards, tires, etc. / ORDINANCE
· Solid Waste Ordinance is outdated and under enforced.
SERVICES
· County assists landowners with tipping fees/disposal costs for cleaning illegal dumps.
· County stays on top of clean-ups and has essentially eliminated all illegal dumpsites.
· County conducts roadside surveys to locate and clean dumpsites throughout the year.
· County encourages local citizens to report illegal dumpsites. / SERVICES
· County has no source of labor to assist with cleaning illegal dumpsites.
· Local law enforcement officers are reluctant to cite property owners for illegal dumpsites.
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· Community is educated about the legal ramifications of illegal dumping and open burning.
· Signs are used in problem areas and throughout the county to warn against illegal dumping.
· Local media is utilized to advertise special events for bulky items, waste tires, etc.
· SWC is active in educating the community and school students about the environmental and economic effects of illegal dumps. / INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· County makes no effort to educate citizens or school children about illegal dumping.
· Dump fines and litter fines are not advertised.
LITTER SYSTEM
STRENGTHS / WEAKNESSES
ORDINANCE
· Solid Waste Ordinance is current and clearly defines the penalties for improper disposal and discarding of items.
/ ORDINANCE
· Solid Waste Ordinance is outdated and under enforced.
SERVICES
· Litter programs are effective and cost-efficient.
· Litter crews are available at all times of the year to clean roadsides.
· Adopt-A –Highway projects are active across the county.
· Community groups get involved with cleanup events.
· County road department, Solid Waste Coordinator, Code Enforcement and other enforcement officials share in the responsibility to locate and monitor problem areas. / SERVICES
· County has no source of labor to assist in litter cleanups.
· Adopt-A-Highway program is not implemented in the county.
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· Community is educated about litter laws, penalties and fines.
· Signs are used throughout the county as part of an anti-litter campaign.
· Local media is utilized to inform the public about litter cleanup events, litter abatement requirements and penalties for criminal littering. / INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· County makes no effort to educate the public or school groups about the environmental and economic impact of littering.
FACILITY SITING SYSTEM
STRENGTHS / WEAKNESSES
ORDINANCE
· The Solid Waste Ordinance is comprehensive and has a well-developed section on the requirements for locating a solid waste facility within the county.
· A separate Solid Waste Ordinance focusing on Siting Facilities and/or Planning and Zoning has been developed to specifically focus on the requirements and process for siting a facility within the community. The ordinance addresses location, proximity to residential areas and traffic flow among other issues.
/ ORDINANCE
· The Solid Waste Ordinance is outdated and under enforced.
· The Solid Waste Ordinance does not address solid waste facilities or siting requirements for facilities to locate in the county.
SERVICES
· County has a permit or petition process in place for anyone proposing to construct and operate a solid waste facility in the area.
· County ensures that the public is informed about all proposed facilities. Public comments are addressed and public hearings are held for the concerned public.
· County officials, magistrates and local law enforcement are knowledgeable about local siting requirements on both the local and state level. A fundamental understanding of siting is essential to making decisions that are in the best interest of the community. / SERVICES
· County has no procedure for siting facilities.
· County has no planning and zoning.
· County does not understand what siting procedures are and why they should be implemented.
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· County officials and the SWC provide information to the public about the siting process in their community.
· The public is well-informed of all the aspects of siting including the need for solid waste facilities, the potential for economic benefit to the county, the potential for environmental impact to the county and the potential for impacts to nearby and adjacent properties. / INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· County fails to involve the public in the decision-making process for siting facilities.
· County fails to provide public notification (if required) for proposed facilities to locate in the area or for existing facilities to make modifications.
ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM
STRENGTHS / WEAKNESSES
ORDINANCE
· The Solid Waste Ordinance is current and clearly defines the penalties for violations.
/ ORDINANCE
· The Solid Waste Ordinance is out of date and ineffective.
SERVICES
· Local officials are supportive and effective in enforcing ordinances.
· Code Enforcement Officers are utilized to ensure compliance with local ordinances.
· County sheriffs and city officers assist in citing criminal littering and illegal dumping violations.
· Violators are required to perform community service or pay penalties. / SERVICES
· Local officials are reluctant to issue citations for violating ordinance(s).
· County attorney fails to prosecute violators.
· County has no ability to identify individuals who violate solid waste laws or fail to participate in solid waste programs or mandatory services.
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· Local citizens are informed of ordinances and encouraged to report violations. / INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
· County makes no effort to educate and inform the public about ordinance requirements and penalties for violations.
FINANCIAL MECHANISMS SYSTEM
STRENGTHS / WEAKNESSES
· County has a separate budget for solid waste programs.
· County invokes license fees for non-owned solid waste facilities (KRS 68.178)
· Permit fees are required.
· Franchise fees are based on a flat rate.
· Host Agreements are negotiated to benefit the community and provide revenue for solid waste programs.
· Counties that have established a 109 District also have a taxing district set up to provide revenue for supporting solid waste activities.
· County applies for grant funding to supplement solid waste programs.
· County and cities collect fees for solid waste collection and disposal services.
· County receives revenue from the sale of recyclables.
· County owns and operates a transfer station with fees to help offset cost of operation and maintenance.
· County anticipates annual personnel and capital expenditures required to carry out solid waste programs.
· County projects costs for litter cleanups, dump cleanups, recycling programs, educational activities and enforcement in an effort to keep a balanced budget for solid waste programs. / · County fails to budget for solid waste programs.
· County makes no effort to apply for and utilize grant funding to help implement programs.
· County fails to invoke license fees through KRS 68.178.
· County permit fees or franchise fees are too low.