Report of the Winchester Recycling Task Force
for the WMU Commission
April, 2011
Introduction:
This report sets forth background information regarding the conception of the Winchester Recycling Task Force, results of a community survey specific to Winchester Municipal Utilities (WMU) customers regarding recycling, and a proposal for implementation of Phase I of single stream curbside recycling for WMU customers.
Background:
In response to initiatives identified in the Clark County Community (CCC) Action Plan, the Winchester Recycling Task Force (RTF) was established in 2009. In the same year, the RTF developed and coordinated a county-wide Recycling Survey mailed to approximately 12,000 customers of WMU, Rumpke, and S&G Sanitation within the December 2009 and January 2010 billing cycle. A total of 2,167 survey responses were received representing a response rate of 22 percent. Of the 2,167 respondents, 1,447(67%) were WMU customers.
Based on the survey results and research efforts of the RTF, this report provides a framework for consideration by the Winchester City Commission and WMU Commission for implementation of single stream curb side recycling for WMU customers.
Following are data specific to customers of WMU (n=1,447):
- Do you currently recycle?
38 % Yes (557)
61 % No (881)
- Are you aware of the drop-off Winchester Municipal Recycling Center on Maple Street in Winchester?
75 % Yes (1,080)
25 % No (359)
3. a. Do you use the Winchester Municipal Utilities Recycling Center?
38 % Yes (557)
62 % No (901)
b. If the answer to number 3a is “yes”, how often do you typically use the Recycling Center?
.2 % Daily (3)
6 % Weekly (83)
9% Every-other week (134)
13 % Monthly (189)
9% Other (135)
62 % Unanswered (897)
4. Do you support the use of curb-side recycling collections as a means of capturing recyclable material?
71 % Yes (1,033)
10 % No (141)
14 % Unsure (198)
5 % Unanswered (72)
5. If you currently receive trash pick-up twice per week, would you be willing to alternate one day for trash and the other day for recyclable materials?
60 % Yes (866)
21 % No (305)
13 % Unsure (193)
6 % Unanswered (87)
6. a. Implementing curb-side recycling may cost waste management companies more money. Would you be prepared to pay extra for curbside recycling service or recycling collection bins?
28 % Yes (411)
49 % No (702)
18 % Unsure (257)
5 % Unanswered (72)
b. If the answer to number 6ais “yes”, how much would you be willing to pay per month?
23 % Maximum $5.00 (329)
8 % Maximum $10.00 (117)
.6 % Maximum $20.00 (9)
3 % Other(43)
65 % Unanswered (944)
7. Would you like to know more about recycling?
49 % Yes (715)
38 % No (550)
13 % Unanswered (188)
Proposal:
In order to minimize costs to the governing bodies and WMU customers the RTFproposes to implement Phase I in the Holiday Hills neighborhood. This initiative will include an enhanced service package providing for one day recycling pick-up and one day solid waste collection. This will help establish the proof of concept for how to move forward with the project.
Justification:
The Holiday Hills neighborhood includes a variety of socio-economic households representing the diverse demographics in the WMU service area. The number of households (539) provides a confined parameter for one full day of curb-side recycling collection for WMU. This will allow the RTF to learn both the capacity of WMU to provide efficient curb-side recycling and the efforts of the citizens to participate in anew eco-friendly way of managing waste.
The RTF discussed in great detail enhancement of the current services by replacing one of the two days of collection versus adding a third day of collection. The RTF reached consensus that it would be too difficult to later take away the third day of service once curb-side recycling is realized. Additionally, the third day of recycling collection would be too costly to WMU without passing the expense on to the customer. Furthermore, polling of the surrounding counties and cities concluded that two collections per week are no longer offered. Therefore, Phase I will include an enhanced service at no cost to the customer, with one day of collection for single-stream recycling and one day of collection for non-recyclable waste.
Cost:
There are 539 residences in the Holiday Hills neighborhood. The cost to purchase curbits is approximately $27,000 (539 households x $50.00 = $26,950). WMU's line item budget for curbit replacementis sufficient to cover the upfront cost for purchase of the curbits for Phase I. WMU plans to utilize existing equipment for transporting, compacting, and ultimate removal of the recycled material.
Implementation Plan:
The RTF will review the report and proposal with the WMU Commission and the Winchester City Commission. With authorization from both Commissions, the RTF will invite the residents of Holiday Hills to a community meeting to propose the concept of the single-stream recycling efforts. Here the residents will learn of the specific recyclables to be collected, items eligible for drop-off at the recycling center (e.g., electronics, metals) and the collection day. In addition, notification will be mailed to all Holiday Hills’ residents outlining the project.
Evaluation Plan:
Upon implementation of Phase I, WMU and the RTF will compile and track the following deliverables:
- Baseline of waste (tonnage) generated by Holiday Hills prior to Phase I implementation;
- Increase in volume (tonnage) of recycling;
- Decrease in volume (tonnage) of waste;
- Number of households participating in recycling;
- Demographic breakdown of recycling participants;
- Cost analysis of WMU “tipping fees” vs. annual affiliation fee/and the proportionate fee for recyclables.
This information will be provided to the City and WMU Commissions on a quarterly basis. After sixmonths it is expected data will be comprehensive enough to determine the feasibility of the single stream curbside recycling project.
Long Term Plan:
Data from the Evaluation Plan will provide valuable information to incorporate into the long-term plan for full implementation of single stream, curb-side recycling throughout the WMU solid waste customer service area. Results of Phase I and budgetary restrictions will dictate efforts moving forward for any additional phases. Currently, Phase II has not been identified. It is expected that Phase II will be the inclusion of another neighborhood similar in size and demographics to Holiday Hills. Implementation ofadditional phases may necessitate the need for a cost of service rate study to determine the actual costs for WMU and its customers.
Page 1 (Rev. March, 2011)