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Environmental Management Department recommending adoption of Resolution 278-2008 implementing increased recycling service levels within the American River Disposal Service Franchise Area. (Refer File 08-1293, Spec. Mtg. 8-18-08)
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: There is no change in Net County Cost.
Background: At the Board of Supervisors Workshop on August 18, 2008, the Board of Supervisors gave direction to the Environmental Management Department to research and return to the Board on October 7, 2008 with a status report and recommendation regarding the feasibility of increasing residential (curbside) recycling through a programmatic approach by franchise
area. Based upon the findings of the NewPoint Group Solid Waste Rate and Services Study, the Environmental Management Department submitted a letter to American River Disposal Service (ARDS) requesting that they provide the Environmental Management Department with a written plan for a blue bag program for residential customers within the ARDS franchise area. The letter also requested that the plan include a timeline of no later than January 1, 2009, and other potential options for enhancing recycling such as central locations for mixed recycling and/or green waste collection. (Attachment A)
Reason for Recommendation: On September 4, 2008, the Environmental Management received a written response from ARDS regarding their proposal for an enhanced recycling program. The Environmental Management Department reviewed in detail the proposal submitted by ARDS and requested that ARDS provide further information regarding the proposed program and rate structure. The Environmental Management Department requested that ARDS look into providing their residential customers with blue recycling bags, instead of providing their customers with an initial box of blue bags, and then requiring that customers purchase additional blue bags from designated local vendors.
The final proposal for the enhanced recycling is detailed below (Attachment B).
Blue Bag Recycling Program:
This program will consist of blue bags that will be provided to the year round customers initially and then replaced at curbside by ARDS employees as the bags are used. There are approximately 100 year round customers, which equates to 50% of ARDS total residential customers within the franchise area. There will not be a limit to the number of bags per household. This program will be rolled out to year round customers on January 1, 2009.
Green Waste Recycling Program
ARDS will collect green waste on their regular collection routes, rather than with a separate truck to minimize fuel and labor costs. Customers may participate in this program by placing a designated bag next to their garbage can. Material in the designated bag will be collected free of charge. This program will be rolled out the week of Earth Day 2009. This is based on the fact that 50% of ARDS customers are seasonal from May to October. The rollout date will correspond with the times that most of their residential customers are in the area and will be more recognizable and appreciated at that time.
Educational materials detailing the enhanced blue bag and green waste programs are being developed and will be reviewed by the Environmental Management Department prior to their distribution.
The NewPoint Group provided a comprehensive review of the proposed enhanced recycling program and determined that the proposal provided was highly consistent with the service enhancement recommendations contained in Section 9 of the Solid Waste Rate and Service Study. In addition, they supported the incremental service enhancements and the County's efforts to advance its overall residential refuse, recycling, and yard waste collection system. (Attachment C)
Rate Analysis: The Environmental Management conducted an analysis of the proposal submitted by ARDS. ARDS did not identify any rate increases as a result of implementing the blue bag recycling program or green waste recycling program as detailed in their final proposal. The final proposal for the enhanced recycling program for the American River Disposal Franchise Area includes maintaining the rates identified below:
Residential |
Current Rate |
1 32g Can |
$13.46 |
1 64g Cart (2, 32 carts) |
$18.09 |
1 96g Cart |
N/A |
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Action to be taken following Board approval: Adopt Resolution and direct the Environmental Management to move forward with the implementation of the enhanced recycling program as outlined above.
Contact: Gerri Silva, MS, REHS, Environmental Management Director
Concurrences: