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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 239-10TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL P2 ATTENTION: POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DATE: MAY 11,2010 CMR: 239:10 REPORT TYPE: ACTION SUBJECT: Recyclables and Compostables Ordinance Development RECOMMENDATION Staff requests that the Policy and Services Committee accept this report on the recyclables and compostables ordinance development process and recommend that staff continue to develop for Council consideration an ordinance restricting the placement of recyclables and compostables in the garbage, with a phased implementation plan for the commercial and residential sectors. BACKGROUND Development of Zero Waste Strategy and Operational Plan On November 15, 2004, Council directed staff to develop a zero waste policy and implementation plan for the Palo Alto community. In January 2005, a task force composed of Palo Alto residents and businesses was formed to assist in the creation of a zero waste policy and the development of a Zero Waste Strategic Plan to act as a framework to guide City officials in the planning and decision making process towards achieving zero waste goals. The task force met eight times over six months. Meetings were open to public partjcipation. The task force and City staff obtained input from a wide cross-section of the community through a variety of means. In addition to public meetings, surveys were sent to at least 1,000 businesses throughout Palo Alto. Surveys were also sent to over 400 reuse, recycling and composting service providers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. All residents received information about a residential survey in their utility bills. Both the commercial and residential surveys were posted on the City's website. Community participation was encouraged through news releases, attending local business meetings, door-to-door visits with Palo Alto service providers, a special zero waste web site, newspaper ads, Community Recycler newsletter, utility bill inserts, flyers (at local libraries, May Fete parade, and the City landfill), and the Recycling Center kiosk. Based on input from the community, businesses, and industry experts, the resulting Zero Waste Strategic Plan identified the key objectives and strategies needed to reach zero waste. This included developing policies and incentives designed to eliminate waste at the source, and maximizing recycling through expanded collection programs, processing facilities, education, outreach, and technical assistance. In October 2005 the Council approved the Strategic Plan and CMR:239:10 Page 1 of8 adopted the goals of 73 percent waste diversion by 2011 and zero waste by 2021 (CMR:382:05). Council also directed staff to develop a Zero Waste Operational Plan (ZWOP) to identify the policies, programs and facilities needed to achieve these goals. Using the Zero Waste Strategic Plan as a blueprint, over the next 18 months staff and the Zero Waste Task Force built an operational plan. The Zero Waste Operational Plan was completed in June 2007, and identified a number of programmatic, policy and infrastructure-related elements to guide the City's short and long-term Zero Waste efforts. One of the specific policy recommendations made by the ZWOP was an ordinance requiring customers to place recyclable and compostable material in the appropriate collection containers. Waste generators would be required to utilize the recycling and composting services available to them. The Zero Waste Operational Plan was presented for adoption at a Council meeting in September 2007. Part of the recommendation to the Council was related to the policy component of the ZWOP: "Approve plan and continue the discussion of new policies and regulatory requirements such as mandatory recycling and product bans to give staff direction on whether to pursue such actions in conjunction with the start of the new collection contract in 2009. " This recommendation was extensively discussed by the Council, with clarification from the Public Works Director that if the Council approved the ZWOP, staff would "need to come back to Council with the details of a specific implementation program, an ordinance, an enforcement mechanism and a time frame." On September 17, 2007, the City Council approved the Zero Waste Operational Plan. Climate Protection Plan Palo Alto's Climate Protection Plan recognizes the importance of the City's zero waste efforts, and states, "Maximizing our use of the current recycling program is the quickest and least expensive action we can take to make significant strides toward both Zero Waste and GHG emissions reductions." Nearly eight percent of the community's greenhouse gas emissions are due to recyclable material that is disposed in the landfill rather than being recycled. These emissions would be reduced if the recyclable material currently going to the landfill were diverted and used as feedstock in the manufacture and production of new products. Using recycled feed stock reduces overall greenhouse gas emissions since it avoids the extraction and processing of raw materials (oil, timber, etc.). For example, using recycled aluminum to produce new aluminum products reduces raw material requirements by 95 percent and energy requirements by 90 percent. The Climate Protection Plan incorporates the actions identified in the Zero Waste Operational Plan, including implementing material bans and a recycling ordinance. Ordinance Development Process As of July 2009, a number of the pro gram elements identified in the Zero Waste Operational Plan have been implemented in the new contract with GreenWaste of Palo Alto, including CMR:239: 10 Page 2 of 8 commercial food waste collection, expanded commercial recycling services, an expanded list of materials collected in curbside recycling, Clean Up Day collection focused on reuse and recycling, and comprehensive construction and demolition debris recycling. With the successful implementation of the GreenWaste contract, staff has started to develop a conceptual recycling and composting ordinance, as identified in the ZWOP. Staff has held a series of eight community meetings with nearly 200 total attendees to help develop a conceptual recycling and composting ordinance. The first series of meetings took place in late January/early February 2010, with the purpose of identifying barriers and challenges to participation, tools and assistance needed, as well as to identify the potential incentives and enforcement provisions of the ordinance. During this series of four meetings -two targeting the commercial sector and two targeting the residential sector -meeting participants were broken into small groups to brainstorni ideas related to these issues. Over 1,000 ideas were generated during the initial series of meetings. During February 2010, staff analyzed and distilled the ideas generated in the community meetings to identify common themes and concepts (see Attachment A). In addition, City staff identified other jurisdictions that have developed and implemented ordinances requiring the utilization of recycling services, including San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and San Diego. Staff evaluated the key provisions of these ordinances to identify those that might be applicable to Palo Alto. Existing ordinances generally either restrict the disposal of target materials in the garbage, or require the subscription to recycling services for specified materials. Staff is proposing an ordinance that restricts placing recyclables and compostables in the garbage, as this type of ordinance is the most straightforward and is directly aligned with the desired result - keeping recoverable material out of the garbage -while leaving open customers' options for compliance. In March 2010, staff held a second series of community meetings to obtain feedback on the conceptual ordinance incorporating elements from the brainstorming sessions and elements from ordinances adopted by other cities. Again, two meetings were held for the commercial sector and two meetings were held for the residential sector. Feedback included concerns about what to do with hard-to-recycle materials (e.g. Styrofoam), being penalized for continuing to throwaway garbage, questions about how enforcement would work, and requests for additional information on what things are recyclable. Based on the questions from these meetings, staff developed a Frequently Asked Questions sheet to address several of the concerns raised by attendees (Attachment B). In addition, a "white paper" describing the elements of the conceptual ordinance was posted on the City's website, and an on-line survey was made available for those unable to attend the community meetings to provide feedback on the conceptual ordinance. A total of 341 responses were received, 95% of these from residents. Nearly 70% of the respondents felt they would be in compliance with the conceptual ordinance right now, and two-thirds felt the compliance process as described in the white paper gave people sufficient opportunity to comply. Generally, comments received in the survey were either supportive of the ordinance concept; asked that guidelines for compliance be made very clear; inquired about what to do with specific materials; expressed concerns about using financial penalties versus making compliance voluntary; or voiced a concern about invasive enforcement methods. Concerns about how the ordinance CMR:239:10 Page 3 of8 \ would be enforced were largely based on misinformation; ordinance enforcement is discussed later in this report. Based on the input received through the on-line survey and the community meetings, staff has continued to refine the conceptual recycling and compo sting ordinance. DISCUSSION Palo Alto's waste diversion rate has stayed essentially the same over the past 10 years. Palo Alto has relied upon on-going public education and voluntary programs, coupled with a pay-as-you­ throw rate structure that incentivizes recycling, to encourage participation in the community's waste diversion efforts. However, 43% of Palo Alto's garbage is still made up of recyclable material and the city's waste diversion rate has effectively stagnated. As identified in the Zero Waste Operational Plan, in order to reach the community's Zero Waste goals new tools to increase participation will need to be developed. The following graph shows Palo Alto's diversion rate projected through 2021, based on the diversion rate trend from 1998 through 2008. Palo Alto Diversion Rate Projection through 2021 100% ~--------------------------------------------------------------~ 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 2021 Goal: ~90% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ____ 2011 Goal: 73%._ .... . . . . --.. ---ut _____ ~ <:::;::::7 -U U U --------U - - ----U U - - -u __ - -U ________ u ____ _ 30%, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20% 10% 0% +--.-,--.--.-,--,--.--,-.--,--.-.--,--,-~_.--._~_.--._~~--._~ & § 0 ..... & g ~ :g & ....... ....... 0) 0 ..... C'IJ c» "t It) <0 "-co 0) 0 ..... g g ...: ...: 0 ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... & & II) II) 0) 0 0 ~ f? ~ ~ ~ f? 0 ~ 0 0 ~ 0 0 0 f? ..... ..... C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ C'IJ "-& 0 ~ ~ Palo Alto has had voluntary recycling programs for over 35 years; curbside collection has been available since 1980. There has been at least two full-time recycling outreach staff since 1991. Staff has spent nearly two decades educating and promoting recycling efforts through ads, bill inserts, recycle guides, newsletters, press releases, web page, brochures, and community events. Even with the new and expanded services for commercial customers offered since July 2009, only about 55% of businesses subscribe to recycling services, and only 20% subscribe to compostable services. In addition to education efforts, the current refuse rate structure provides a financial incentive to recycle and reduce garbage service. Palo Alto has had a volume-based "pay-as-you-throw" rate structure since 1992. With this rate structure, garbage rates decrease when a customer reduces CMR:239:10 Page 4 of8 garbage service through recycling. Recycling service is even offered at no additional charge, increasing the savings available through participation in recycling programs. A waste characterization study was also performed as part of the development process of the Zero Waste Operational Plan. This study looked at the materials in the garbage stream from residents and businesses in Palo Alto, and found that over 43% of the material in the garbage is recyclable in the City's existing collection programs. Overview of conceptual ordinance Based on the community input process described above, staff has developed a conceptual recycling and composting ordinance. This ordinance would have two primary components, an education component and a compliance component, explained in more detail below. The education component would be implemented first, for both the residential and commercial sectors. After 12 months, the compliance component would be phased in for the commercial sector only. After implementation of the education component, a waste composition study would be performed annually on residential sector garbage to determine changes in the amount of recoverable material in the residential waste stream. The performance of the residential sector would be evaluated using the results of this waste composition study, and if predetermined performance goals were not met after 24 months, staff would return to Council with a recommendation for a potential compliance component for the residential sector. The implementation process for the ordinance is described in more detail below. Education Component The education component would consist of a multi-prong campaign to educate residents and businesses on existing recycling, yard trimmings and composting services. This campaign would rely on both traditional education tools as well as personalized education to each customer. The more traditional tools would include: recycle guides sent to each residential customer; labels for collection carts describing what materials should be placed in each cart; information published in local papers; a redesigned Zero Waste website utilizing social media; and educational Q&A sessions with community, neighborhood and business organizations. Similar to the customer notification process that has been used for years by PASCO and now Green Waste, the personalized education would provide additional instant feedback and education to each customer. A feedback note would be left on customer's cart or bin when the garbage collector, as is GreenWaste's current practice, the garbage collector briefly monitors trash for hazardous materials, etc. as it is dumped into the truck observes excessive amounts of recyclables or compostables in the garbage container. The tag would identify the material observed in the container and would direct the customer to resources for more information (phone number, website, etc.). The feedback tool will follow an existing process for both garbage and recycling. Garbage and recycling drivers currently perform a cursory visual check of garbage and recyclables containers to make sure they don't contain prohibited material (e.g. hazardous materials, contaminants in recycling carts). If prohibited materials are observed, the collector leaves a tag describing the issue and the corrective action required. The feedback process for the CMR:239:1O Page 5 of8 personalized education would merely be an extension of this current activity -garbage collectors will just look at what can be seen when they open the container to take it to the truck for dumping. It will not involve opening garbage bags or auditing garbage. Residents receiving three or more feedback notices would be referred to Zero Waste stafffor additional education and outreach; commercial customers would receive follow-up education from Green W aste outreach coordinators. See Attachment C for sample education materials and feedback notice. Compliance Component Initially, the compliance component would apply only to commercial customers. The ordinance's compliance component would establish a four-step process for handling customers that receive successive feedback tags indicating excessive recyclables or compostables in the garbage. Each step in this process would rely on education to the customer, coupled with an escalating series of compliance actions. The first step would be a simple notice to the customer that recyclable or compostable material was observed in their garbage container. The second step would be a notice, coupled with a defined timeframe in which to resolve the problem. This would provide a "grace period" in which to correct the problem. The third step would be a notice coupled with a surcharge on their utility bill (up to $50 for larger commercial customers). The fourth step would be a notice of non-collection, where the customer would have the option of removing the recyclable or compostable material from the garbage, or they could pay a surcharge (up to $75 for larger commercial customers). Implementation The education and compliance components would be phased in on different schedules for the residential and commercial sectors. For the commercial sector the education component would be implemented first. After a 12 month educational period, the compliance component would then be phased in, and the compliance process would apply only to the commercial sector. The education component would also be implemented first for the residential sector. After 12 months, a waste composition study would be performed to determine changes in the amount of recoverable material in the residential waste stream. The education phase would continue, and at 24 months after implementation another waste composition study would be performed. The performance of the residential sector would be evaluated using the results of both waste composition studies, and if performance targets are not met, staff would return to the Council with a recommendation for a potential amendment to the recycling and composting ordinance to include a compliance component for the residential sector. The implementation timeline is shown in the diagram below. Implementation Plan Education component implemented (Residential & Commercial) Compliance component implemented (Commercial only) Retum to Council with Residential Compliance =mponent (depending on result of waste studies) CMR:239:10 Waste =mposition study performed Waste =mposition study performed Page 6 of8 Both residential and commercial garbage still contains a large amount of recyclable material. However, implementing the compliance component for the commercial sector is particularly important for several reasons: 1) The commercial sector contributes the largest fraction of the garbage stream (about 50% of the total garbage disposed versus approximately 30% for residential and 20% for self haul/other); 2) the commercial sector has a much lower level of overall participation than the residential sector. To date, only about 55% percent of commercial customers participate in available recycling services, and even fewer subscribe to compost collection services. Special Provisions While the conceptual ordinance would apply to all types of waste generators in Palo Alto, certain kinds of waste generators (e.g. apartments, multi-tenant office buildings, hotels) will necessitate special requirements due to specific circumstances and limitations. See Attachment D for more detail on possible special provisions. Waiver There would be a process for waste generators to apply for a waiver for all, or portions of, the ordinance requirements, based on lack of adequate storage space at the property for containers for recyclables, compostables and garbage. Waivers might be pennanent or for a specific time period. Recognition Efforts/Other Support from City As part of the ordinance implementation, staff would develop a recognition methodology that will provide public recognition to those customers that consistently meet or exceed the requirements of the ordinance. For residential customers this may include recognizing overall neighborhood participation or that of individual residents. For businesses this could include recognition on the Zero Waste website, a certificate or window decal, or a business ratings system that businesses can use to show their customers their commitment to Zero Waste. Feedback would be an important part of recognizing customers that are doing a good job. City staff will provide feedback on community perfonnance through an annual Zero Waste report. In support of business efforts to comply with the ordinance, the City will work with the Chamber of Commerce and/or other interested business organizations to create a purchasing cooperative for recycling equipment (e.g., internal bins, janitorial carts) and related janitorial supplies (e.g., comp 0 stab Ie liners for collecting compostables) to reduce up-front capital costs as well as on-going operational costs of setting up and running a business waste diversion program. In addition, the City will identify janitorial companies that specialize in recycling and compo sting collection programs at businesses, and create a resource list of these companies. These "certified" jailltorial companies will have a documented procedure for training and enduring staff understand their customers' recycling systems. Next Steps As the next step in the ordinance development process, staffwould continue its outreach efforts over the next four to six months and reach out to and seek input from targeted groups such as the CMR:239: 10 Page 7 of 8 Chamber of Commerce, CAADA, neighborhood associations, the Tri-County Apartment Association, the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), local property management companies, and CEAP. Staff would develop ordinance language and return in the fall with an ordinance for consideration by the City Council, along with specific implementation plans for the residential and commercial sectors. RESOURCE IMPACT Resources for the Zero Waste Program are included in the Refuse Fund Operating Budget. POLICY IMPLICATIONS All of the above programs are consistent with the City's Sustainability Policy, the Climate Protection Plan, and the Zero Waste Operational Plan. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The staff recommendations in this report do not meet the definition of a "project" under Section 21065 of the California Environmental Quality Act, and therefore no environmental assessment is necessary. Once a specific ordinance is developed, staffwill conduct the necessary environmental review before returning to Council. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A -Community Meeting Brainstorm Ideas Attachment B -Frequently Asked Questions Attaclunent C -Sample Education Materials Attachment D -Special Provisions PREPARED BY: Administrator~ Refuse APPROVED BY: Ii 1M-- GLENN ROBERTS Director of Public Worb CITY MANAGER APPROV AL: CMR:239:JO Page 80f8 ATTACHMENT A Recycling And Composting Ordinance Brainstorm Ideas Generated At 1st Round Of Public Meetings February 2010 Make sure everyone knows what to do and why Create List of Recyclables Pictorial handouts at home More detailed lists List of acceptable materials Website list on how to deal with problem materials Fridge magnets ' Send out Lists Frequently Send out list in bill every 3 months Use LARGE print Mail out booklet 2x per year Send out info sheet every 2-6 months Send out utility bill insert monthly Improve Signage on Bins Signage contest Graphic and bilingual labeling of bins Lists on garbage and recycling bins Stamp the garbage bin with what should be recycled More pictures Posters near recycling bins in apartments & condos Resources to Educate Community Post in newsletters Publicize on-line info Palo Alto on-line Ads at local stores Advertise hotline/website Ads in local papers Weekly flyer in the PA Weekly -Keep It Simple Bumper sticker on City vehicles Sustainability column in the P A weekly to which people can contribute suggestions Subscribe to an alert system Email info Notices at libraries -with I or 2 sentences Hotline Target schools Educate the kids in school Start art programs in schools to use recyclable materials in art projects Training Audio instructions at location Video demo at gas station Workshops Hold Demo sessions at neighborhood association meetings Hold Demo meetings at supermarkets How-to clinics One-on-one meetings Live action trainings Regular communications on what is recyclable and what is not Educate via forums Contests within departments On-site presentation events to employees Orientation Recycle drills Meetings with Q&A Periodic question meetings with GreenWaste New employee training Help with on-site training Employee recognition program End-user input Reward employees ReuselW aste Prevention Education/Programs See "Baby-Earth" for composting baby diapers Suggest recyclable diapers to manufacturers Incentives to reduce disposable diapers Encourage people to provide negative feedback on packaging Encourage smart shoppers: pre-cycling Encourage stores and restaurants to use less packaging ( or none) where possible Take own containers for restaurant take-out Think before you buy it; choose green packaging Assist making better purchasing choices Offer reusable coffee mugs Offer incentives for reusables Sort construction debris and allow to pick up and reuse Encourage bulk-buying in our own recyclable bag Encourage people to take their own dishes and flatware to social events where paper or plastic would be used Education campaign to encourage reduce/reuse (ads & articles, posters, events) Encourage people to stop junk mail Make the "good" stuff that people bring to the dump available to take away Try to reduce packaging of products . Promote local fanners markets More frequent city-wide garage sale "Use it up, wear it out, do without" Donate to charity Educate on Cost Savings of RecyclinglComposting Cost-benefit model Bill insert that shows potential savings Outreach on potential savings Advertise cost savings Increase publicity on financial savings of individual businesses Advertise cost savings Web-Searchable Information Problem materials searchable on website "Yelp" for recycling Equipment idea -clearinghouse Sharing of infonnation Web -Interactive Site Link to Green Waste website Web-based electronic education program contest Interactive website with pictures On-line contest Web green community Social marketing Facebook presence i-Phone application On-line video demo -YouTube Broad Education Effort Outreach to "green committees" List the positive impacts of recycling in public places Ongoing education Put list ofrecyclables in the PA Daily and Weekly newspapers Articles in papers about what, why and how to recycle Keep it positive Celebrate success Garbage parties Ice cream party Catchy slogan Make it fun Post information on truck signs and billboards Use cute signs or ads Repeat message Educate at supennarket Use variety of information sources Involve artists with the recycle center to make art awareness projects Public artJinteractive display at City HalllPlaza Tablelbooth in public -Lytton Plaza "green" guide Education on reason for ordinance Facility Tours City Open House GW open house Education on processing facility Offer tours/publicize Explain in detail how sorting actually works Tours of all processing facilities Provide Feedback on Performance Provide Feedback to Individual HouseholdslBusinesses Talk to people that put recyclables in the garbage Identify issues in bills Itemized bill Comparison to average householdlbusiness Track contamination Recycle feedback -how much vs. community Keep reiterating the process -contamination reports -monthly waste assessments, positive reports to employees Weigh garbage and reflect result on utility bill How does it impact ME? Give us cost to recycle and not to recycle Monthly bill for weight of recycle -less is not good On-line tracking of waste Electronic communication to bill Feedback to Neighborhoods/Community Annual "State of Zero" report -list of all businesses & neighborhood LOE Outreach on how community is doing and comparing annually Signs on block Prius effect Zero Waste Zones -blockfneighborhoodlbuilding Measure and report dollars saved/tons diverted Publicize amount recycled Signs like speed signs with results of that street Other Feedback Rating for successful businesses Measure before and after Power of numbers Grading system on window (diversion %) Report cards "Dashboard" resources Grade systemlbenchmark Audits Schedule audits Audits of homefbusiness Bin monitors Perfonn waste stream audits Monitoring system Daily audit Make It Simple Keep it Simple Simple statement-pictures Keep rules simple Clear guidelines Easy, quick outreach Single-statement flyers -different every month -Keep it simple Put only one sentence on a 113 size paper in bills Simplify information in utility bill Use weekly flyers on recycle bin, each with one idea Simplify approach Make it a no-brainer Simplify Collection/Sorting Develop central, public sorting systems Reduce the amount of sorting needed at company level Wide definition of acceptable materials for single-stream Require less sorting at the user end Take everything No sorting -process all the garbage Wet/dry collection Standardize regionally Offer services consistent with other cities Easier for elderly to comply Reduce lock charges More recycling bins at every store, shopping center that generates recyclables Sort garbage at landfill to recover recyclables Consistency Make it automatic Some current rules are unreasonable "no ivy" Standard signs Interior building bins with list of recyclables Need clean policy on what is recyclable Label Items (recyclable/not recyclable) Bar code on products Pictures on products Label everything RFID Color code products iPhone app to sense garbagelrecycle Educate on Existing Rules Be more clear that ALL plastic food containers are OK without washing Clarify what goes in each container One-stop shop for all recycle and compost setup info Repeat messages Get out message to default to recycling Tell people "paper" means ALL paper, not just copy paper Make Changes to Our Programs Expand Acceptable Materials Broaden what is recyclable Take more "stuff' in cans (weight, type) Recycle textiles Recycle clothes, textiles, shoes Allow broken glass in recycling Organized "Free Day" at curbside Jullk pick-up more than Ix per year Pick up "stuff' in back yard More take-back centers Find solutions for plant materials that can't be recycled now Take Styrofoam, milk/juice cartons Expand Recycling Center with more stations, explanatory boards, etc. Home Composting Garden groups could be interested in compost made available to public Promote composting at home Provide home compost bins Put compost workshop on the web Find an outlet for home-made compost Residential Compost Collection Implement residential food compo sting Provide containers for in kitchen food composting Compost UselDistribution Make compost available monthly Facilitate/encourage compost use and distribution Compost bin on each block Organize residents to use compostable dumpsters of nearby businesses Compos ted soil delivered to you Reduced Collection for Residential Garbage Offer smaller garbage can at lower price Collect recycling every week, garbage every other week Once per month garbage pick-up HHW More e-waste recycling sites Have regular e-waste pick-ups Educate more on what is toxic -CFL, Mercury thermometers, batteries, etc Collect at point of purchase Recycle fee for hazardous products Expanding hazardous waste program Hazardous waste collection bin Pick-up of hazardous waste IncentiveslEnforcement Incentives -Rates More information on rates Recycle or rates double Pay for volume of landfill material Pay for garbage by the pound; recycling is free Make bigger difference in rate structure Greater diversion = greater savings Smaller cheaper rate for our cans Get a discount if you comply Rebate on utility bill for compliance 10% discount in rates Incentive for achieving recycling: goal is to reduce bill Better payment terms for compliance Incentives -Other Financial Reward for finding non-participating Company rewarded from City -competition between companies Pointslrewards RecycleBank "Fee-bate" system Recognition system Show savings on utility bill Offer rewards for recycling Coupons for recycling by weight Offer premium pick-up service when in compliance (best times of day, etc) Incentives -Recognition Bill insert showing all participating companies Learn from others that are doing this successfully Solicit successful programs Free promotion for increased diversion rate List participating neighborhoods/addresses on utility bill Recognition on web, truck signs, poster in plaza Free newspaper article for businesses that comply Competition -reward mechanism "Good" stickers on bins -gold star Give free compost to those that meet standards Ribbons for compliance Publish names Enforcement -Penalties -Non-financial Publish picture and address of non-recyclers in newspaper Put red sticker on garbage can by collection truck Bright tags on residents' cans that don't participate Shame them! Publish consequences of contamination Scarlet "R" on cart Post worst offenders on the web Loser of the month Violators get a different colored can Mandatory time at landfill for non-participants . Charge hours of public service -pick up trash in parks Enforcement -Penalties -Financial 10% premium on bill Charge residences that do not recycle Make fines high $50 $1000 Penalty specific to business High taxes for non-compliance (Le., per unit) Surcharge for non-compliance City tax: on properties that don't participate Enforcement -Feedback from Drivers 2nd notice don't pick up Education first, then refusal to pick up Give collection staff a checklist to inform homeowner -or don't pick up Reminder sheet -put on container when things are put where they shouldn't be Provide feedback from driver to business Instant feedback on bins Janitors Green Janitor Certification Certify janitors as green and Zero Waste trained Post list of certified janitors Certification of janitors for ability to work in Palo Alto Bi and tri-lingual conununications OtTer multi-language trainings Include janitorial company in educational meetings Educate employees and janitors Classes/training for janitors Show janitors that separating compost make garbage smell better Financial Incentives for Janitors Allow janitors to keep recycling sales revenue Reward janitorial companies Money incentive for janitors at business building that meet certain goals Pay them more (for better employee retention) Job description -bonuses for janitors who are on board Prizes for good suggestions from janitors Pay them more if they do it right Institutionalize Recycling Among Janitors Help janitors educate others Include janitors in the design of collection system Make part of the hiring process Write recycling into contracts Involve janitors in design of containers Award contracts to "good" companies Ask for their input Have janitors clean out bins Janitors serve as recycling/compost "gatekeepers" Train janitors to be "police" and issue recycling citations City assistance/support -direct/indirect Sustainability/Overall "umbrella" for environment Clean policy communicated to everyone Educate through City programs, company direction or directive QuicklEasy tie-in with energy Set Community goals -lower costs if goals are met P A Green for business Integrate with other services Modify building codes to require space for recycling Purchasing Discounts Aggregate purchasing power for supplies to drive down costs Reduced costs biodegradable bags Form business cooperative for restaurants to purchase compostable containers in place of recyclable or non-recyclable containers Get group discounts on interior bins Get World Centric involved -they provide compostable containers Technical Assistance Hands on outreach (walk-through) Use free services Help from collector Green Waste outreach experts Collaboration with GreenWaste and WaveOne Provide on-site consultant Use a professional Dumpster diver teams extract recyclables from the garbage Pay a day porter to sort Assistance with sorting Segregating waste stream service Pair with businesses (ie Jamba Juice) -should use non-Styrofoam containers Legislative Efforts Grocery stores to print "recyclable" on plastic produce bags and on paper bags still in use Connect trash enclosure requirements with building permit Standardize takeout containers Industry sponsor of recycling -naming rights Legislation requiring savings to be passed along Holding manufacturers responsible Encourage industry/manufacturing change Outlaw Styrofoam Minimize packaging Force manufacturers to add recycling fee to product Restrict what can be used/sold -purchasing policy Require manufacturers to reduce packaging Work toward laws allowing container reuse Encourage "green" legislation that would make reuse easier Communities of Practice Some kind of inter-neighborhood competition -prize for winner Neighbors get together for a common pick-up Phone banking to spread the word GW driver Encourage event committee chairs to have a green team to help green the event PANDA group for recycling "police" Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts go door to door to educate neighborhood Peer to peer sharing Block Recycle Watch (like Crime Watch) Share best practices Buddy system -help neighbors Community service teams -door to door "Master Recyclers" Use neighborhood associations Foster green teams to educate on recycling Neighborhood expert Realtors provide information to new residents PTA -campaigns in schools Neighbors help senior citizens carry out recyclables Container Ideas -External Smaller recycling blue cans Container that work -standards Have a smaller trash can Color-coded containers with symbols Workstation containers to help sort Split bins Multi-can cart Have only small garbage cans Bin decides how to sort Transparent trash cans Smart chute (decides what bin) City street recycling bins Public color-coded bins Address locking exterior bins Smart key Lockable containers Container Ideas -Internal Uniform containers Standardize internal collection equipment Crushing tool to compact recycling Provide indoor bins Systems for new homes House design with bins in kitchen Property Managers Take story to apartments and condos Certifications for participation Require property managers to inform/train tenants Give free presentation to all property managers Give contextlbig picture presentations Include property managers in all business communications Involve property managers in education of wasters Go to property managers -make it easy! Make it convenient Work creatively to find space Require recycling as part of utility bill/services Incentives for tenants Rewards based on number of tenants recycling Low rental costs -pick up Minimum service level based on number of units Require property managers to offer services and education Requirements in lease agreements Publicize successful tenants/property managers Get property owners on board to influence property managers Certified "green" property management companies Publish grade for property in ads ATTACHMENT B (650) 496-5910 zerowaste@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org/recyclingordinance Frequently Asked Questions Palo Alto Recycling and Compost Ordinance City staff is currently developing a Recycling and Composting Ordinance (find more information at www.cityofpaloalto.org/recyclingordinance). Staff recently completed a second series of community meetings to obtain feedback on proposed elements of the ordinance. This FAQ document addresses a number of the common questions from these community meetings. Q1: Why is the City of Palo Alto developing a Recycling and Composting Ordinance? A1: The ordinance is one of the tools included in the City’s Zero Waste Operational Plan developed by a citizen’s task force and approved by the City Council in 2007. It would be an additional tool to help eliminate the remaining 43% of recyclables and 29% of compostables (food scraps and yard trimmings) in our garbage containers and achieve our community zero waste goal by 2021. Q2: Do other cities have recycling ordinances? A2: A number of other cities have instituted similar ordinances such as San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle. Virtually all of these communities have found participation increases simply with the passage of the ordinance, coupled with extensive public education, regardless of enforcement mechanism. By relying heavily on education in their enforcement process, other cities have used penalties only as a last resort to handle egregious violators. This is the proposed approach of Palo Alto’s ordinance. Q3: Has an ordinance already been written? A3: No. At this point we are still developing the elements that might be incorporated into a draft ordinance. Community input from residents and businesses is being used to help shape this ordinance. Q4: How can I provide input on the ordinance? A4: You can take our on-line survey available on our website at www.cityofpaloalto.org/recyclingordinance, or you can e-mail comments to us at zerowaste@cityofpaloalto.org. Our website will provide updated information on the ordinance development process as it becomes available. Q5: When would the ordinance go into effect? A5: The effective date is uncertain at this time. The City Council will discuss this issue at a Council meeting before making any decisions on a proposed ordinance. Staff is still collecting public comment and working on the ordinance development. Q6: Would inspectors search my garbage? A6: No. Garbage collectors currently perform a cursory visually check of containers to make sure they don’t contain hazardous materials (like computer monitors, fluorescent tubes, etc.) that are prohibited from the garbage. The “inspection” process for this ordinance would merely be an extension of this current activity – garbage collectors will just look at what can be seen when they open the container to take it to the truck for dumping. It will not involve opening garbage bags or auditing garbage. Q7: How would the City determine who complies with the ordinance? A7: Since garbage collectors will perform a cursory visual check, recyclables will have to be present in the garbage in significant quantities to trigger a notification tag. While the proposed ordinance sets a 10% acceptable level for incidental recyclables in the garbage, in practice we expect the level would have to be much greater to trigger a notification tag. Q8: Can I still place my garbage in a plastic bag? A8: Yes. You may continue to wrap your garbage in a plastic bag and tie it up; nobody will be unwrapping bags of garbage to look inside. Q9: Would I get in trouble for throwing away too much garbage? A9: No. The goal of the ordinance is to increase participation in our existing recycling and yard waste programs. Materials that are still regarded as garbage should continue to be placed in your garbage container. Q10: I’m confused about whether I can recycle certain items. Would I be fined for making a mistake? A10: No, a simple mistake would not result in punitive action. There is no intention of punishing people who are making a good faith effort to comply. There would be a 10% acceptable level of recyclables in the garbage and garbage collectors will perform only a cursory visual check, so recyclables will have to be present in the garbage in significant quantities to trigger a notification tag. In addition, enforcement would start with a series of notifications and reminders, coupled with education, so a one-time mistake would not result in any kind of penalty. Q11: Will I be fined if a jogger or other passerby throws recyclables in my garbage bin? A11: No. The amount of recyclables would have to be significant to trigger any action (see A10, above). Also, even if your garbage bin were to be tagged by the garbage collector, you will be able to contact us to so we understand the problem and you won’t be held accountable for the unauthorized dumping (particularly if it’s an on-going problem). Q12: Would the City need to hire people to enforce this ordinance? A12: No. I p pe I Vi I Pia ---- - ATTACHMENT C • leo y tal ,. www_greenwaste_com/paJoalto (650) 493-4894 Hazardous Waste Program Programa de Desechos Peligrosos ':,,',N'/I. C, [yofpal oalto ,org /hCl zwastf! (650} 496-6980 : --. _ -' .~ ',-_.' .-.-. '. '. --: ---. =:. • . - DETAILED MATERIAL GUIDE RESIDENTS RECYCLABLES -Please place all recyclable materials in your blue recyclables container. Contents of cart cannot exceed weight limit of 200 Ibs. All items must fit inside the recyclables container with the lid closed. METAL • Aerosol cans (empty, non-hazardous) • Appliances, small metal (e.g., toaster, blender) • Building materials (e.g., metal, plumbing fixtures) • Cans (e.g., food, beverage, pet food) • Foil, foil trays, pans • Furniture PAPER (staples, tape okay) • Bags (e.g., white, colored, non-metalic) • Books (e.g., hard/soft cover, telephone) • Boxes (e.g., cereal, cracker, tissue, shoe, mailing) • Carbonless (e.g., receipts) • Cardboard (flatten, unwaxed) • Catalogs • Colored, white, glossy GLASS (clear and colored, except blue and red) • Bottles • Hardware (e.g., keys, nails, screws) • Household items (e.g., pots, pans, trays, utensils) • lids, caps • lig hti ng fixtu res • Paint cans (empty, no excessive residue) • Pipe • Egg cartons • Envelopes (e.g., Fed-Ex, UPS, plastic window okay) • Frozen food packaging • Junk mail • Magazines • Manila folders • Newspaper (inserts okay) • Jars FILM PLAS'rlCS (Please place inside a clear plastic bag and knot the top of the bag) • Bags (e.g., bread, dry clean, grocery, newspaper, • Case wrap (e.g., beverage container, snack flats) produce, merchandise, zip lock) • liners (e.g., cereal box) • Bubble wrap • Pallet/shrink wrap PLASTICS (all types, with or without a number) Note: Polystyrene aka Styrofoam® is NOT accepted • Auto parts (small) • Computer housing • Bottles (e.g., beverage, laundry and household cleaners, • Crates personal care products, prescription) • Drums • Baskets • lids • Buckets • Flower pots • Cartridges (e.g., toner, ink jet, printer) • Food containers (e.g., cottage cheese, margarine, • Coolers yogurt, take-out) ELECTRONICS (anything with a computer chip) Note: Televisions and computer monitors NOT accepted --greenw 01 pello aloo 650.493AB94 • Scrap metal • Sporting goods • Toys • Tools • Trays • Umbrellas • Non-metalic wrapping, tissue paper • Paper ream wrappers • Photographs • Self-stick notes • Shredded paper (tie in a clear plastic bag) • Plastic packaging wrap (e.g., wrap from toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, diapers) • Shipping envelopes (labels removed) • Pet carriers • Pipe (non-PVC) • Product packaging • Shelving • Toys (e.g., pools, play structures) • Trays • Appliances (e.g., coffee maker, microwave oven) • Computer mouse, cables • Pager • Camera • Fax machine • PDAs • Calculator • Home entertainment (e.g., game system, DVR, VCR, • Printer • Cell phone (inside clear tear-resistant bag) stereo, radio) • Scanner • Computer (e.g., desk top, lap top) • Keyboard City of Palo Alto Revised 2-24-10 DETAILED MATERIAL GUIDE RESIDENTS -- YARD TRIMMJNGS-Please place all yard trimmings in your green yard trimmings container. greenw 01 pello aloo Contents of cart cannot exceed weight limit of 200 Ibs. All items must fit inside the yard trimmings container with the lid closed. 650.493.4 89 4 ACCEPTABLE ITEMS include: • Branches, stumps* • Leaves • Wood chips*** • Flowers • Lumber*** • Wood waste*** • Grass clippings • Plants, shrubs • Holiday trees** • Sawdust*** Not Accepted (Place in garbage): Animal waste, bamboo, cactus, dirt, flax, ivy, painted or treated wood, palm, pampas grass, poison oak, sod, stable bedding, yucca 'Bronches must be less than 6 inches in diameter and shorter than 4 feet in length. "Undecoroted, unnocked, remove stands, tinsel and decorations. Tree sections must not exceed 4 feet in length . ••• Must be untreated/unpainted to be considered accepted in the yard trimmings sedion. WASTE REDUCTION /ZERO W ASTE-It is the goal of GreenWaste of Palo Alto to help the Palo Alto community reduce the amount of waste that is landfilled! Palo Alto has a goal of zero waste to landfills by 2021 . Zero waste goes beyond recycling by taking a whole systems approach to managing the flow of resources. For more information on how to help Palo Alto reach zero waste, please visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/zerowaste. Reduce: Many materials that end up in the garbage start at the store. When shopping for groceries or other products, please do your port to prevent waste by selecting items that have minimal packaging and bring your own reusable bogs. Reuse: A significant portion of garbage in the waste stream is generoted by using disposable products that could be replaced with reusable items, integrate reusable items into everyday activities such as using reusable containers when bringing food or drinks to work. Recycle: Materials that have historically been garbage may now be recycloblel Donate: Items that are in good condition and are no longer useful to you may be donated to thrift stores, consignment shops, antiques stores and nonprofit groups. Find a second home for items that were once your treasure by contacting a local organization that accepts donated items for reuse. Please contod customer service at (650) 493-4894 or visit www.greenwaste.com/poloolto for a list of local reuse organizations. The list below includes commonly donated items that are accepted by local organizations: • Art & craft supplies • Bikes • Books • Speakers • Audio CD's • Carpet & rugs • China/porcelain Goodwill Industries 4085 EI Camino Way Polo Alto, CA 94306 Tel: (650) 494-1416 • Dishes & utensils • Desks • Eyeglasses • Furniture • Household items • Jewelry • linens Salvation Army Tel: 1-800-SA-TRUCK (728-7825) City of Palo Alto • Mirrors • Musical instruments • Pots & pans • Shoes • Small appliances (e.g., hair dryers, coffee makers, telephones, etc.) • Sporting goods Friends of Palo Alto Library Tel: (650) 213-8755 Revised 2-24-10 DETAILED MATERIAL GUIDE RESIDENTS -- G ARBAGE-Please place all NON-reusable, NON-recyclable, NON-compostable and NON-Hazardous items in your garbage container. greenw 01 pello aloo Contents of carl cannot exceed weight limit of 200 Ibs. All items must fit inside the garbage container with the lid closed 650.493.4894 COMPOSITE MATERIALS • Aseptic containers (e.g., juice boxes, soy milk) • Foil wrapped beverage pouches (e.g., Capri Sun®) • Photographs -Polaroid PAPER • Carbon paper • Newspaper (dirty w/ paint, pet waste or food/grease) • Thermal fax paper • Padded envelopes • Stickers (in sheets or rolls) GLASS • Ceramics • Dishware • Windows • Cookware-glass (e.g., Pyrex TM) • Mirrors PLASTIC • Disposable razors • Rubber bands • Toothpaste & ointment tubes • Hoses (e.g., car, garden) • Tarps • Webbing/mesh from lawn furniture EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE (Styrofoam®) • Cups and plates • Foam packing (e.g., blocks) • Packing "peanuts" • Egg cartons -molded foam • Meat trays HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE -These items can not go into the garbage , recycling or comp o slobl es co nta i ner for coll ect ion. For addi tional in form a tion on pro per d ispos al, cont ad the Ci ty's Haza rd ous Waste Program at (650) 496 -6 980 . • Auto fluids (all except motor oil) • Fluorescent light bulbs (tube) • Prescription drugs (no controlled substances) • Brake fluid • Mercury thermometers & thermostats • Propane tanks (BBQ or camp stove only) • Car batteries • Motor oil mixed with antifreeze • Sharps & syringes • Cleaning fluids • Paints • Solvents • Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) • Pesticides & fertilizers • Transmission fluid • Fire extinguishers • Pool & spa chemicals Household Hazardous Waste ACCEPTED at the curb: Used Motor Oil, Oil Filters and Household Batteries. To recycle motor oil and oil filters at curbside, you must use FREE GreenWaste issued oil jugs and filter bags because they ore designed to prevent leaks. To recycle household batteries, such as M, AM, D or Nickel Cadmium put inside a sealed clear tear-resistant bag and place next to your recycling container. Place filled oil jugs and filter bag on curb near your recycling cart for collection. Oil mixed with antifreeze, transmission fluid, or any other automotive fluid will not be collected. To order FREE oil jugs, filter bags and battery bags, please contact Customer Service Department (650) 493-4894. OTHERSTUFF Large Item Collection: You can have bulky items, such as sofas, refrigerators, televisions or tires picked up at your curb for a small fee. To schedule a pick up appointment please contact Customer Service Department 48 hours before your next scheduled pick up day. Extra Services: Please contact Customer Service Department at (650) 493-4894 to arrange for extra pick up of garbage or to order a debris box. City of Palo Alto Revised 2-24-10 Paper / paper products – cardboard, junk mail, newspaper, cereal boxes, catalogs, magazines Metal – food & beverage cans, foil, lids & caps, small appliances, scrap metal Plastic – bottles, food containers, product pack- aging, flower pots, broken toys Film plastics – grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, case wrap (ie, beverage container, toilet tissue), cereal box liners Electronics – computer, printer, scanner, fax machine, DVD player, keyboard Yard trimmings – grass clippings, leaves, branches, flowers, holiday tree Recycle. It’s not garbage anymore. We noticed recyclables in your garbage today. When we picked up your garbage today, we no- ticed that there was a significant amount of recy- clables in your container. The following materials were in your garbage container: These items can be recycled! Please be sure to place recyclables and yard trimmings in the proper container. Call or visit our website to obtain a recycling guide, recyclables list and more information: 650-496-5910 www.cityofpaloalto.org/zerowaste Why waste a good thing? ATTACHMENT D Potential Special Provisions for Recycling and Composting Ordinance Requirements for Specific Facility Types and Situations While the Ordinance would apply to all types of waste generators in Palo Alto, certain kinds of waste generators will necessitate special requirements due to specific circumstances and limitations. Property Managers/Multi-unit Buildings and Complexes OWners or managers of multi-unit complexes, condos, and multi-tenant commercial properties that maintain shared recycling, composting and garbage services will not be responsible for compliance by tenants. However, owners and managers of these types of properties will be required to subscribe to appropriate service levels for recycling and composting, and maintain appropriate, properly labeled containers in locations convenient for tenant use. They will also be required to provide training to tenants, employees, and contractors, including janitors, on what materials go in each container, and re-educate tenants, employees, and contractors at least once per year. City staff and GreenWaste Outreach Coordinators will provide assistance in training of tenants, employees and janitorial staff. Owners and managers of multi-unit complexes will be required to supply each tenant with an in-unit recycling bin (Recycle Buddy) provided by GreenWaste of Palo Alto. Hotels A hotel, motel or similar lodging facility will not be held responsible for compliance by guests, if the facility has a method and system for guests to recycle materials within individual rooms and common areas. This system shall include instructions for the guests on the means of recycling, as well as the fact that placement of recyclable material in the garbage is prohibited by the City of Palo Alto. Hotels and motels will be responsible for compliance with the Ordinance in all other respects. Pu blic Litter Cans The owner or entity responsible for existing public litter cans will not be held responsible for compliance by the general pUblic. After [Date TBD], the owner or entity responsible for new, upgraded or replaced public litter cans will not be held responsible for compliance by the general public, if the litter can provides an opportunity to separate recyclables from garbage, either through design of the litter can or by provision of an adjacent dedicated recycling can. Unauthorized Dumping On a case by case basis, a garbage customer will not be held responsible for recyclables deposited by the public in curb/alley containers located outside a premise on a public street or alley if the customer demonstrates to the Director of Public Works (or designee) that (a) the public was the source of the recyclables, (b) the customer has implemented an internal recycling and/or compo sting collection program and subscribes to appropriate service levels for recycling/composting, and (c) for commercial customers the garbage container is kept locked when unattended.