HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-20 City CouncilCity of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS
DATE:SEPTEMBER 20, 2004
SUBJECT:CITY OF PALO ALTO’S
ACTIVITIES
CURRENT WASTE
CMR:398:04
REDUCTION
This is an informational report on the current waste reduction activities that are
performed in the City of Palo Alto, 6ompiled at Council’s request. No Council action is
required.
BACKGROUND
At the City Council meeting on August 2, 2004, Council asked that staff prepare a Waste
Reduction Strategic Plan for the City. Staff will return to Council in Spring 2005 to
present an outline of the Plan. This report highlights current waste reduction activities
within Palo Alto. Refer to the Recycling Program’s Annual Report for 2003 (Attachment
A) which documents waste reduction, reuse, recycling and buy-recycled efforts and
programs.
DISCUSSION
According to the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, waste reduction
(or prevention) is at the top of the waste management hierarchy of reduce, reuse, recycle,
and buy recycled content. Waste reduction is the preferred approach to waste
management because waste that is never created does not have any associated waste
management costs. Waste reduction can also conserve resources and energy and reduce
land, air and water impacts. For true waste reduction to be effective, world-wide
industrialized systems will have to require change to address design, extraction of
resources, production and distribution. Few of these changes can be implemented at the
local level; such changes require actions at a state or national level. However, factors
than can reduce waste such as behavioral changes and consumption practices begin
locally and are an effective strategy to reduce waste.
It is difficult to quantify the effectiveness or success of individual waste reduction
programs because one is being asked to measure waste that has not been produced.
Waste reduction programs are often quantified utilizing random sampling survey data,
performing calculations, and then extrapolating those results to the community. Data and
records for waste reduction programs are often limited.
CMR:398:04 Page 1 of 5
According to the 1997 Palo Alto Waste Generation Study, Palo Alto businesses were
surveyed on their waste generation and diversion practices. Most businesses responding
to the survey reported they were practicing some type of waste reduction, including
purchasing material/products with recycled content, purchasing durable materials, and
purchasing reusable and recyclable materials.
The City of Palo Alto has achieved a high level of success in diverting waste from
landfills. The following waste reduction activities are among those that have contributed
to this success:
Economic Incentives
Implemented a variable garbage, rate utilizing volume-based pricing for residents and
businesses.
Increased disposal fees at the Palo Alto landfill to encourage waste reduction and
recycling over disposal.
Eliminated the Palo Alto Landfill Dump Pass Program; discontinuing free disposal to
PaloAlto residents.
City of Palo Alto Sustainability Plan: Identification of indicators, setting goals, and
annual review of plan to reduce the amount of solid waste generated within the City of
Palo Alto. Results reported to City Council annually.
Waste Audit Pro~am: Recycling Program staff provides on-site auditing services to Palo ¯
Alto businesses at no additional cost. The audit is designed to evaluate a business"
potential for waste reduction, reuse, recycling and buying-recycled, and to assist with
program implementation.
Pro~ams/Activities/Events
Junk Mail Reduction Program: The program educates and provides residents, city
employees, and businesses with tools to reduce unwanted mail. Residents can request
a kit with pre-addressed post cards and phone numbers to call for reducing unwanted
mail. Businesses can request a plan outlining how to implement a junk mail reduction
program for their business.
Green Business Program: The City of Palo Alto is a partner city of the Bay Area
Green Business Program. Recycling Program staff work with businesses enrolled in
the Program to audit and implement waste reduction programs.
Recycling Wizard: The Recycling Wizard provides waste reduction, reuse, recycling
and composting education in assemblies at Palo Alto schools, grades K,5, and at
community events to adults and children of all ages.
Home Composting Workshops: In addition to composting, the waste reduction
practice of grasscycling is taught at compost workshops. Grasscycling is the natural
CMR:398:04 Page 2 of 5
recycling of grass by leaving clippings on the lawn when mowing, eliminating the
disposal of the clippings.
Community Events: Recycling Program staff organizes and attends community
events and provides educational information on waste reduction, reuse, recycling,
composting, and buying recycled content products. Events include: employee fairs at
Palo Alto businesses, Earth Day, America Recycles Day, Community Services
Department special events (Moonlight Run, May Fete Parade, Chili Cook-off,
Festival of the Arts, Twilight Concert Series, Dog’s Best Friend Run, Halloween
Haunt and Winterfest). Additionally, depending on the event, a children’s activity,
using used materials, is often included in the outreach effort (e.g. newspaper hat
making, "Recycle" Twister®, kaleidoscopes )
Campaigns
Local: Periodic promotions are created to target a specific strategy to reduce waste in
the community. In these campaigns, a tool is distributed to encourage a behavioral
change. Recycling Program staff has targeted grocery stores in Palo Alto as locations
to distribute reusable shopping bags to shoppers as they enter the store, eliminating
the need for paper or plastic shopping bags. Staff has also targeted coffee shops
within Palo Alto to distribute reusable .commuter mugs to customers entering the
coffee shop, eliminating the serving of the beverage in disposable cups.
Countywide: Recycling staff collaborate with other public outreach educators on
various waste reduction education campaigns. The campaigns include newspaper,
movie theatre screen, and radio advertising. Past campaigns include:
"Paperless...It’s Better for Business"- campaign promoting paper waste reduction
in the business sector. The campaign promoted double-sided copies and electronic
editing and distribution versus printed copies.
"Give An Experience"- holiday campaign encouraging the gift of an "experience"
(ex. a concert, museum membership, etc.) versus wrapped, packaged material
goods that will ultimately become part of the waste stream.
Regional: Recycling staff collaborates with the Bay Area Recycling Outreach
Coalition (BAYROC) on regional waste reduction campaigns. Outreach includes
newspaper, radio, printed shopping bag, and in-store advertising. Campaigns have
included Shop Smart/Save Money and the Environment Too- Bay area wide
educational awareness campaigns that promoted buying the largest size possible to
reduce packaging waste and Junk Mail- Reduction of unwanted mail.
City Staff/Facility Waste Reduction :
The following is a partial list of waste reduction practices employed by City facilities and
staff:
CMR:398:04 Page 3 of 5
Leasing equipment versus purchasing (i.e. copiers) to reduce equipment
replacement
Copiers with scanning and duplexing features to reduce printed copies
City Council packet policy of double-sided copy requirement to reduce paper
Electronic mail, editing and distribution of documents to reduce paper
Providing reusable coffee mugs to employees to reduce disposables
Junk Mail Reduction Program in all departments to reduce unwanted mail
Sharing publications to reduce the number of subscriptions
Use of less toxic maintenance products
Mulching mowers and grasscycling practices in use in landscape maintenance
Electronic fingerprinting at Police Department
Fleet services systems that recirculate cleaning fluids to reduce the generation of
hazardous waste
Conversion of less toxic methods in printing and maintenance services to reduce
hazardous waste
City of Palo Alto Golf Course equipment, Landfill heavy equipment and PASCO
collection vehicles are currently using B-20 biodiesel to reduce carbon dioxide,
particulate matter emissions, hydrocarbon emissions, and carbon monoxide
emissions.
The Recycling Program disseminates waste reduction information to the public primarily
through printed materials. The methods used for distributing the waste prevention
message include:
Community Recycler Newsletter- distributed to all Palo Alto residents via the Palo
Alto Weekly
Business Recycler Newsletter- distributed to all Palo Alto businesses via US Mail
Utility Bill Inserts and Announcements--distributed to all Palo Alto Utility
Account Holders
Newspaper Advertising--Palo Alto Weekly, Palo Alto Daily, San Jose Mercury
News
Recycling Program Brochures--available upon request, distributed at
events/libraries/Civic Center, and Recycling Center kiosk
Trash Busters--monthly waste-related segment on "City Beat" cable channel
program
Movie Theatre Screen Advertising--slides shown prior to showing of the feature
film at Palo Alto Square Cinema and Century Theatres
Chamber of Commerce publications--print ads in Palo Alto Chamber Map,
Festival of the Arts Guide, Chamber of Commerce Newsletter
Info Palo Alto--annual guide of the City distributed to all Palo Alto residents
Presentations--Recycling Program staff deliver presentations, on request, to
community and business groups, businesses, schools
CMR:398:04 Page 4 of 5
Recycling Center Tours--tours, on request, of the Palo Alto Recycling Center,
composting and landfill facilities
Recycling Program Web Site--information on City programs and links to other
resources
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: 2003 Annual Report
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
MIC~A.E/~I3. JACKSON
Depqty Director of Public ,Works,/Operations
GLENN S. ROBERTS
Director of Public Works
Assistant City Manager
CMR:398:04 Page 5 of 5
ATTACHMENT A
City of
Calendar Year
Report prepared by Annette Puskarich
Table of Contents
Landfill Diversion Trends ........................................................Page 1
Programs ..............................................................................Page 2
Events/Projects ....................................................................Page 13
Awards ...............................................................................Page 15
Recycling Tonnages .............................................................Page 16
Market Conditions ...............................................................Page 17
Program History ..................................................................Page 21
Landffil Diversion Trends
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
1990 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Year
2000 2001 2OO2
Year
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1990
Percentage of Waste
Diverted
From Landfill*
55.0
61.0
59.0
59.0
5710
52.0
48.8
39.6
17.9
California Integrated Waste
Due to the economic downtum of 2002, Palo Alto’s diversion rote decreased for that year. The Adjustment
Method, as used by the California Integrated Waste Management Board for estimating generation rotes, which
in turn effect diversion rotes, uses population, taxable sales, employment, and Consumer Price Index as
factors. Palo Alto was heavily impacted by a decrease in taxable sales, which negatively impacted the
diversion calculation.
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
Programs
Single Stream Pilot Program
The Pilot Single Stream Recycling Program, implemented
September 2002 to approximately 2500 single family
households and residential units of four or less, continued, The
collected material continues to be delivered to Waste
Management’s Davis Street Transfer Station, located in San
Leandro. The material is then transferred to Waste
Management’s Lodi facility for processing and marketing,
Responses to a survey of Pilot Program area residents, conducted February 2003, indicate residents are satisfied
with single stream recycling carts versus sorting recyclables into crates (93%) and the wheeled recycling cart color
(86%). Noise and traffic-related questions resulted in responses of reduced noise (47%) and traffic (41%) in
neighborhoods versus no chang~ m noise (39%) and Waffle (44%). 59% of survey responses indicated the volume
of recycling increased at their residence using the wheeled recycling cart. As for cart size, 59% preferred the 96
gallon wheeled cart, 32% preferred a 64 gallon wheeled cart.
Benefits of the single stream program are increased diversion from landfill through the expansion of materials
accepted for recycling and increased participation due to program convenience, resulting in decreased landfill
disposal costs recycling collection efficiency by PASCO, and convenience for residents. Due to the inability to
process the collected material locally at the PASCO processing yard, transportation and processing costg
increased, resulting in a lower price per ton paid to the City for the commodities collected, $15-20 per ton for
single stream recyclables, reduced from $71 per ton for source-separated recyclables.
Evaluation of the Pilot Single Stream Recycling is ongoing. It is anticipated, in 2004, the Public Works Deparmaent
will recommend the Program be implemented citywide, which would require City Council approval.
Yard Trimmings Pilot Wheeled Cart Program
The pilot program of wheeled cart yard trimmings collection, which coincided with the implementation of the pilot
Single Stream Recycling Program implemented September 2002, continued. The tonnage of yard trimmings,
collected in 96 gallon wheeled carts within the pilot area increased. The tonnage of yard trimmings self-hauled to
the comp0sting facility at the Palo Alto Landfill decreased and the overall tonnage of yard trimmings delivered to
the compost facility at the Palo Alto Landfill did not increase. It was concluded that this shift in tonnage from self-
haul to curbside was a result of the utilization of wheeled carts at curbside instead of residents directing
landscapers/gardeners to haul their yard trimmings from the premises.
Evaluation of the Pilot Yard Trimmings Program is ongoing. It is anticipated, in 2004, the Public Works
Department will recommend the Program be implemented citywide, which Would require City Council approval.
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
"Trash Busters"- A Feature of the City Beat Television News Magazine
City Beat, the 30- minute news magazine show airing on cable channel 26, filmed by the Media Center,
featuring three-minute interviews and highlights of Palo Alto programs, hosted by the City Commtmications
Officer continued. Two-minute "I’rash Busters" segments were filmed featuring the Recycling Program. Topics
prepared and filmed by the Recycling Program staff included:
e The Recyclopedia (An online reuse and recycling resource)
e Compost Workshops and Giveaway Days
*Earth Day
o Biennial Garage Sale
o Recycle Where You Play (Parks recycling expansion)
~2nd Chance Week (National campaign promoting reuse)
o Telephone Book Recycling
~Compost and Leaves in the Street
Downtown Recycling
To encourage recycling in public spaces, four
recycling receptacles were placed in the downtown
area of University Avenue. The recycling
receptacles, for the collection of bottles and cans,
were placed on high-traffic comers of University
Avenue where downtown visitors gather. The
manufacturer and style of the receptacle, Victor
Stanley, was selected to retain consistency with the
garbage receptacles and aesthetics of recent
downtown improvements. Custom plaques and
signage were placed on the receptacles. The
following locations were selected:
0
®
200 University Avenue @ Emerson Street- Lytton Plaza
201 University Avenue @ Emerson Street- Word Wrapps
278 University Avenue @ Bryant Street- Noahs
403 University Avenue @ Waverley Street- Taxi’s
The placement of recycling receptacles in the downtown area presented challenges. The receptacles, while
fitted with a special recycling lid and signage, collected a significant amount of garbage, The volume of garbage
that was placed in the receptacles contaminated the recycling to the degree that those receptacles must be
serviced as garbage. Contamination is a common occurrence for public recycling. While the recycling cannot
currently be collected as such, the recycling industry in general, believes the reinforcement of the recycling
message is important long-term message that outweighs the contamination issue. Bottles and cans recycling will
continue in the four locations downtown; however, there are no current plans to expand recycling collection in
downtown public places.
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
Recycling Wizard
The Recycling Wizard, a waste prevention and recycling education program for Palo Alto schools, reached
approximately 2,973 students, grades 1(-5, performing dufing~assemblies at the following elementary schools in
2003:
o Duveneck
o E1 Carmelo Escondido
*Hoover
*Palo Verde
*Walter Hays
*Addison
Assembly presentation sophistication was tailored to fit audience grade level. For the lower grades, natural
resource conservation, waste reduction, reuse, recycling and buying recycled are the main focus. The higher grade
levels received the same information with more detail, plus producer responsibility, product stewardship, and
composting information.
The Recycling Wizard also performed at select special
events. Events attended were:
Festival of the Arts
May Fete Parade
At the completion of the Wizard performances, giveaways
made from recycled materials, are distributed by classroom
teachers to every student. Giveaways included recycled
content shoelaces, pencils, carabine.r key chains, zipper .... ......
clips, and toothbrushes. Pencil erasers with the imprinted
message "Recycling Super Star" were also purchased as
giveaways. Additionally, teachers were given follow-up information to review with students after the assembly,
offering another exposure to the concepts presented and to reinforce the reduce, reuse, recycle, buy-recycled
message to the students.
Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Reuse and Recycling Ordinance
In response to a request from the City Sustainability Committee and City Council to address the waste generated
by C&D activities in the community, a C&D ordinance continues to be developed. The City Attorney’s office,
Public Works, and the Planning and Community Environment Departments are working together to draft an
ordinance and implement a program to the address Palo Alto’s trends of residential demolitions, new construction
and renovations consistent with California building trends. It is anticipated the ordinance will impact up to 500
permits, approximately six percent of the total permits issued by the City of Palo Alto Development Center.
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City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
The ordinance will target the salvage of used building materials for reuse, require a high rate of recycling for inert
material (ex. asphalt, concrete rock), and require a recycling rate for the remaining C&D debris that is supported
by the local C&D debris recycling infrastructure. The design of the program to implement the ordinance will take
into consideration the existing planning review and building pemait processes. An altemative to the C&D debris
recycling deposit system many jurisdictions have adopted, is under consideration, as well. A C&D debris reuse
and recycling ordinance and diversion program is anticipated for implementation in 2004.
Inert Materials Disposal Limited at Palo Alto Landfill
July 1, 2003 the Palo Alto Landfill entrance fees were changed to deter self-haul vehicles from disposing of inert
materials at the City Landfill. Residential rates for asphalt, concrete and rock materials were increased by 108
percent and limited to a maximum of two cubic yards per load for both residential and commercial customers.
Since the fee change at the Palo Alto Landfill, inert material tormage has decreased; however, there has been an
increase in waste being disposed of outside the City, at other disposal sites.
Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Box Recycling Pilot
July 1, 2003, Public Works, in conjunction with the Palo Alto Sanitation Company (PASCO) implemented a
program to divert C&D debris from the Palo Alto Landfill. Four PASCO debris boxes per day, determined to
be "rich" in recyclable C&D debris, were selected by PASCO for redirection from the Palo Alto Landfill to the
Guadalupe C&D Processing Facility in San Jose (Guadalupe). Guadalupe recycles wood, landscape material,
concrete, asphalt, rock, cardboard, and metal at a rate of 90%. During the period, July through December 2003,
2,786.91 tons of C&D debris was redirected from the Palo Alto Landfill to Guadalupe for processing.
Recycling Center Tours
Recycling Center tours continue to be provided on request. Eleven tours were conducted reaching 139
attendees. The age of the groups attending tours ranged from 6 years to Stanford Graduate students The two-
part tour includes the closed portion of the Landfill, the Landfill face and the Composting Facility, as well as,
the materials processing yard. A representative from PASCO leads the group on a tour of the sort line, baling,
and compacting operations of the processing center, while the Landfill Supervisor leads the Landfill portion of
the tour. A Recycling Coordinator conducts the introduction and wrap-up portions of the tour focusing on the
differences between waste prevention, reuse and recycling, and the importance of buying recycled content
products. At the completion of the tour, the children receive recycled content giveaways and/or a copy of Dr.
Art’s Guide to Planet Earth.
Bug Buster/Super Soil Workshops
The Recycling Program, in collaboration with Environmental Compliance, continues this workshop series
addressing less toxic pest control and composting. The goal is for workshop attendees to walk away with an
integrated approach to gardening. The one-hour each, pest control and compost workshops, were marketed
together and offered back-to-back on the same day.
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
The Bug Buster workshops were taught by a consultant, contracted by Environmental Compliance,. and the
compost workshops were taught by volunteer Master Composters from the Santa Clam County Master
Composting Program. Two of the workshops were held at Cubberley Community Center, while a third "special"
workshop was held at the Foundation for Global Commtmity (FGC). The Bug Buster/Super Soil workshops
offered in April, June, and September were well attended with 136 total attendees for the three workshops,
consistently drawing greater attendance than compost-only workshops, For the year, the compost-only
workshops and Bug Buster/Super Soil Workshops drew a total of 218 attendees. Palo residents received a
voucher for a reduced-cost Smith and Hawken BioStack compost bin at the completion of the workshops.
The "special" Bug Buster/Super Soil workshop held at FGC, a local nonprofit organization that fosters
sustainability within the community, included organic, fair trade coffee tasting by Peet’s Coffee. In addition,
partnerships for the workshop were extended to the City of Palo Alto Community Gardens, FC~’s Valley of
Hearts Delight organic food program, and Common Ground Organic Garden Supplies. The partnering
organizations were present for attendees to learn more about the programs offered by those partners. This
workshop, in particular, was very well attended with an attendance rate of 86 people, confirming this fresh
approach to existing programs can attract a new group of people to an activity.
Green Business Certification of Palo Alto Businesses
The City of Palo Alto, a partner in the regional Green Business Program coordinated by the Santa Clam County
Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission, assisted in the Green Business Certifications of four Palo Alto
Businesses. The Recycling Program provides assistance in the solid waste element of the certficafion process by
conducting waste audits, verifying waste prevention and recycling measures, and providing recommendations and
technical assistance to the businesses enrolled in the certification process.
Palo Alto businesses certified in the Green Business Program for 2003 include:
*Park Avenue Motors- Automotive repair facility
,Foundation for Global Community- Nonprofit organization that fosters sustainability within the
community
. Stanford Terrace lnn- Hotel
o Common Ground Organic Garden Supply- Retail organic garden/plant supply and educational center.
The City of Palo Alto, along with the cities of San Jose, Morgan Hill and Gilroy are the participating Green
Business Partner cities in Santa Clara County. To date, nine Palo Alto businesses have achieved Green Business
Certifications.
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City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
Clean-up Day Program
The Clean-up Day Program, an annual "on call" program for single family residents (or housing units of four or
less) t° dispose of unlimited excess debris and up to four bulky household items at the curb, continues. For the
calendar year 2003:
¯1,298 households requested clean-up day services
¯1,735 bulky items were collected (ex. furniture, appliances)
¯2,377 cubic yards of additional debris was collected from each household requesting the clean-up day service,
for an average of 1.83 cubic yards per household (Note: bulky items are not included in yards per household
or total yards.)
Slotted Shared City-Cardboard Bin Program
The shared city-cardboard bin program allowing businesses to
recycle their cardboard at one of numerous shared cardboard bins,
specially marked and placed throughout the city, continues.
Businesses typically participating in this program are small
businesses generating small quantities of cardboard that could not
justify a dumpster-type bin or businesses with space constraints
that could not accommodate a bin. Plans exist to expand the
Program in July 2004. Plans are to expand the program to 10 more
locations throughout the city, offering many more small businesses
the opportunity to recycle their cardboard.
Phone Book Recycling Drop-off
The Annual Phone Book Recycling Drive, which placed drop-offbins at select locations throughout the City, was
been discontinued. Due to the availability of mixed paper recycling collection for residents and businesses in crates
and wheeled carts at curbside, the drop-offlocations were no longer essential to the recycling of phone books.
The Palo Alto Recycling Center will continue to accept phone books all year.
City Parks Recycling
February 2003, bottles and cans recycling service
expanded to include l0 additional Palo Alto parks,
Custom-built locked enclosures, constructed from
recycled plastic lumber and designed to house a 64-
gallon wheeled cart were distributed to the parks.
Enclosure color varies by park and the Recycling
Program coordinated with the Parks Department to
select best enclosure color and location(s) for each
park. Plastic lumber choices for the enclosures were
Cedar or Forest Green. To avoid garbage
contamination, the enclosures were fabricated with a
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
special drop-in slot that restricted the size of material that could be placed in the enclosure. Bouleware, Juana
Briones, Cogswell Plaza, Johnson, and Peers Parks received one enclosure each, E1 Camino, Hoover,
Ram0s, Robles, and Seale Parks each received two enclosures. The enclosures are serviced by Palo Alto
Sanitation Company,
Special Events Recycling
The Special Events Committee, in collaboration with the Recycling Program, continues to require recycling at
special events held within the city as part of the event permit conditions. Blue, wheeled recycling carts for
collecting bottles and cans, are available to event organizers through Palo Alto Sanitation Company. Up to 20,
64-gallon wheeled recycling carts are available for each event at no additional cost when garbage service is
ordered. Recycling at special events and public places is significant in that it reinforces the recycling message,
allowing the public to continue their behavior of recycling as they would at home. Special events utilizing
recycling seryices were the Chili Cook-off, May Fete Parade, Festival of the Arts, Dog’s Best Friend Run,
Moonlight Run, and the California Avenue Street Fair.
Chili Cook-off Food Waste Composting ....
The Recycling Program, in collaboration with the Special Events Division of Recreation, collected food waste
from the Annual Chili Cook-off for composting. Prior to the event, the Recycling Program worked with
Recreation to reduce waste by creating a compostable chili tasting kit and guidelines for food vendors. The kit
included a paper-based cup for tasting chili, recycled content napkin, and a comstarch-based spoon.
Additionally, food vendors were contacted to discourage the use of plastic serving utensils and to provide
paper,based serving supplies instead.
The day of the event chili cook-off teams and food vendors were given a five-gallon bucket to collect food
waste from their booth. The Recycling Program provided outreach about diverting food waste by spealdng
with the food vendors individually at their food booth, addressing the chili cooking teams at their cooking
orientation, and with visits throughout the event to the chili team booths. Kiosks, comprised of wheeled carts
for food waste, bottles and cans, and garbage, were stationed throughout the event to serve food vendors,
chili teams, and event attendees.
The Chili Cook-off generated 0.23 tons of food waste, which was transported to Charles Street Transfer
Station, San Jose, by Palo Alto Sanitation Company. The food waste was subsequently transported to Z-Best
Composting Facility, Gilroy, where it was composted using the Ag-Bag method of composting.
Public Education
Camps
The Recycling Program partnered with Recreation in their Summer Camp offerings at Camp Green
Thumbs and Bay Camp, to reach 240 children. The camps targeted children 6-8 and 9-11 years
of age. Recycling Coordinator presentations to campers included an overview of the "4R’s" (waste
prevention, reuse, recycling, and buying-recycled), in addition to an in-depth presentation specific
8
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
to the type of camp..
Camp Green Thumb, a camp about plants, taught backyard composting, including a hands-on
composting activity of building a compost pile.
Bay Camp, a camp about the plants and animals of the Bay, emphasized information about the
relationship between the health of the Bay, natural resources and their relationship to the
,,4R, s-.
Movie Theater Advertising
The Recycling Program, Environmental Compliance, and Utilities joined together to purchase a block
of advertising space at Palo Alto Square Cinemas. The Palo Alto Square Cinema is a 2-screen theatre
showing independent films and films with social conscience. Each department developed a slide for the
slide show preceding the showing of the feature film. The Recycling Program developed an ad
promoting the use of compost over toxic chemicals in the garden. The slide was shown in the theatre
the months of July and October.
Chamber of Commerce Map Ad
Annually, the Chamber of Commerce produces a Palo Alto street map. The maps are distributed by
real estate and relocation agents to potential residents. The maps are also available to residents and
businesses through the City and the Chamber. The Recycling Program scheduled the back cover of
the folded map for prominent placement of an ad. The ad promotes the Recycling Program with the
Program logo and message, "Use less, recycle the rest."
Recycling Program Web Site
The Recycling Program web site continues to evolve as a communication tool for the Recycling
Program. Recycling Program staff, in their efforts to promote waste prevention, incorporated
electronic communication via the web site for events (ex. electronic requests and pledging for
special events and programs). The Recycling Program web pages include information on upcoming
events, programs, current and archive issues of newsletters, the Palo Alto Landfill, the online reuse
and recycling resource, the RECYCLOPEDIA, and links to other web resources. Recycling
Coordinators maintain the web pages.
Community and Business Recycler Newsletters
Recycler newsletters provide residents and businesses with waste reduction, reuse, and recycling
information. Each newsletter issues features one theme, allowing the Recycling Program to provide
more in-depth information The Community Recycler Newsletter was published once in 2003, for
Earth Day. The Business Recycler Newsletter was not published in 2003.
Utility Bill Inserts
The Recycling Program produced seven Utility Bill Inserts for distribution to all residential
9
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Repor~
customers. Insert topics included:
o 2nd Chance Week (waste prevention and reuse resources)
Compost Workshops and Giveaway Days
e Earth Day (waste prevention pledge)
The Recyclopedia (online reuse and recycling resource)
o Citywide Garage Sale
e Parks Recycling
¯ Holiday Waste Prevention
Utility Bill Announcements
Short, three-line announcements were scheduled for insertion onto the announcement page of the
residential Utility Bill notifying or reminding residents of Recycling Program activities, programs and
services. Utility Bill Announcements are included, at the discretion of the Utilities Department, on
a space-available basis. When Utility Bill inserts are utilized, the respective scheduled Utility Bill
Announcement topic coincides. Announcement topics included:
Apartment Complex Recycling Services
Earth Day Waste Reduction Pledge
Citywide Garage Sale ....
Recycling at City Parks
Holiday Recycling Collection Schedule
Holiday Tree Recycling
Employee Programs
Recycling Program
The Recycling Program continues to promote reuse and recycling in the workplace. Employees
participate in programs offered within their work areas, as well as, utilize the Recycling Center
drop-off. Employees are encouraged toprevent waste through the use of reusable beverage mugs,
double-sided copying, using both sides of a sheet of paper, utilizing email communication, electronic
document editing, reuse of office supplies, and recycling numerous materials including: mixed paper,
newspaper, cardboard, bottles and cans, plastic bags/shrink wrap, fax/printer/copier cartridges,
bottles and cans, polystyrene, blueprints, dry cell batteries, and metal.
Two new city facility locations were added to City offices in 2003. City of Palo Alto Utilities
expanded to 1003 Elwell Court, The Information Technology division of Administrative Services
expanded to include 300 Hamilton, Both locations were added to locations served by the West Coast
Building Services recycling collection contract.
Employee Recognition Event
Annually, the Human Resources Department organizes an Employee Recognition Event. Recycling
Program staff participated on the planning committee to assist in the efforts of producing a low-waste
10
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
event. At the 2003 Employee Recognition, a hamburger BBQ, the following waste prevention and
recycling measures were implemented. As a result of these efforts, 78% of the.waste generated at the
event was recycled or composted:
Prohibition of plastic utensils and plates. Cornstarch-based utensils, recycled-content paper plates
and napkins were used.
¯Bottles and cans recycling at event.
¯Cardboard and plastic film plastics (shrink wrap, plastic bags/wrap) were collected fi:om food
preparation area for recycling.
Cornstarch-based utensils, paper plates, napkins and food waste were collected and composted.
The Recycling Program collected 260 pounds of compostable waste and transported it to the
Charles Street Transfer Station, San Jose, by Recycling Program Staff. The food waste was
subsequently transported to Z-Best Composting Facility, Gilroy, where it was composted using
the Ag-Bag method of composting.
Reuse A ctivity- Second Chance Week
Second Chance Week is a grassroots public awareness campaign held each October to promote
reuse, repair, resale and donation opportunities throughout California. During Second Chance Week,
local governments, community groups, reuse businesses, and other organizations work together to
hold activities geared towards giving reusable items that might otherwise, be thrown away a "second
chance." An employee activity called, "2nd Chance Connection", was organized as an opportunity for
deparlxnents to get rid of unwanted office furniture, equipment, supplies, etc. by making a cormection
with another department that could use those items.
Over a two-week period, employees were encouraged to identify unwanted items in their department
and post the availability of those items in the classified section of The Loop, the intranet employee
bulletin board. Items that were not claimed by another department were picked-up by the Recycling
Program and delivered to a reuse facility or recycled. TO encourage participation and make the activity
light-hearted, prizes were given for "Most Creative Posting,, "Most ’2nd Chance Connections’
Made", and "Most Unusual Item Posted".
While postings to The Loop were light for this firs~-fime activity, the activity was successful in raising
awareness of using The Loop as a tool for communicating with other employees. Since the "2nd
Chance Connection" activity, ongoing postings to The Loop have increased, indicating that employees
are considering reuse intemally, versus automatically sending unwanted items to the Stores Warehouse
for surplus or disposal. The smplus business has changed in recent years, so that for most items sent to
surplus, the time required to prepare unwanted inventory for auction and the money received in return
are no longer beneficial to the City.
Earth Day
Employees were asked to participate in a waste reduction pledge campaign that was part of a greater Palo
Alto community Earth Day activity (see Projects/Events section of this Report-Earth Day 2003 Waste
11
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
Reduction Pledge Campaign). The Earth Day activity focused on the "4R’s"- reduce, reuse, recycling,
buy-recycled. Using social-based marketing, employees were asked to make a commitment to one or
more of the "4R’s", by completing a pledge form, available on the web. Studies have shown that the use
of social-based marketing techniques, such as a "pledge", lead to greater follow-through and long term
behavior change. Employees that pledged to commitment to one or more of the "4R’s" and were entered
into a drawing to receive a reusable shopping bag as a prize (made from recycled content).
Junk-Mail Reduction Program
The Junk Mail Reduction Program for City facilities continues.
The Recycling Program conducts periodic follow-up, every six
months, with the junk mail "point person" from each department
to sustain the Program. Follow-up feedback on the Program
indicated that some departments are unable to perform the task
of contacting mailers due to their current workload. To address
this issue, the Recycling Program partnered with the Positive
Alternatives for Youth (PAY) Program to assist with efforts to
contact mailers for removal from mailing lists.
The PAY program is designed to help teens gain job experience and life skills, develop a
connection with their community and pursue positive alternative activities. PAY is a collaborative
program between the Palo Alto Unified School District, City of Palo Alto Community Services
Department, Jewish Community Center, Youth Community Services, YMCA and YWCA. Dozens
of teens from the PAY Program have assisted the City in reducing unwanted mail. In return, the
PAY Program teens have gained job experience and commtmication skills. At the same time they
have provided a valuable community service that reduces waste in the Palo Alto community. The
sldlls the youth develop include confidence, verbal communication skills when contacting mailers
regarding the removal of names from mailing lists, operating office equipment, and organizational
and time management skills. In addition, they learn first-hand the importance of reducing waste
before it starts.
The Junk Mail Reduction Program has seen a decrease in unwanted mail; especially bulk education
seminar mailings, eliminating staff time to sort and distribute this unsolicited mail. Mail Services staff
is pleased with the effectiveness of the program, which has decreased.the amount of mail delivered
to the City. The next scheduled date for weighing incoming mail, for comparison purposes, will be
conducted January 2004.
Utilities Department Wooden Utility Reels Reuse and Recycling
Recycling Coordinators worked with the Utilities Department at the Municipal Service Center to
initiate the reuse and recycling of the large wooden reels used by Utilities for sto~g cable. Past
practices of Utilities crews were to store the empty reels, dismantle, then Wansport them to the landfill
for disposal. This method was not only labor and time intensive, but sent reusable or recyclable
12
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
material to the landfall. A vendor was located that would collect the reels that were in reusable
condition and transport them to their facility where they would be refurbished. In 2003, one load of 30
reels, for a total of 10,484 lbs was collected.
Public Works Operations Annual Safety Meeting Waste Prevention
In efforts to reduce waste at work, the Recycling Program practices waste prevention measures
at the annual Public Works Operations safety meeting and luncheon. The Recycling Program used
reusable, durable flatware, dishes, table cloths, and napldns. The employees are appreciative and
receptive; ~d welcome the festiveness the reusable dishes add to the luncheon. The clean-up task
of the reusables was integrated into the coordination of the meeting and a team of employees
performed ~e clean-up.
New Employees Welcomed with Reusable Mug
New employees to the City are welcomed with a reusable travel mug for their beverages and a
letter, via email, introducing them to the Employee Recycling Program. The Recycling Program is
automatically notified of new hires via a monthly report generated by Human Resources. The
reusable mugs are popular and feedback indicates they enjoy this welcome ~ as a new employee.
Events/Projects
Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition’s (BayROC) Recycled Paper Campaign
BayROC is a coalition of Bay Area cities, counties, and organizations working together to raise awareness of
environmental concems in the greater Bay Area. In 2003, BayROC coordinated a recycled paper campaign,
promoting the purchase and use of recycled content paper. Palo Alto partnered with the cities of Santa Clara
County and BayROC on this campaign that included radio and print advertising. The Recycling Program
contributed information to the BayROC website regarding locations for residents and buisnesses to purchase
recycled content paper in close proximity to Palo Alto.
Earth Day 2003
Waste Reduction Pledge Campaign
The Earth Day 2003 activity for Palo Alto focused on waste prevention. Outreach was conducted in the
Community Recycler newsletter and utility bill insert asldng residents to make a commitment to the "4R’s"-
reduce, reuse, recycling, buy-recycled. Using social-based marketing, residents were asked to make a
commitment by completing a pledge form, available on the web, fax, or mail-in. Studies have shown that the
use of social-based marketing techniques, such as a "pledge", leads to greater follow-through and long term
behavior change.
13
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Repor~
195 residents pledged to commit to one or more of the "4R’s".and were entered into a drawing to receive a
reusable shopping bag as a prize (made from recycled content). The names of people pledging were listed in
the Palo Alto Daily, Palo Alto Weekly, the Recycling Program’s web site and in Frank’s Memo. The
publishing of names was used as a reinforcement of the need for accountability of the person maldng the
pledge.
May Fete Parade
The Recycling Program participated in the 2003 May Fete
Parade, the nation’s oldest non-motorized, children’s parade. The
parade energy-theme was, "Watt’s Up". Recycling Program staff
marched in the parade, wearing homemade, eye-catching foam
costumes. Staff members were a newspaper, cola can, and drink
bottle. The message of the Recycling Program to parade goers
was that reducing, reusing, recycling, and buying-recycled saves
energy.
Joining Recycling Program Staff in the parade this year was a
family from the Palo Alto community. The 11-member Clark Akafiff family, including children and
grandchildren, marched with the Recycling Program to promote the energy saving message. The Recycling
Program made sandwich board signs, with energy saving statistics about the "4R’s", and were worn by adult
members of the Akatiff Family. The Recycling Program is very popular with parade goers and was repeatedly
cheered throughout the parade route.
Community and Business Event Outreach
Festival of the Arts
The Recycling Program participated at the Festival of the ~4rts, an annual art and wine festival
held on University Avenue, with a table for community outreach to festival goers. This event
draws thousands of attendees. Recycling Coordinators answered questions and shared
Recycling Program information. The Recycling Wizard performed and entertained attendees,
with humor and juggling, while spreading the reduce, reuse, recycle and buy-recycled message.
Earth Day
Recycling Program staff participated in fairs organized by businesses for their employees onsite
at Agilent Technologies and Varian, reaching hundreds of employees. A Recycling Coordinator
attended the fairs, answered questions, and shared Recycling Program information. At the
Agilent Technologies fair, the Recycling Program coordinated with Agilent, for the second year,
to organize an athletic shoe recycling activity, which proved popular with Agilent employees.
14
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
Halloween Haunt
The Recycling Program joined the Halloween Haunt, an event sponsored by Open Space and
held at Foothills Park. The event featured a haunted walk for children, campfire, and activities.
The Recycling Program prepared a hat-making activity, enjoyed by 145 children, utilizing old
newspaper. To make the hat, newspaper is fitted to a child’s head and then folded and
manipulated into various style hats. The children then decorated their hat with halloween-themed
pictures (ex. spiders, bats) and other "doo-dads". The "doo-dads" were craft supplies, formerly
business discards, that had been donated to Resource Area For Teachers (R.A.F.T.) from
businesses wishing to reduce waste through reuse. The Positive Altematives for Youth Program
provided volunteers to assist the Recycling Program in the hat-making activity.
Awards
The Recycling Program participated in the Summer Festival and Chili Cook-off, sponsored by the City of Palo
Alto Recreation Department. The Recycling Program won awards for both "Best Vegetarian Chili" and "Best
Booth". The Recycling Program entered the Chili Cook-off, incorporating the "4R’s" into the design of the
chili-making and educational ouu:each booths. The Happy Cow Vegetarian Chili booth featured "happy"
cows preventing waste, reusing, recycling, and composting, with a country "Far Side meets Green Acres "-
type theme. Recycling Program staff and volunteers constructed the booth primarily of reused cardboard,
which was recycled after the event. Recycling Program staff re-wrote the words to the theme song of the 60’s
television show Green Acres, to fit the theme of the booth and be sung periodically throughout the day for
event judges and attendees.
Recycling Program staff developed a chili recipe and volunteer cooks, from the Public Works Department and
the community, prepared the chili. The outreach portion of the event booth included a "4R" display that event
attendees could put into practice at home, including junk mail kits for reducing unwanted mail, using reusable
15
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
cloth shopping bags, home composting, recycling curbside and buying recycled products. To promote waste
reduction, Recycling Program staff gave away reusable cloth shopping bags to everyone visiting the booth.
The Chili Cook-off traditionally draws thousands of people, which offered an excellent opportunity for
program education and outreach.
Happy Cow Vegetarian Chili Theme Song (Sung to the tune of Green Acres Theme)
Palo Alto is the place to be
Using less, recycling the rest is the life for me
Plastic grocery sacks are such a drag
Keep that plastic, just bag it in my cloth bag
Reducing waste is what I’d rather do
Donating for reuse is another clue
Recycling and composting should be your next tryst
Buying-recycled completes your 4R list
(Music only)Da data da da Recycling’s Great!
(Music only) Da da ta da da Less waste!
We’re on our way- 61% less waste to landfills today
Less waste everyday is our goal!
Recycling Tonnages
The overall recycling materials collected increased 1% from the year 2002 (46,724.35 tons) to 2003 (47,398.29
tons) (see Table 1 and Attachments). The residential and business curbside service and the recycling drop-off
center collected 15,129.75 tons. This is an increase of 6% from 2002. Recyclables recovered from the Landfill
totaled 22,832.93 tons, an increase of 5% from 2002 (14,298.44 tons). The SMART Station recovered 9,480.06
tons of recyclable material, a 12% decrease from 2002 (10,751.28 tons).
The attached tonnage reports (Attachments A, B, C, D) list materials collected by category and by type from the
Recycling Center, Landfill and the SMART Station.
[]Attachment A is the material collected at the Recycling Center and the Landfill, per month.
Attachment B reports the commodity price per ton, marketed from the Recycling Center and Landfill, for
each month and the average monthly price.
Attachment C lists the material diverted annually from the SMART Station.
16
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
Attachment D combines the annual tonnage ofmaterials collected from the Recycling Center, Landfill and
the SMART Station.
Market Conditions
In 2003, the total materials recovered from the waste stream increased 1.0% in tonnage (see Attachments and
Table 1).
PAPER
Local pricing
Cardboard prices began the year at $30/ton and ended the year at $58/ton. The high for the year was
$75/ton for the month of March. The low of $30/ton for the year occurred in January and February. The
average for the year was $51.83/ton.
Newspaper prices began the year at $55/ton and ended the year at $75/ton. The high for the year was
$80/ton for the month of November. The low for the year was $50 per ton occurring in February. The
average for the year was $71.67/ton.
Office Pack paper prices began the year at $60/ton and ended the year at $50/ton. The high for the year
was $60/ton for the months of January and March. The low for the year was $45/ton occurring in April.
The average for the year was $51.25/ton.
Mixed paper prices began the year at $44/ton and ended the year at $37.18/ton. The high for the Year
was $59/ton for March. The low for the year was $37/ton for the months August through November.
The average for the year was $43.26/ton.
PLASTIC
Local pricing
¯ HDPE (#2 colored bottles) prices began the year at $477.62/ton and ended the year at $620/ton. The
high for the year was $620/ton for the months November and December. The price during most of the
year remained consistent at $340.43/ton February through October. The average for the year was
$398.46/ton.
HDPE (#2 natural bottles) prices began the year at $347.62/ton and ended the year at $760/ton. The high
for the year was $760/ton for the months November and December. The low for the year was
$267.88/ton in March. The average for the year was $519.50/ton.
PET (#1 bottles) prices began the year at $1061.54/ton and ended the year at $1292,15/ton. The high
for the year was $1321.54 for November. The low for the year was $1061.47/ton in June. The average
for the year was $1,161.94/ton.
17
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
METAL
Local pricing
Scrap metal prices started the year at $35/ton, remained consistent at $40/ton February through August,
increased and ended at $45/ton September through December. The average for the y~ was $41.25/ton.
Aluminum can prices began the year at $2,442/ton and ended the year at $2,501.14/ton. The high for the
year was $2,501.14/ton in December. The low for the year was $2,174.33/ton in October and
November. The average for the year was $2,275.53/ton.
Mixed aluminum prices began the year at $260/ton and ended at $200/ton. The high for the year was
$264.39/ton in March. The low for the year was $58.50/ton, occurring in June. The average for the year
was $148.55/ton.
18
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
Glass*
Metal*
Plastic*
Other
Organic*
Other
Inorganic*
(concrete/
asphalt)
Goodwill4
Single Stream
Rec¥clin~ Pilot
C&D Debris
Box Rec¥clin~
SmaRT
Diversion
TOTAL
% Change Over
Prior Year
1,991.02
2,068.85
230.58
16,822.32
11,928.39
-91.38
36.64
N/A
N/A
7,579.22
45,586.99
1.7
2,018,36
2,305.13
228.24
15,674.10
12,479.93
92.51
40.75
N/A
N/A
8,055.44
46.233.12
1.4
11,690~33
1’930.47
1,081.93
214.75
15,606.85
5 319.97
83.69
43.29
N/A
N/A
8,571.72
44,543.00
-3.7
11,428.95
1,829.37
1,102.71
256.54
15,236.07
4,349.37
99.61
26.23
N/A
N/A
9,750.97
44,079.81
(1,0)
1,793.47
1,122.68
291.75
16,797.15
4 874.48
124.20
0.00
275.045
N/A
10,751.28
46,724.35
6.0
10,309.97
1,505.27
1,175.27
323.235
16,912.15
3,897.63
145.59
0.00
1,670.42
2.508.226
9,480.06
47,927.81
3.0
* Tonnages fi’om Recycling Center and Landfill
1 City of Palo Alto Recycling Program Commodity Reports: Diverted Material from the Recycling Center and Landfill;
Diverted Material from the SMART Station
2 Year 2001 numbers are corrected numbers and differ from those reported in Recycling Program 2001 Annual Report.
3 Year 2002 Paper numbers are adjusted and differ from those reported in Recycling Program 2002 Annual Report.
4 Goodwill drop-off trailer was removed, by Goodwill Industries, in 2001.
5 Single Stream Pilot began October 2002.
6 C&D Debris Box Pilot began July 2003.
19
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
White Paper7
Office Pack Paper
Mixed Paper
Glass
Scrap Metal
Steel/Bi-metal Cans
HDPE (#2 natural bottles)
HDPE (#2 colored bottles)8
PET (#1 bottles)
$30
$36
$75
$25
$24
$76
$15
$0
$2,117
$100
N/A
$817.91
$80
$60
N/A
$85
$47.26
$50.40
$20
$0
$2,441,05
$240
N/A
$994.26
$25
N/A
$70
$0.66
$78:78 $81.48
$25 $25
$23 $7
$2,454,57i $2,213.27
$561.83 $437,62
$331.83 $307.62
$1,057.46 $934.53
$55
N/A
$39
N/A
$60
$38!22
$80:59
$30
$18
$2,334.02
$477.62
$347.62
$1,030.43
$58
$75
N/A
$50
$37.18
$82.01
$45
$8O
$2,501.14
$760
$620
$1,292.15i
Other Programs and Projects
California Integrated Waste Management Board certified 65% landfill diversion level for the year 2002, in
accordance with the City OfPalo Alto’s compliance with AB939.
Reviewed Planning projects for Architectural Review Board for compliance with the City’s Municipal Code
requirement for recycling and trash enclosures.
Worked with PASCO troubleshoot problems with customers and improve education and collection service.
Participated in the Cotmty’s Public Education Subcommittee.
Established recycling collection and education programs at businesses throughout Palo Alto
Answered numerous requests from the public.
Managed contracts with West Coast Building Services, Northern California Paper & Pulp Company, Carl
and Manor Advertising, and Doug Nolan (Recycling Wizard)
Created signage at Recycling Drop-off Center.
Coordinated the Holiday tree collection at single family homes and apartment complexes.
Maintained the Recycling Center educational bulletin board.
Continued to update the business and multi-family databases:
Continued Public Works Operations office worm composting bin.
Coordinated backyard-composting workshops.
Conducted outreach to recruit Palo Alto residents into Master Composter Training Program.
7 White paper collected from commercial sector was downgraded to office pack and is no longer marketed as white paper.
8 September 2000 began the separate marketing of HDPE colored and natural
2O
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
2002
2001
Program History
Food Waste Composting Pilot discontinued March 11, 2002.
April 2002, monthly filming of"Trash Busters"- A Feature of the City Beat Television News
Magazine begins.
July 1, 2002, The Palo Alto Recycling Center expands drop-off collection to accept aseptic
packaging, #1-#7 plastics and plastic bags.
Single Stream Recycling Pilot Program began, October 2002, for single family residents.
Wheeled Cart Yard Trimmings Collection Pilot Program began, October 2002, for single family
residents.
Construction and Demolition Reuse and Recycling Ordinance begins development.
April 2002, Bug Buster/Super Soil Workshop series created.
"Clean-Up Day" program expands, July 1, 2002, to include four bulky items for collection at no
additional cost.
Slotted Shared City-Cardboard Pilot Program implemented for businesses.
Annual Phone Book Recycling drop-off locations last year, drop-offbin program discontinued.
Parks Recycling expansion to an additional 10 parks approved. Custom plastic lumber enclosures
ordered.
October 2002, the City of Palo Alto is certified as a "Green Business", by the Santa Clara County
Green Business Program.
The Recycling Wizard, a school assembly program, reached approximately 1,500 students,
grades K-5.
Special Events Committee implements recycling requirement at Special Events.
Carl and Manor awarded 2-year graphic design contract with Recycling Program.
Recycling Program parmers with Positive Altematives for Youth (PAY) Program at city facilities
Junk Mail Reduction Program.
®
Food Waste Composting Pilot began October 2001.
Backyard Compost Party Program introduced.
Pilot Junk Mail Reduction Program for city facilities began October 2001.
Community and Business Recycler Newsletters redesigned,
Utilities and Recycling Program collaborate on citywide Traffic Signal Retrofit Project, diverting glass
lenses, metal housings and wiring from landfill.
Recycling Program web site redesigned.
Recycling Center Tour Program revamped. Tour is a 2-part tour lead by Landfill Superyisor and
PASCO representative.
Recycling Coordinators gain access, from City Webmaster, to Recycling Program web pages in order
to manage the web pages.
Stores warehouse begins plastic fdrn recycling (shrink wrap, etc.) through Marathon Recovery
21
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
City begins purchasing "process chlorine free paper" 100% post-consumer recycled content paper.
City-wide garage sale Saturday, June 2, 2001.
Recycling Staff promote "Shopping Smart" with displays and Recycling Program Tote bag giveaway
at Safeway, Mollie Stones and Whole Foods grocery stores. Event held on February 3, 2001.
New Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) plck-up program for residents with physical limitations
began March 3, 2001.
Earthfest 2001 and Electronics Drop-off Event held April 21, 2001i 34 tons of electronics collected.
Sustainability theme and standards practiced at event.
Particpated in Cityworks Open House, March 12. 2001. Recycling Program had education outreach
booth, Shrink Art activity, and Recycle Twister game for children.
America Recycles Day Athletic Shoe Recycling Drop-off Event held November 17, 2001. One
thousand pounds of shoes collected and sent to Nike for recycling.
June 2001, Television and Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) recycling begins at Palo Alto Landfill.
Recycling Wizard program revamped. School assembly programs redesigned to appeal to grades
K-12.
2000
1999
1998
July 1, 2000, mixed paper added to curbside program (took the place of the interim program located
at local libraries).
July 1, 2000, colored #2 plastic bottles added to existing curbside program.
July 1, 2000, Landfill Dump Pass program ends.
Increased cost for commercial disposal of asphalt/concrete and rock .....
Added commingle of beverage containers and mixed paper service to multi-family residences.
Backyard Recycling Program (for residents with physical limitations) added.
Website redesigne~l.
Clean-up Day (two-year trial program) begins July 1, 2000 for single family homes only.
Online Recyclopedia launched. Reuse and recycling resources available online 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
Mixed paper drop off sites continue at local libraries and Greer Park, ....
Earth Day’s theme’is "Shaping a Sustainable Society". City departments work together to promote
local events. Recycling Program participates in "fair" at City Hall Level A and MSC Bldg C.
Califomia Integrated Waste Management Board confirms Palo Alto diversion increase to 59%.
"Dump Pass" issuance discontinued as of December 31, 2000.
City enters new contract agreement with PASCO.
Bi-armual Citywide Garage Sale event held on October 18, 1999.
Mini Bin pilot begins at City facilities.
Videotape Recycling pilot held at two local video stores,
Ten local businesses are recognized in 1998’s Business Recycling Awards.
22
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
1997
1996
1995
Earth Day’s theme is "A Sense of Place - Bringing Earth Day Home". City departments work
together to promote local events.
Recycling Center Open House is held to celebrate Earth Day and as a grand opening for the
renovated drop off area.
Base-Year changes in the Source Reduction and Recycling Element- PA diversion increases,
New Recycling Program logo symbolizes the protection of natural resources.
PASCO is sold to Waste Management.
Palo Alt0 is recognized for its Outstanding Organics Program,
Mixed paper drop off sites are added as an interim program.
Waste disposal characterization is performed and a Waste Generation Study is prepared.
Regional Business-to-Business Recycling Link meetings for Palo Alto, Mt. View and Sunnyvale are
held.
Backyard Composting Program survey and progress report is completed.
First home composting workshop is held for City employees only.
Curbside collection of oil filters begins.
A second School Wizard program is added with a focus on creating less lunch waste. Wizard
Program receives an honorable mention award from ASPA.
New school brochure is created as a joint effort with Utilities Marketing and WQCP.
Recycling Program begins to participate in the City’s New Employee Orientation.
Shredded paper and NCR (carbonless) paper are accepted as Mixed Paper.
A System is created to keep track of recycling tonnage from CC and building C at the MSC.
Residential mixed paper collection pilot program is implemented.
The City participates in the County’s Shop Smart Supermarket Campaign emphasizing the importance
of waste prevention and buying products made with recycled content.
Residential Household Batteries Curbside Collection pilot program begins.
VideotaPe pilot program begins at the Recycling Center and offers residents and businesses the
opportunity to drop off their unwanted video tapes.
Multi-Family Used Oil Collection Pilot program tests the effectiveness of used oil collection at
apartment complexes.
Phone books are added as a year round drop off material at the Recycling Center.
Glass Wine Bottle Reuse pilot program begins.
Weyerhaeuser stops collecting books and removes the recycling container from the library because
of low market prices for paper.
A Goodw~ Donation Station is placed at the entrance to the landfill to promote reuse and encourage
people to keep useable materials out of the landfill.
The Business-to-Business Recycling Link is established in cooperation with the Palo Alto Chamber
of Commerce.
23
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
1994
1993
Large scale demolition projects are required to submit a Waste Management and Recycling Plan
as a permit condition.
The Palo Alto landfill starts to use tarp as Alternative Daily Cover (ADC) in daily operations.
Weyerhaeuser Paper Company, in cooperation with the Recycling Program, places a recycling
container at Terman Park Library for Palo Alto libraries to recycle unusable books.
A partnership between volunteers, the Palo Alto Unified School District and the Recycling Program
is established to launch a district-wide recycling program for all elementary schools.
Backyard composting workshops are offered to residents and vouchers for the purchase of reduced-
cost compost bins are provided to attendees.
The annual Business Recycling Awards is held at a City Council meeting,
Palo Altans are awarded an "A" for recycling by the statewide environmental group Californians
Against Waste.
Recycled paper markets fluctuated with prices reaching record highs in the second quarter of the year
and then falling to record low prices.
o
o
®
o
0
Curbside recycling celebrates 15 years.
Plastic stacking containers for curbside recycling expands to all single-family homes.
Waste Reduction education and ad campaign is launched. Recycling Program’s new logo emphasizes
Reduce and Reuse, as well as Recycling.
First annual City-wide garage sale is held, promoting reuse.
City and Palo Alto Sanitation Company (PASCO) give "Pat on the Back" awards to 15 residents.
Hauling refuse to Sunnyvale Material Recovery and Transfer Station (SMART) begins. By fall 1994,
operator is required to recover and recycle at least 20 percent of what comes in as refuse.
Buy back Center begins at the SMART Station.
Yyvek recycling program begins at City facilities.
Glass and can recycling containers are provided for World Cup.
City’s staffprovides a 30-60 second slot on waste reduction for Channel 6.
Pilot program using plastic stacking containers for curbside recycling begins.
Pilot Stanford Research Park recycling program begins, providing weekly collection of five items, on
specific days of the week.
City provides recycling carts at no cost to apartments.
First free compost give-away day scheduled; future dates scheduled every 3-4 months.
A new mascot, the Recycling Wizard, begins attending school presentations and special events.
School outreach and Education Programs are designed to support environmental education curricula
for elementary-age classes.
Non-colored HDPE (plastic milk and water jugs) is added to the curbside recycling program.
Blueprint recycling is added to the drop-off and City Hall recycling programs.
Colored paper accepted for recycling at businesses and the drop-off center,
City implements the 20-gallon mini-can service level, It rewards those who are recycling and reducing
their waste with an additional price break.
Business Recycling Awards are presented at City Council meeting.
24
City of Palo Alto Re’cycling Program 2003 Annual Report
1992
1991
1990
1989
SMART Station recovers fires, scrap metal, precious metal and white goods on the tipping floor.
Loads delivered to the Palo Alto landfill are periodically checked for metal and cardboard salvage.
City Hall recycling program begins.
City Parks recycling program begins.
City rents a trommel screening equipment to improve the quality of the finished compost.
Ash from the City’s Regional Water Quality Control Plant is sent to Merced to be used as soil
amendment,
City adopts standard specifications requesting Contractors to recycle all concrete and asphalt
generated at the project site.
Annual contract to remove and recycle all inert solids stockpiled at the City’s Landfill begins.
Large appliances (washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, freezer and water heater) are separated for
recycling at the landfill’s worldng face. Rates am charged.
All clean scrap metals and automobile parts are recovered at the landfill for recycling~
White goods, scrap metal and tires are recovered from tipping floor at the SMART Station.
City staff provides one minute commercial on curbside recycling on Channel 6.
Magazines and non-colored HDPE (plastic milk and water jugs) recycling are added to the City’s
drop-offrecycling program.
Publication of newsletter, the Community Recycler, bet~ms. Residential and commercial editions am
published quarterly.
Antifreeze and oil filters are added to the City’s drop-offrecycling program for Palo Alto residents
only.
First annual waste assessment of City Hall garbage conducted.
City changes the refuse rate from a flat rate structure to a variable rote structure. With variable rates,
residents pay for only the amount of waste they generate, which provides an incentive to reduce their
waste if they want to pay less.
Two new program assistants are hired to assist with the implementation of AB 939.
*Shared recycling for the downtown area are set up by the Downtown Environmental Action Project.
*CFC (FreonTM) recovery from appliances begins.
*Polystyrene foam is added to the City’s drop-off recycling program. Bins are also placed at three
business locations. In 1993-94, foam food containers and all but two polystyrene drop-off sites are
eliminated.
~Pilot concrete/asphalt recycling program begins.
Curbside yard debris collection begins.
City procurement policy gives priority to buying recycled products.
Cardboard collection program for commercial and retail establishments begins.
25
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Repon
1988
City ordinance ~. uires retailers to offer consumers either paper bags only or a choice between paper
and plastic bags.
PET added to curbside collection.
1987
Pilot yard debris collection program begins.
Recovery of scrap metal begins at the landfill.
1986
1985
1984
1981
1980
1979
1978
Commercial/industrial recycling program begins, with city targeting free consulting services to large
businesses. By 1989-90, City actively promotes recycling to businesses of all sizes.
Restaurants/bar glass recycling program begins. City solicits locations to participate in glass recycling
operated by Circo Glass. By 1991-92, City primarily promotes glass recycling through PASCO.
Renewed publicity encourages apartment residents to recycle at the curb. Volunteer "Apartment
Recycling Coordinator" program begins.
Pilot collection program for recyclable materials for several large multi-family dwellings begins.
Curbside routes are adjusted to include most small and medium-sized apartment buildings.
The curbside recycling program is expanded to serve all ofPalo Alto’s single-family homes. PASCO
assumes operation of the curbside program.
Composting drop-offprogram goes full scale in July 1979, allowing residents to bring yard debris
at the City’s landfill.
A wood recovery area at the landfdl was established to accept clean, untreated construction wood
and pallets. The wood was available free of charge to the public, but this program ended because
contaminated wood was being dropped off, and not enough people were recovering materials,
causing a rodent problem.
A pilot curbside recycling program is initiated by the City to collect cans, glass, newspaper,
corrugated cardboard, motor oil, and small scrap metal items on garbage collection day.
Pilot composting drop-offprogram for yard debris begins.
26
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
1971
A drop-off recycling center is opened by the City at the entrance to the landfall. The Center accepts
~tin, aluminum and bi-meta! cans, glass, newspaper, cardboard, motor oil, white paper, and scrap
metal. The Palo Alto Sanitation Company operates the Center on City property.
27
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program 2003 Annual Report
E
v~ B
8
o
o
City of Palo Alto Recycling Program
2003 Annual Report
Total Diverted Matadal (tons) from the Recycling Center, Landfill and the SMART Station
Paper
Cardboard~rOffice pack paper
Mixed paper
Magazines
Phone books
Aseptic
Total Paper
Glass
Pilot tonnages
,Me~al IFerrous & Non-Fenous)
Scrap metal (includes steel)
Scrap metal from Landfill "
Sleel and BFmetal Cans
Aluminum cans
Scrap {mixed) aluminum
HDPE/colored and natural)
Pol,fstyrene
Other {plastics 1-7 & 3-7 from SMART)
Plastlc Bags J
Tires
Yard/Landscape "
Landscape material from MRF
Landscape matedal from wood room
Pallets
Other wood ~wooa overs)
Total Other Orgao~c
L DivorCed C&D Debrls Boxes "J
Asphalt & Concrete
Dirt
Household Hazaraous Waste
Auto batteries
Household batteries
Oil filters
Waste {Motor) Ol~
Antifreeze
CR Ts
Hazardous Waste - rec~/cled
Wastewater
I otal Household Hazardous Waste
Recycling Center SMART Station
2,464.29 790,33
4,193.48 N/A
474.35 0,00
3,020.57 1,949.70
129.32 N/A
13.82 N/A
7.61 N/A
6,53 N/A
10,309.97 2,740,03
1,505.27 1 89.531
1,670.42 I N/AI
918.14 1,142.21
0.00 N/A
160.25 49.20
55.02 16.11
41.86 3.35
1,175.27 1.210,87
117,90 57.63
138.39 37.47
23.06 N/A
18,96 0.00
24.92 N/,a
323.23 95.10
0.00 0.00
21.90 26.73
16,890.25 N/~
0.00 N/.~
0,001 1,606.41
0,00 632,70
0.00 0.00
0.00 503.75
!6,912,15 2,789.59
2,5o8.22 1 N/AI
N/A!433.67I
30.44 8,55
15.25 N/A
2,83 4,13
47.48 20.08
5.15 N/A
44.44 15.12
N/h 7.60
NIh 7.98
145,59 63.46
Other from SMART airs ace/shrinka e
* Landfill items only
o.ooJ 1,330.75]
38.447,75I
2003
Total Tons
3,254.62
4,193.48
474,35
4,970,27
129.32
13.82
7,61
6,53
13,050.00
1,594’801
1,670"421
2,060.35 I
0.00
209.45 I
71.13 I
45.21
2,386,14
175.53 I
175,86 I
23.06 I
18.96 I
24,92 I
418.33 J
0.00
48.63
16,890.25
0.00
1.606.41
632.70
0.00
503.75
19,681.74
2.508.22 ]
4,644.69]433.67
38.99
15.25
6.96
67.56
5.15
59.56
7.60
7.98
209.05
1,330.75 ]
2002 2002 -2003
TotaITons % Change
3,207.83 1%
4,350.40 -4%
411,12 15%
5,599.30 -11%
152.87 -15%
14.04 -2%
6.90 10°/=
1,45 350%
13,743,91 -5%
1,9o6.16 I -16°/ol
275.04 I 607%1
2,122.34 -3°/=
3.00 -100°/=
187.73 12%
57,52 24%
44.82 1%
2,415.41 -1%
181.15 -3%
183.55 -4%
17.99 28%
52,00 -64%
8.64 188%
443,33 -6%
0.00 0%
40.46 20%
16,776.53 1%
0.00 0%
1,256.53 28%
910.08 -30%
0.00 0%
668.12 -25%
19,651.72 0%
N/AI
5,572.160.00
-17%
41 .O8 -5%
9.69 57%
2.00 248%
23.02 193%
5.91 -13%
64.84 -8%
0,00
0.00
14,6.54 43%
I 2.570.08 1 ~8°/ol
[4~~
Attachment D
Palo Alto Recycling Program Annual ReporL Calendar Year 2003 Revised date: 8/12/2004