HomeMy WebLinkAbout0311.091-
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June 6, 1991
THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto, california
Polystyrene Recycling Pilot Program
Members of the Council!
Report in Brief
This is an intormational report to Council on the results to date
of the current Polystyrene Orop-off Recyclinq Pilot program, which
was illplp.mented November 1990, and the status of a proposed
ordinance which would restrict the use of non-recyclable food
service items. couneil action is not required.
BackgrQund
In April 19851, council d.irected staff to prepare an ordinance
banning non-recyclable, disposable polystyrene and rigid plastic
food service items. In early 1990~ the city Attorney prepared an
initial draft of the proposed ordinance. As work proceeded on the
ordinance, it became apparent that encouraging recycling would
better serve the needs of the City and the environnent, rather than
banning the use of disposable polystyrene.
Another issue which arose during industry review of the preliminary
dr-aft ordinance was the impor-tance of evaluating the merits of
paper versus plastic food packaging~ Representatives of both pap.er
and plastic packaging companies participa.ted in ongoing meetings
regarding the ban. Several representatives of the polystyrene
industry indicated to the City an interest in providing assistance
in establishing a polystyrene foam recycling prog~am. Due to this
interest~ staff re~~ested that Council net act on the ordinance,
and instead allow the implementation of a voluntary six-month pilot
program for recycling of polystyrene.
Polystyrene Recycling pilot Program
The Peninsula conservation Center (PCC), representatives from the
War on Waste (WOW) Committee, and representatives of ~he
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polyatyrane industry held meetings over a three-month period to
develop a proqram. The implementation plan included:
~. Identifying the major polystyrene generators 1n the City;
2. Acquiring and placing recycling bins in appropriate locations;
3. D8t&rmininq II Ileans to collect and transport the polystyrene;
4. Finding a facility to recycle the polystyrene; and
S. Developing a publicity progra.m related to the recycling
effort.
Representatives of the polystyrene industry donated significant
staft time, funds, and support ~aterials for tha pilot program.
The Polystyrene Packaging Council donated $2,700 for the purchase
of a 30-yard bin for use at the City's Recycling Canter. Free Flow
Corporation ot Redwood City donated staff time for the survey of
Palo Alto businesses generating polystyrene. Free Flow Corporation
also provided graphics and public relations, plastic baqs for
participating business polystyrene collection, and agreed to accept
the collected material ror processinq. The City of Palo Alto
provided three additional bins rrom the Recyoling Program for other
drop-ott "i teo.
A total of four sites were 6elected in Palo Alto for drop-ott of
polystyrene~ Bins sited specifically for business drop-off were
located at DNAX Research on California Avenu~ and Hevlett Packard
on Hanover Street~ The other tvo bins for use by the public and
businesses were located at CUbberley High School on Middlefield
Road, and the City Recycling center at 2380 Embarcadero Road. In
addition to the drop-off locations, City staff provided a special
one-time collection of polystyrene for residents the last week of
December. Staff provided baqs, which were distributed by the San
Jose conservation Corps, to each resident~ Inclu~ed with the bag
~ere instructions on prep~ration of the material and information on
the polystyrene drop-otf locations.
From November 27, 1990 through May 17, 1991 r the pilot proqram has
accepted 8,450 pounds of polystyrene. The direct costs to the City
to support this program have been Jr',inimal; and calculating the
indirect benefits (landfill space savings), the net saving to the
City 1s approximately $7.000.
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POLYSTrRENE RECYCLING PILOT PROGRAM COST ANALYSIS
~1/21/90 through 5/17/9~
Total Pounds collected:
Total Trips (30-yard container)
Average weight/Trip
pirect costs:
8,450Jlba
~1
497
$85 Per Trip
(17 trips)
includes labor, equipment, fuel, COST:
depreciation, PASCO overhead
savings (Avoided Oisposal costs)
ASSI1KPTIONS
o Volume Reduced 40', If Landfilled
o 16.5 Lb./CU. Yd.
o Dispos.l Cost $27.60/CU. Yd.
510 CU. Yd./Loose x $ .60 ~ 306 Landfilled Yards
306 x $27. 60 ~ SAVINGS:
Less costs:
NET SAVINGS,
Praft ordinance
$1,.445
$8,446
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$7.001
Staff and m~mbers of the PCC and WOW committees are continuing to
work with Palo Alto businesses on alternatives of banning single
use disposable take-out food service items (plastic and paperJ.
Information on an ordinance regarding these food service items will
be provided to Council when the Committee has a recommendation.
Conclusion
Due to the enthusiastic support of businesses and residents,
positive results to date of the Polystyrene Drop-otf Recyclinq
proqram and the minimal cost of the program (which is offset by
avoided disposal costs, as shown above) r staff will· continue the
program indefinitely, unless directed otherwise by Council.
Respectfully submitted,
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MICHAEL H. MILLER
Oeputy Director, Public Works Operations
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DAVID G. ADAMS
Director of Public Works
F'LEMING
Assistant City Manager
Related CKRs: CMR:404:0
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