Agenda - 06/17/1997 Workshop AGENDA
YARD WASTE WORKSHOP
7 PM, JUNE 16, 1997
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, WOODBURN CITY HALL
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INTRODUCTIONS
3. MARION COUNTY SOLID WASTE - JIM SEARS
4. YARD WASTE REPORT - RANDY ROHMAN
5. UNITED DISPOSAL RATE ADJUSTMENTS - SAM BRENTANO
6. ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION
7. ADJOURNMENT
Statesman Journal '
OPinion
PAGE
12C
FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 1997
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR: DICK HUGHES / 399-6727
Editorials
Judge us not by our mess
but by how well we Clean up
· Garbage rates
"are the price we
pay to be
civilized.
For centuries, one
of the hallmarks of
civilization has been
the way a society
deals with its gar-
bage.
In medieval times,
the plague became.
.an epidemic in part because rats flourished
in the garbage-strewn streets.
In modern times, a garbage strike or a
city's inability to clear its streets of waste
-has become symbolic of an inefficient, be-
'fuddled government.
Seemingly a simple task, waste disposal
lis something the public takes foi' granted --
~ntil the rates rise.
A new program scheduled to begin July 1
.will create small changes in the way Salem
and Keizer-area residents dispose of their
garbage. It will include curbside recycling
of junk mail and other paper waste and pro-
vide several service options for households
that create more or less garbage than the
average.
Although the program was approved last
fall, some residents' were surprised recently
when fliers left with their empty trash carts
announced the upcoming plan -- and the
new rates.
The last general price increase for cus-
tomers of the Mid-Valley Garbage and Re-
cycling Association was in 1992. Consider-
ing the value of the privately operated gar-
bage service, which requires minimal
thought and time froTM residents, a price in-
crease five years later seems fair.
The reason for the rate increase, how-
ever, is not simply that it's time for One.
Marion County has set a goal of 50 percent
reclamation -- recycling half the garbage
produced in the area.
It's a worthy goal, one developed with an
eye to the future. For as a population
creases, so does the garbage it produces.
Our society values things that are fast
and easy. We have fast food, which comes in
wrappers designed to be tossed, aside. We
have disposable diapers, created to avoid
the mess of cleaning cloth ones, We have
disposable plastic razors, conceived to be
thrown out after one use.
Fast and easy. No mess, no fuss.
For a society that values such things, we
should put great emphasis and value on our
ability to clean up after ourselves.
CITY OF WOODBURN
YARD DEBRIS RECYCUNG COMMITTEE RNAL REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The City of Woodburn is required to participate in the Marion County Yard
Waste Recycling Program.
Yard debris pickup should be weekly with regular garbage pickup utilizing
special 65 gallon yard debris containers supplied by United Disposal.
A mixed paper or "gray paper" recycling program should be initiated at the
same time as the yard debris program. Existing recycling programs will be
maintained and include the following:
· Newspapers and magazines
· Corrugated cardboard
· Plastic bottles with necks smaller than bottle
· Tin cans and aluminum
· Glass bottles
· Used motor oil
The city assure United Disposal that rates will be adjusted to compensate for
the capital, collection and disposal costs associated with Implementation of the
new recycling programs. United Disposal will be required to make a significant
capital investment in trucks and carts to implement this program. Other rate
adjustments that may be requested by United Disposal should be considered by
the city.
5. Exceptions from yard debris program participation not be granted.
A multi-media information program be-initiated prior to implementation.
Implementation dates should be established to allow United Disposal to acquire
needed equipment and to be appropriate for yard waste recycling efforts.
BACKGROUND:
The Woodburn City Council on March 11, 1996 appointed an ad-hoc committee to
look at issues involved with a yard debris recycling program. This was a result of a
request from Marion County Solid Waste Division.
1
The members of the committee are:
Jack Donley
Dallas Figley
Charlotte Hiller
Henry Jaeger
Preston Tack
Thomas Waggoner
1349 Vanderbeck Lane
601 Settiemier Ave.
655 Filbert St.
1830 Hardcastie Ave.
2197 Camellia Way
849 Woodland Ave.
Staff coordination was initially handled by Scott Spence, student intern, until his
graduation from college. Randy Rohman, Public Works Program Manager, continued
Scott's work as staff coordinator.
The committee purpose was to explore different ways and options to implement a
yard debris recycling program within the City of Woodburn. To accomplish this
purpose the committee was tasked with collecting necessary and available information
on the topic. As part of the process the committee received briefings from Jim Sears,
director of Marion County Solid Waste Department, Sam Brentano, Mid-Valley
Garbage and Recycling Association, and Dave Kanner, City of Wilsonville. The
committee was tasked to prepare a report recommending a course of action that
would be in the best interest of the City of Woodburn.
Yard debris includes: grass, leaves, twigs, small tree limbs, pumpkins or any other
organic material. Yard debris does not include: food stuffs, dirt, rock or black plastic.
SOUD WASTE MANAGEMENT:
Marion County Solid Waste Management is responsible for providing disposal of solid
waste (garbage) for residents of Marion County. The County has provided this service
through a franchise system since 1969. Initially this was accomplished through
agreements with private companies to own and operate open dumps. Cities worked
with private haulers to collect waste within their jurisdiction and this waste was
hauled to Marion County disposal facilities.
This same basic system has remained in place up to the present. The County still
franchises for the operation of disposal sites and the cities do the same for collection.
The major change that has occurred since this time is the focus on protecting our
environment. This has been accomplished through state-of-the-art landfill design and
waste-to-energy controls.
2
In addition, a focus has been on waste minimization through reducing, reusing, and
recycling waste before it has to be disposed. This has taken a major culture change
through education to encourage the public to take an active role with the waste that
they produce.
To enhance the active participation of our residents, the Oregon State Legislature
passed several laws to provide convenient opportunities for people to recycle. In
1983 Senate Bill 405 was enacted. It required:
Recycling depots conveniently located for public access.
Monthly collection of source separated recyclable materials in cities with
a population of 4,000 or greater.
Public education and promotion to encourage participation in recycling.
Then in 1991 Senate Bill 66 went even further by:
Setting recycling goals for wastesheds (typically county boundaries)
Setting minimum program elements of curbside collection and education
programs for cities over 4,000 population.
The cities over 4,000 population need to implement a curbside collection program to
assure that the county continues to meet its recycling goal. This goal has been set
by state law at 25% of a wastastream up to 180,000 tons annually. Wastastreams
over 180,000 tons must be recycled at a 30% level.
The county has a current recycling level of approximately 27%, which is meeting the
state mandated goal The difficulty is that the wastestream is now over 180,000 tons
and the recycling goal will keep climbing. The county wastestream was growing at
approximately 1.5% from 1984 until 1992. Since that time it has been growing at
a rate of 6% annually.
In addition, with the increase in waste being produced, the capacity at the county
waste-to-energy facility is rapidly being used. To provide another disposal option will
be very expensive.
Another factor affecting the need for increasing our recycling rate is that the
Legislature also included a stat, wide goal of 50% by the year 2000. In order for the
state to meet this goal, all wast, sheds will have to increase their recycling goals.
Marion County believes yard waste recycling is the logical choice in meeting the
state's mandated goals for recycling. Taking yard debris out of the waste stream will
extend the capacity of the waste-to-energy facility by at least two years. The county
is also looking at instituting a 'grey paper" recycling program which would include
junk mail and grey board such as cereal boxes.
3
The Marion County recommendation is to implement a weekly curbside yard waste
collection program to:
· Allow the cities over 4,000 population and the county to meet the state
mandated recycling goal.
· Extend the life of the disposal facilities in Marion County.
· Provide an environmentally preferred method of disposing of yard waste.
· Reduce the public use of backyard burning.
YARD WASTE PROPOSAL:
The county is currently in the process of determining a permanent site for the yard
debris compost program Proposed sites were initially on Browns Island in South
Salem or on State of Oregon Corrections Department property near Turner. The
County is currently utilizing a private contractor who operates an existing composfing
facility near Aumsville. Disposal of the yard waste during the first two years of the
program will be at no cost to the hauler. It is anticipated that compost would be sold
in bulk for repackaging or bulk use.
The original proposal considered by the committee for yard waste recycling was to
provide each residential customer with two containers. There would be a 95 gallon
roll cart for yard debris and a smaller roll cart (either 65, 35 or 20 gallon) for regular
garbage. Carts for both garbage and yard waste would be provided by United
Disposal. The 95 gallon would be used for yard debris because of the large number
of 95 gallon containers that the haulers currently have and also because this size had
shown to be favored in test.
Discussion by the committee determined that the larger cart may not be appropriate
for yard debris due to its size. It was determined that a 65 gallon yard debris
container would be more appropriate for the majority of the residents of the city. It
was also determined that a full range of cart sizes should be available for garbage use.
These sizes would be 20, 35, 65 and 95 gallon sizes. All carts would be provided by
United Disposal and cart pickup would be totally automated. There will need to be
sufficient lead time for the acquisition of new carts and specialized yard debris trucks
by United Disposal.
4
A tentative fee schedule for city residential customers is as follows:
Garbage cart 95 gal. 65 gal.* 35 gal. 20 gal.
Yard Debris Cart 65 gal. 65 gal. 65 gal. 65 gal.
Cost $29.50 $23.50 $15.65 $13.50'
Current Cost $16.10 $19.00 $11.15 $ 9.50
* Not currently offered. This current rate is for two 32 gallons cans.
The total rates listed above include proposed adjustments to existing rates as well as
the adjustment required for addition of the new recycling programs. It is anticipated
that the cost of the recycling programs will be approximately $4.50 per residence.
The committee asked many questions during the review process. A few of the
primary areas that lead to the committee recommendations are outlined below.
'Why a 95 gallon yard debris can?
This size has proved to be favored in tests done in the Portland area.
With the yard debris program, haulers planned to no longer offer a 95
gallon regular garbage can. The largest regular garbage can would be 65
gallons. This would mean that large numbers of 95 gallon containers
would be available and it would be a cost savings if they could be
converted to yard debris use.
This question and related areas generated a great deal of discussion
among committee members.
Preston Tack surveyed other residents of senior estates at a Thursday
coffee hour and a potluck. He gave a brief overview of the program and
rates and then he asked about yard service and storage of the 95 gallon
containers in residents garages. He surveyed approximately 350
households. Yard service was used by 80 + % of these households and
55 + % of these households felt that the 95 gallon container along with
a smaller garbage container was too much to be stored in the garage.
5
Mr. Brentano stated that the people who maintained the yards could use
the yard debris container rather than having to haul the debris away.
Staff contacted two companies that do landscaping in senior estates and
they both indicated that they would utilize the yard waste container if it
was available. Mr. Brentano also stated that the yard debris container
might prevent some people from dumping on the road side.
Mr. Brentano stated, on the issue of can storage, that most people chose
to leave the 95 gallon container by the side of the house.-
There was also discussion on whether the 95 gallon can be filled. Mr.
Brentano stated that for much of the year many residents would not fully
utilize the whole container but that during the spring and fall many
people would fill the container.
There was a significant amount of discussion concerning homogeneous
areas such as senior estates which have a smaller yards and generate
less debris. Mr Kanner stated Charbonneau, which has common areas
rather than actual yards, was excluded from their program upon the
condition that landscape companies serving the area certified and
provided receipts indicating that yard debris was properly disposed in a
designed recycling area. Charbonneau residents pay a small surcharge
on their garbage bill for the recycling benefits received.
It was the consensus of the committee that homogenous areas, such as
senior estates, with smaller yards be offered a smaller yard debris
container. It was felt that. the 95 gallon was too large for the yards and
would be more difficult to use and move around.
Further discussions with Mr. Brentano on the issue of yard waste
containers focused on size and costs associated with switching can
sizes. Mr. Brentano displayed an approximately 65 gallon yard waste
container, specifically designed for yard waste. He proposed utilizing
such a container for the city.
The consensus of the committee was that the 65 gallon yard
waste container would provide uniformity for the hauler and best
meet the needs of a majority of residents.
6
13
What about the cost of the program and could the hauler save money in any
way?
Mr. Brentano stated that it has become much harder for the hauler to
control costa. Disposal fees are the biggest cost to a hauler. Fees in the
past used to be 10% of the costs, now they are 50%. Insurance and
fuel are also costa over which the hauler has no control. Labor costs are
about all that is left for the hauler to control. United Disposal is looking
to make everything automated in the future to reduce labor costs. The
pickup of all carts under the program that will start with yard debris
collection will be automated and all required carts will be provided to the
customer. Use of customer owned cans would no longer be allowed
Mr. Brentano stated the $4.50 cost is an estimate for the yard waste
program. He stated Marion County was waiving the $25 per/ton fee for
yard debris to assist in implementing this program.
The garbage rates for the city of Woodburn were last adjusted in January
of 1992. Mr. Brentano indicated that United Disposal is at the point
where an adjustment of some basic garbage pickup rates is required.
The company's rate of return is currently near the bottom of what is
considered to be the desired range. Some charges are currently under
valued and need to be modified to more equitably distribute the costs.
Any of the non yard waste associated adjustments would be phased in
at the same time that the yard debris and automated pickup program is
initiated. Many households should be able to shift to a smaller regular
garbage container with the implementation of these new recycling
programs to help offset some of the costs of these rate adjustments.
It was the consensus of the committee that the yard waste
program was an effective way to help the county goals and
extend the life of the waste to energy facility The start up and
purpose of the program would require an effective publicity effort
prior to implementation. ~.-
7
What about an exemption program?
Exemptions have not generally been allowed for specific garbage
customers. They were tried in Gresham and Lake Oswego but their
experience showed that the programs were .expensive and difficult to
administer. If the exception program was run by the hauler the costs of
the program would undoubtedly be passed through to other garbage
customers through increased rates.
It was the consensus of the committee that exemptions should
not be granted.
Should yard debris be picked up weekly?
Other jurisdictions that have tried bi-weekly yard waste pickup programs
or other schedules have found that they caused confusion and that a
weekly pickup program on the same schedule as regular garbage was
most effective.
The consensus of the committee was that weekly pickup would
be most effective.
a What about residents who do not have yard debris?
Mr. Brentano stated that everyone benefits from the plan through cleaner
air and through increased recycling. It would be hoped that fewer people
would burn debris if the recycling option were available. He made the
point that recycling benefits everyone. Mr. Sears pointed out that, with
the waste to energy facility reaching capacity, higher cost alternative
disposal sites would be needed thereby also driving up the costs to
users. Yard waste recycling will extend the life of this facility along with
the environmental benefits it would provide.
8
During committee discussions it was brought out that garbage service
is a service for which the fee is determined by the size or number of
containers and not the amount used. Recycling costs are already
included in the rates established although the customer may not use the
service. Many people never put used motor oil in their recycling bins,
nonetheless, everybody pays for used motor oil recycling as part of their
garbage bill.
It was the consensus of the committee that the yard waste
recycling should be implemented for all residential garbage
customers in Woodburn.
What would happen to the City leaf pickup program?
This program would continue as currently structured. It is anticipated
that some, hopefully many, residents would utilize the yard waste
recycling program to dispose of their leaves and the city would
encourage such use. The amount of leaves collected by the city would
be reduced but it is anticipated that some residents would still utilize the
city to collect their leaves
9
iAsea sAI
Jo],.OOllOO Ol3~OoB/ofieqJe9 leOO-I moa
The Gang's all here
INTRODUCING PLASTIC BOTTLES #1-7 to our curbside line up of
recyclables! Details and preparation instructions inside!
~ NIl'. Trash
~ __ ~, ~ Newsman ,~,,_'~'¢' -,'~X ~ ~ ~Sl~ckGuy
Glas~
~tic BoRles ' G~a~ Bo~les & Ja~ N~s~e~ ~ U~d Motor 0il & ~n Cans & Aluminum
~ 1 ~rou¢ 7 Ol~r~row~r~n Curbsifle by 6 am ! Lubd~nts
Sort it out!
It's simple to separate out recyclable materials from your garbage. You probably already have newspapers and bottles set
apart. With a little extra effort, you can pick up on recycling! Recycle today--it's easy!
Place each type of recyclable in a brown paper sack and place into your red recycle basket! Single family residences with-
in city limits may receive the use of one convenient compact recycle basket. Even if you are not currently a garbage col-
lection customer--you may take advantage of the basket and curbside service for a small monthly fee in some areas...call
your garbage/recycle collector for details in your area.
Weekly curbside pick up!
We'll save you time and energy! Just place your sorted and bagged recyclables into your recycle basket and take them to the
curb, rain or shine, by 6:00 am on the same day your garbage is picked up...and we'll do the rest!
Garbage day is recycling day!
The same day your garbage is picked up, we'll pick up your recyclables, either in our garbage truck or special recycling
truck. You'll find it easy to remember, easy to sort out your items...and before long, you will have picked up on recycling! If
you live in an apartment or multifamily dwelling, your landlord can make arrangements with us...so you can pick up on
recycling too!
Tin Cans and Aluminum
Cool Can says, "For tin cans--peel off
labels, remove tops and bottoms,
clean and flatten.
Aluminum--remove all
non-aluminum parts, rinse
and flatten. Foil, T.V. dinner trays, pop
tops and out of state cans are okay.
Combine tin cans and aluminum
into brown paper sack."
Glass Bottles/Jars.
From Classy Glass, "Bottles and jars
only! Separate by color: brown, clear,
green. Rinse out. Labels do not have to
be removed. But, please, no broken
glass, ovenware, pyrex, china or
window glass!"
Plastic Bottles
"check for the neck! Plastic bot-
Mr.
Jughead
says,
~ /' tles with necks only...numbered 1 through 7.
lm- ,~' J).,4 Must be thoroughly cleaned, no residue
///r~__~ f~-, .,,,j,,~ inside or outsid~. ~emove and discard cap.
~- c-~, / Crush plastic bottles. No other plastic non-bot-
~ ties please. Not acceptable: lid,,,s, caps, spray
_ · pumps, bags, u,raps, margarine, }ogurt or freezer con-
~ ruiners, flower and garden plastic, toys, medical or haz-
( ~ [ ardous waste containers (pesticides, herbicides, solvents,
~ ~ paints adhesives). Motor oil bottles and any bottle
~ ~ larger than five gallons a,'e ,lot acceptable?'
Newspaper
The News Man's scoop, "Slide newspaper
into brown paper sacks. All papers received
in the newspaper can be recycled with the
newspaper."
Cardboard
Flatten corrugated cardboard
and bag or secure with twine.
No paperboard, greasy or wax
coated cardboard please.
Magazines and
Catalogs
Glossy-bound publications
with soft covers only. Read them,
then bag them.., we'll do the rest!
No paperbacks or phone books. Keep magazines
separate from newspapers.
Motor Oil
Slick Guy says, "Used
motor oil and automo-
tive lubricants, just
pour them into and
unbreakable container
with a good lid. Use
original container or
rinsed plastic bleach
bottle or milk bottles
work great! Please use 1
gallon (or less) size con-
tainers only. Tightly seal.
No transformer oil, please."
Printec~ on recycled Baper
RECYCLING... AN EASY HABIT TO GET INTO!
Announcing MIXED SCRAP PAPER RECYCLING to our line-up of curbside recyclables!
~'~ 7-1-~}7
ACCEPTABLE MIXED PAPER: UNACCEPTABLE MATERIALS:
Preparation: OPEN & REMOVE ALL UNWANIED
MAIL FROM ENVELOPES (baR, keep separate fi'om Itrayboard)
Advertising flyers
E~rllllant colored paper
Brochures
Computer paper and carbonless forms
Envelopes (labels $ windows OK)
Greeting cards (no fotl)
Holiday gh°r wrap (no foil, tape, etc.)
Paper bags (any color)
Paper labels from cons
Post I¢ notes
~hredded paper
Tablet paper (pge backs with grayboard)
White and colored ledger paper
~--,¢i,'~ 7-1-9 7
ACCEPTABLE G RAY'BOARD:
Preparation: Please flatten, bag or secure with twine--
keep separate from mixed scrap paper)
ESeveroge boxes (slx and ~welve pock)
Books (soff cover)
Boxes (cereal, snacks: eft)
Construc¢lon paper
Glff and shoe boxes (discard silicon packerts)
Paper egg cartons
Paper towel and toilet paper tubes
carbon paper
Charcoal bags
Disposable diapers and hygiene products
Fertilizer bags
Foam packaging materials
Foil
Food contaminated paper and boxes
Frozen food boxes
Frozen juice paper cans
Milk and juice cartons
Pet food bags
Photographs
String
Tape
Wax/plastic liners (from cereal, snack boxes) '
Waxed paper or boxes coated with wax
Special Note:
1) Prepare other recyelables separately into brown paper bags (see green brochure).
2) Unacceptable or incorrectly prepared materials will not be collected.
3) Place basket at least 4 feet from garbage and yard debris containers.
4) Place basket at curb by 6:00 am on garbage collection day.
nflxed~.~T~d
'rilANK YOU FOR YOUR L~OOPERATION.
Materials fiom Ihe Mixed Scrap Paper and Urayboard prognun are procened for paper mills by
Oarten Foundation, · Io,~al rehabilitatima organization helping pe~Oin with din·bilttlcq ·ecure jotm
EXISTING RECYCLING PROGRAMS
· Newspapers and Magazines
· Corrugated Cardboard
· Plastic Bottles with Neck
Smaller than Bottle
· Tin Cans and Aluminum
· Glass Bottles
· Used Motor Oil
NEW RECYCLING PROGRAMS
Yard Debris
Mixed Paper
GARBAGE COLLECTION PROGRAM
Automated Garbage Pickup
· All Cans Provided
65 Gallon Yard Debris
Add Mixed Paper Recycling
Garbage Can Size Selection
95 Gallon
65 Gallon
35 Gallon
20 Gallon
United Disposal Rate Adjustment
· New Recycling Program Costs
· Other Selective Rate Adjustments
YARD DEBRIS PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION
March--1, 1998 Yard
Debris Implementation
United Disposal Lead
Time For Equipment
Procurement
Information Program
To Inform Residents of
New Program