The District of Columbia Department of Public Works “The Preferred Choice” Presents…

District of Columbia Recycling: Requirements and Enforcement Tuesday, June 16, 2009 Russell Klein Comm. Enviro. Educ. Spec. William Easley Recycling Program Ofc

580, mil

800,000 tons

Did you know… 110 x 74 x 344 yards 550 ft x2

Did you know… Mineral Consumption = 47,000lbs / yr / person #1 reason for extinctions is loss of habitat!

 Rethink: Take responsibility. Consider your organization’s Environmental Footprint!  Reduce: Consciously manage your habits so that you waste fewer resources and less energy. You will generate less pollution, less trash, and find you save more money!  Reuse: Find new ways of using objects and materials which have fulfilled their primary functions. Be creative!  Recycle: Recycling requires special equipment and energy expenditure to sort materials, break them down, and remanufacture them, but it beats burning or burying materials!!! What can we do?

The Multimaterial Management Act of 1989 City Council established: Solid Waste stream increasing; Landfill and incineration not sufficient; Source reduction methods must be established; Separation scheme outlined; city-wide goal 45% Office of Recycling established. formerly DC ST § now DC ST §

D.C. Code § D.C. Code § defines the materials required for separation as well as the obligation for all properties to recycle within the District of Columbia. § Mandatory source separation program [Formerly § ] (a) By October 1, 1989, owners and occupants of commercial property shall separate from their solid waste, bundle or containerize, and provide for the recycling of all newspaper. In addition, owners and occupants of office buildings, including the District government, shall separate for collection and provide for the recycling of all paper, as required by the Mayor by rules issued pursuant to § (b) By October 1, 1990, owners and occupants of commercial property shall separate for collection and provide for the recycling of all glass and metal

Fine Schedule Tools & Resources

Waste Streams of Source Separation Mixed Paper Bottles & Cans Solid Waste

What’s in my Office Bin? Disclaimer: all artwork herein is for educational purposes; no assumption of copyright is offered or implied.

GLASS

Window glass Crystal and other Drinking glasses Ceramics Light bulbs Mirrored glass GLASS

METAL

PAPER

CARDBOARD

Paper Plates Tyvek Envelopes and Laminated items Paper towels Tissues Napkins Soiled Pizza Boxes Coffee and Soda Cups PAPER

**Non-Toxic Cleaning Products PLASTIC

The Recycling Center

Save Money And Reduce Trash Be SMART!

“What are we supposed to do?” ?

Requirements for Commercial Businesses Separate mandated materials from solid waste. (2 streams, minimum) Enclose all waste/recyclables in rigid containers at point-of-pickup e.g. loading dock / parking lot. Contract a registered recycling hauler, visiting at least 2x / month. Inform Staff and Guest via ongoing basis Submit a Commercial Recycling Plan application (available online), every two years. Pass Site Inspection

Commercial Recycling Plan: By Mail or Online

Every Business Must Know… ● Submission: Bi-annual Submission/Approval ● Components: As follows… Recycling Plan Binding Contract with Registered Hauler; List of commodities intended for recycling; Frequency of Collection; Name and phone of designated coordinator; Square footage of property.

 Renewal: Annual Vehicles: Display current sticker on each door; Drivers: Must carry recycling registration card; List of Approved Haulers

 Window Endorsement Successful Completion Building Certificate

Enforcement Issues which may draw a Notice of Violation: Failure to separate recyclables from other solid waste. Failure to maintain a sufficient number of containers for separated recyclables. Failure to have an approved recycling plan. Failure to update a recycling plan. Insufficient collection of recyclables (ie.< 2x per month). Failure to use a registered hauler. Every Business Must Know…

29,398 Businesses 249,822 Households 112 Hotels 5,478 Retail stores 2,155 Food Service Establishments 1,389 Office Buildings 1,556 Federal Government Owned Buildings 266 Leased Federal Buildings --- District Government Owned Buildings 145 DCPS Buildings 127, Tons Commercial 8,924 tons DC Federal Source: Washington DC Economic Partnership, 2007 Scope of Program

Activators Tenants/Employees/Enviros’ Calls/ s Chains (CVS / KFC / etc.) Industries (Hotels, Hospitals, etc.) Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) “Corridors” (Wisconsin, Connecticut, etc.) Annual Basis 5000Inspections 1200Warnings 1400 Notices of Violation

“I don’t think we’re ready!” !

Form Green Advisory Team; Perform waste audit – considering materials & spaces; Ask multiple recycling haulers for estimates; Determine collection method (e.g. Single vs. Multi -Stream) Research collection containers appropriate to space(s) Create education materials for staff/guests In-house Tools & Resources

Online Access Tools & Resources recycle.dpw.dc.gov

Guide Books Tools & Resources

William Easley, Program Officer Debra Armstrong, Investigator Kayanda Jones, Investigator Sherry Porter, Investigator Russell Klein, Educator Tonya Majette, Program Support Brigette Sanders, Program Support Solid Waste Enforcement and Education Program Recycling Hotline: Office Staff Tools & Resources

Still Holding Out, huh?

Why Should My Business Recycle?  It’s the Law.  Good Business Sense vs. Paying for all Waste Removal vs. Receiving City Fines Improved Customer Impression Reduce Waste = Lower Trash Bill

What Happens If We Don’t Recycle? Recycling is the Law and you may receive a fine. Don’t wait for the fines to increase before attempting to assemble a program.

Does the City Provide Containers to Commercial Properties? No. Furnishing appropriate receptacles is your own responsibility. Esthetics and employee habits will determine internal containers while external containers should correspond with your hauler’s equipment.

How Much Will It Cost to Start Recycling? Costs are based on the volume of recycled materials, the frequency of pickup, your location, and your own ability to negotiate favorable terms. Request an updated Registered Haulers List* to get several quotes before deciding on a service provider. * Included within Commercial Recycling Guide

What’s Wrong with this Picture?

What Else Can I Recycle?

Anything Else I Should Know? The keys to a successful program is are high- level support and employee education. Information placed visibly around your work site will indicate your level of commitment.

Green Closing Remarks DO YOUR PART FOR SUSTAINABILITY. THE NEXT GENERATION DEPENDS UPON OUR HABITS AND DECISIONS. Rethink, Reduce, Reuse … and then Recycle!

D.C. Public Works Department 3220 Pennsylvania Ave, SE Washington, DC Recycling Hotline Russell Klein Comm. Enviro. Educ. Spec. William Easley Recycling Program Officer