Collection Systems Designing Collection Systems that Keep Materials Out of Landfills and Incinerators

In This Lesson By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to: (Knowledge Level) identify the various bins and carts used to collect waste and recyclables (Comprehension Level) contrast the differences in collection systems for residential and commercial resource streams (Application Level) classify resources into collection categories that optimize both diversion and costs

Collection Sectors Collection systems generally fall into three categories: Residential Commercial Industrial / Construction

Collection System Considerations How often What materials How many separations What kind of containers/bins What kind of vehicles What is the collection area density What kind of local facilities

Residential Systems Most common systems Weekly collection Resident sorts (3-stream) Trash Recyclables Yard/Organics Carts (with wheels) Side-side-load/rear-load trucks Dense collection / house-to-house by area Photo credit: Judi Gregory

Automated (Cart) Collection Pro’s Con’s Larger container => higher recovery rate Consistent look / aesthetically pleasing Easier to store recyclables Easier to get to the curb Reduced worker injury & costs Less litter on windy days Keeps the paper dry Dry materials easier to sort Limited # of containers/space Higher cost of for additional containers Harder to get community buy-in/support Less jobs/fewer workers on truck 6

Carts versus Cans Manual – cans and totes Semi-automated – carts Fully-automated – carts Split Carts Plate Tectonics Organics Cycle 7

Collection Vehicles Single or multi-compartment Sizes vary from 2-axle to 4-axle Automated, semi automated Side-load, front-load, rear-load options 8

Yard Waste & Green Stuff Variety of options. Consider climate & rural or suburban Bundled or Can Seasonal only Mixed with food Limited / Unlimited amounts Plate Tectonics Organics Cycle 9

Mixed Collection Options It’s can be easier because: Throw it all in together Little to no promotion or education effort or cost Easy to add new materials But…. Requires extensive processing Results in higher contamination, higher costs to sort and process, and higher residual waste Need to consider increased participation –v- increased residual, and downgraded commodities 10

Collection 11

Consider various residential collection systems, notably those where you live. What are the key differences between them and how do they effect diversion, cost and ease to residents?

Collection System Considerations Varying volume Different materials depending upon industry Single – multi-day collection needs Space for bins inside work area and outside Challenges educating employees

Commercial Recycling Systems All commercial recycling is not created equal…1 program won’t fit ALL Offices – Office paper Retail & Distribution – cardboard, packing materials & mixed paper Restaurants – cardboard & food scraps Hotels & Entertainment Venues – fiber, containers & food scraps Flooring – wood, carpet and padding Plate Tectonics Organics Cycle 14

Commercial Collection Equipment Front-load trucks are the primary collection vehicle Front-load bins, shown below are most common Carts, shown on truck forks can be used for small business recycling Plate Tectonics Organics Cycle 15

Office Recycling Desk-side containers Centralized containers Collection containers How to get materials outside for collection No garbage can option Where do office programs fail? …The Role of the custodial staff Plate Tectonics Organics Cycle 16

Custodial Contracting Ensure that collection of source separated recyclables is in the contract Provide proper training Provide proper carts to collect sorted materials Monitor for compliance

Custodial Training A critical part of teamwork is ensuring the Custodial Staff knows: Direct contact with Custodial Supervisor What is recyclable? Ensure correct language is used based on staffing Is there a Contractor Orientation that includes the basic information? Physically show employees what goes where Slide Credit: SBM

Retail Recycling Typically larger volume Boxes that products arrive in Significant volumes of plastic Administrative paperwork Unsalable items Plate Tectonics Organics Cycle 19

Restaurant Recycling Back of House Front of House Boxes Containers Food scraps Food Prep Food not served Front of House Plate scrapings Newspaper, bottles Plate Tectonics Organics Cycle 20

Construction & Demolition Recycling High volume Various materials: wood, metal, drywall, concrete, cardboard… – sorted onsite Demo is ideal for reuse and donation (habitat for humanity Collection in large roll-off boxes Plate Tectonics Organics Cycle 21

Manufacturing Scrap Transportation Packaging Pallets Industrial Recycling Manufacturing Scrap Transportation Packaging Pallets Plate Tectonics Organics Cycle 22

Technology Company Recycles Polystyrene In 2003, business generated 7,500 pounds per month of Polystyrene planks from received parts packaging Material was in pieces that were bulky but didn’t weigh much Business was paying approximately $16.8K per month to dispose of material Difficult markets for recycling Overhead shot of the Polystyrene bales and plastic

Initial Solutions Shred Materials - and blow into compactor Cost to shred Did not work, hot and humid in Memphis Bale Materials - put in horizontal baler Lightweight, made 400 pound bales Very labor intensive Benefit of avoided disposal cost

Intermediate Solutions Evaluate a Block Densifier Densified Polystyrene 40 to 1 Labor intensive Large capital investment Equipment malfunctions Operating 24-7 2 machines –high frequency downtime Benefit of avoided disposal cost by sale of material Block Densifier: 40 to 1 Densification about $40K to purchase Purchased 2

Long-Term Solution Volume increases to over 1 million pounds per year Installed Big Brutus Reduced breakdown Reduced labor Increased output volume Less headaches Saved $102K in avoided disposal Sold Polystyrene for $85K per year Big Brutus: 1 shredder that blows the polystyrene beads into the bags and then only part of the time does the blue machine work

Cost Analysis Initial expense of $200/year in disposal Initial solution has avoid disposal to offset cost Intermediate solution increases avoided cost and adds revenue Final solution has most revenue and avoided cost

Key Learnings Look outside the box for ideas Take steps to a solutions, starting with least capital investment Talk with colleagues, peers, others that have had the same issue Ask for references Plan for learning curve Previous issues where the broken down Polystyrene beads go everywhere

Ask students to discuss alternatives to polystyrene recycling that might have been considered in the previous case-study. What are the economic and environmental benefits?