District of Columbia Department of Public Works Hallie Clemm and Thomas Henderson MWCOG Recycling Committee Meeting May 15, 2008 RESIDENTIAL WASTE SORT

Quick Background  District DPW collects waste and recycling from about 103,000 customers in buildings with three units or less.  Recycling collection is weekly, single stream with +90% of customers using 32- gallon carts.  Recycling program commodities are: ONP, OCC, Mixed Paper, Glass and Plastic Bottles, Aluminum and Steel Cans.

Quick Background  We collected a total of 133,000 tons in ,380 tons of recyclables.  Our recycling diversion rate was 17.6%.  Recycling diversion rate by Ward ranges from 28.2% to 7.8%.  The Ward with the highest recycling rate still had 1.75 times more trash per household than the Ward with the lowest rate.

DOES THE RECYCLING DIVERSION RATE REALLY TELL THE STORY?

Objectives of the Sort Study Determine how much of the waste stream is recyclable under current program; Determine what other materials are in the trash that could be recycled through an expanded program; and Look for ways to tailor the recycling message to enhance program.

Study Summary  89 loads, 56 trash and 33 recycling, were sorted from October 23 to November 8,  Trash and recycling loads were sorted from the same neighborhoods.  All 8 District Wards were involved.  Work was done at the District’s two transfer stations by DPW Staff.  Front-end Loaders were used to separate a sample which was then hand sorted and weighed.

Summary of Results  We are currently recycling about half of the program recyclables in the waste stream.  In addition to 23,380 tons of recycling collected, there was an additional 23,800 tons remaining in the trash.  Of our total waste stream, commodities in our current recycling program represent 36.2%.

Chart 2 Recycling Content Percentages of What Is Being Thrown Away as Trash Aluminum Cans 2% Brown Bottles 1% Green Bottles 2% Other Containers 5% Steel Cans 4% Plastic Bottles #2 5% Plastic Bottles #1 7% Clear Bottles 5% Newspaper 33% Corrugated Cardboard 18% Other Recyclable Paper 23%

Summary of Results  While our recycling diversion rate is not high, our rate of recycling some key commodities is well above the national average.  This includes ONP and Plastic and Glass Bottles.  We lag in OCC, Mixed Paper, and Steel Cans.

Key Findings  To improve the recycling diversion rate, we will need to both capture more of the existing program recyclables and expand the definition of what is recyclable.  Message needs to reemphasize ONP, OCC, Mixed Paper, Plastic Bottles, and Steel Cans.  Need to find ways to recycle textiles and compost more yard waste.

Thanks to those who showed up and sorted!

For Further Information Hallie Clemm Tom Henderson