Single Stream Works for Us! 2006 ANNUAL MEETING COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN SWANA CHAPTER October 5th and 6th, 2006 Alamosa, Colorado Tom Strickland, Recycling Program Administrator City and County of Denver, Denver Public Works Solid Waste Management, Denver Recycles

Which came first single stream or automated carts?

Factors Leading to Change  Recycling rate was at about 6%.  Increasing requests from residents to take more types of material.  Plateau on new customer signing up for recycling services.  Worker injuries increasing.  Fleet of trucks due for replacement. What to do?

Road to Change  Shift from Dual Stream collection to Single Stream Collection – no separation required.  Add new materials to collection program.  Replace 18 gallon bins with 65 gallon carts.  New recycling collection trucks.  New processing center capabilities.

Benefits to Single Stream  Residents no longer need to sort out recyclables placed at the curb.  Residents pleased with being able to recycle more materials. 1) Increased customer satisfaction:

Benefits to Single Stream 2) Increased efficiency:  Utilization of truck’s full capacity.  Able to use other trucks for collection if needed. (Split trucks not needed)

Single Stream Education Post Card Mailer Recycling Guide

Single Stream Education Shelf Talkers Truck Signs

Single Stream Education New PSA Printed Ads

Single Stream Education Neighborhood Events and Fairs

Benefits to Automated Carts 1) Increased customer satisfaction:  The new carts make it easier for residents to move since they have wheels.  Carts hold more materials.  Carts don’t require lifting.  Carts have lids so the carts can be store outside and materials still keep dry.

Benefits to Automated Carts 2) Improved collection efficiencies:  The automated trucks and containers allow more collections per route.  Able to reduce number of collection routes from 14 to 10.  Reduced recycling fleet, thus savings on program operations & personnel.

Benefits to Automated Carts 3) Reduced worker injuries:  Crew members will no longer need to continually pick up heavy recycling bins.  Improved the health and safety of employees.  Saving the City money through reduced worker compensation claims and lost time.

Tonnages from Jan. ’05 – Aug. ’06 Single Stream Launch, June ‘05 Phase 1 of Carts, Oct. ‘05 Phases 2 & 3 of Carts, June ‘06

What about contamination you ask?

Recycling Composition Prior to Single Stream

Recycling Composition After Single Stream Data from combined January 2006 Material Sorts

Audit Tags  Drivers tag on collection  Random Route checks  Trouble Area checks Field Audits

So far, So good!  Residents pleased with not having to sort materials.  Increased efficiencies as finalizing shift to automation.  Challenges in 2007 and beyond:  Increase tonnages  Increase participation level Conclusion

Contact Information Tom Strickland or Charlotte Pitt