Recycling and Reuse Programs

Recycling and Reuse Programs

Objectives

  • Basic design and operations of recycling facilities
  • Infrastructure requirements for these facilities and reuse programs
  • Role of recycling and reuse programs in integrated solid waste systems

Definitions

  • Source Reduction: Reducing waste at the source.
    • Buying items in bulk reduces packaging waste.
    • Choosing not to buy an item is waste reduction.
    • Composting at home reduces waste at the curb.
  • Recycling: Collecting and processing an item into something else after it has been produced.

Recycling in an Integrated System

  • Recycling, disposal, and processing work together in tandem.
  • Reduces the amount of waste requiring disposal.
  • Reduces disposal costs, but recycling also has costs.
  • Managers expected to compare costs via spreadsheets.
  • Provides environmental benefits such as reducing reliance on virgin materials, conserving energy, and reducing air and water pollutants.
  • Can result in cost savings compared to landfill disposal due to commodity revenues.
  • Programs often funded through disposal revenues or surcharges.
  • Funding model may not be sustainable as recycling increases and disposal decreases.

Policies to Encourage or Require Recycling

  • Most recycling rules and regulations are at the state and local levels.
    • Mandatory ordinances requiring recycling programs.
    • Required recycling levels (e.g., 30% or 40%).
    • Disposal bans on items like straws and Styrofoam.
    • Disposal surcharges, like on batteries, to offset recycling costs.
    • Grants from federal agencies or private entities.
    • Deposit laws (bottle bills) where a deposit is charged at purchase and refunded upon return.
    • Pay as you throw systems where residents pay less for waste collection if they recycle more.
    • Product stewardship programs, similar to extended producer responsibility, put the responsibility of recycling on the manufacturer.
      • Extended Producer Responsibility: Manufacturer buys back recycled plastic and turns into new detergent bottle.
  • Policies have different levels of effectiveness and costs.

Recycling Statistics and Trends

  • In 2010, over 9,000 collection programs served 71% of the US population.
  • Over 600 MRFs (Material Recovery Facilities) accept 98,000 tons of recyclables daily.
  • 65,000,000 tons collected annually, representing 26% of MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) generated.
  • Emerging trends include:
    • Transition to single-stream recycling.
    • Increasing recycling rates at the state level.
    • Zero waste initiatives.
    • Extended producer responsibility.

Role of a Solid Waste Manager

  • Plan and implement the program.
  • Oversee the programs.
  • Monitor them.
  • Manage the budgets.
  • Correspond with local officials.
  • Address public concerns.

Collection Program Components

  • Collection
  • Processing
  • Infrastructure and facility
  • Performance monitoring

Markets

  • Markets are critical for recycling programs.
  • Without markets, collection and processing are not viable.
  • Markets involve vendors willing to buy materials and manufacturers to create new products.
  • Consumers must buy recycled products to complete the loop.

Collections

  • Residential
    • Curbside Programs.
      • 65-gallon carts
      • 95 gallon carts
      • 18-22 gallon bins
    • Drop off containers (each container holds different commodity)
  • Commercial Collection
    • Dumpster Cart Collection
    • Broker Collection
    • Drop off Access

Materials for Recycling

  • Predominant in the waste stream.
  • Easy to collect and process.
  • Markets demand and exist.

Processing Options

  • Source Separated: Materials are separated at the source.
    • Composting at home is an example.
  • Dual Stream: Materials are put out in two streams: paper/cardboard and everything else (plastics, metal, glass).
  • Single Stream: All recyclables are mixed in one container and sorted at the processing facility.

Infrastructure and Facilities

  • Collection Equipment
    • Trucks
    • Recycling containers
  • Processing Facilities
    • Dual stream facilities
    • Single stream facilities (Material Recovery Facilities or MRFs)
  • End Markets

Processing Facilities - MRF Design

  • Building Design: Similar to a transfer station.
  • Enclosed building with designated unloading and processing areas.
  • Load-out areas for recovered materials and residue.
  • Concrete floors.
  • Push wall for material receiving and handling.
  • Incoming material is unloaded on the tipping floor.
  • End loader or grapple loader moves material to a processing area or infeed conveyor.
  • Material is inspected as received to remove large or hazardous items.

Mobile Equipment

  • End loader or grapple loader
  • Forklift

MRF Equipment

  • Conveyors
  • Bag breakers
  • Screens
  • Magnets
  • Eddy current separators
  • Air classifiers
  • Optical scanners
  • Balers

Traffic Flow through a Facility

  • Clearly marked traffic flow for safety
  • One-way traffic flow is ideal
  • Separate traffic areas for passenger cars and commercial vehicles are ideal
  • Drive-through designs to minimize backing up and making three-point turns
  • Separate traffic areas for vehicles delivering and receiving recyclables are ideal

Quality Control

  • Automated systems may incorrectly sort materials.
  • Inspectors stationed at key areas to remove improperly sorted material.
  • Segregated materials can increase the value of those materials.
  • Goal: Commodities to come out of the line, not trash/contaminants.

Residue

  • Portion of incoming material not recovered for recycling and must be disposed.
  • Results from contamination or recyclable materials not captured.
  • Residue quantities should typically be less than 10%.

Measuring Recycling Program Performance

  • Assesses the program's success.
  • Evaluates program costs and revenues.
  • Tracks total generation quantities to understand material flows in an integrated system.
  • Can be challenging due to limitations in data reporting from the private sector.
  • Survey options may be incomplete or inaccurate.
  • Permit requirements can help obtain data from facilities.
  • Difficult to obtain community-level data from regional facilities.

Regulations and Permits

  • Every community has building codes that should be followed.
  • Stormwater management permits must be obtained and kept up to date.
  • State permits may or may not be required. These are managed at the local or state level.
  • License or notifications may still be required even if exempt from permitting.
  • NPDES permit (water permit) is usually required.
  • Air quality permits may be required for processing equipment.
  • Facilities generally need to receive a small minimum quantity of non recyclables.

Economics of Recycling

  • Often subsidized or funded through disposal revenues or grants.
  • Economic components: capital, operating, and revenue.
    • Capital Costs: One-time fixed costs like property, construction, and equipment (trucks, balers, loaders, containers).
    • Operating Costs: Variable costs like wages, labor, benefits, fuel, maintenance, residue transport, and recyclable transport.
    • Revenue: Money coming in, offsetting capital and operating costs. Includes tipping fees, generator taxes, and sale of recovered materials.
    • Recycling and reuse may also result in avoided costs by not having to pay tipping fees for disposal.
Conclusion
* Recycling is a principal method by which disposal quantities are reduced
* Several options for recycling programs from design, point of collection, processing, and end markets
* Has a significant impact on ISWMS operations
* Solid waster manager is responsible for all of it.