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Home My WebLink AboutItem 8.2 Commercial Recycle Plan~~~~ OF DU~~~2 ~ ///~~~ ~\ 19 (~i= ~ =ir~ `82 \~`~ ~~//l ~~LIFOR~~ STAFFREPORT CITY CLERK DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL File #^[g]0 Q^- 6^OO DATE: September 7, 2010 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Joni Pattillo, City Manager SUBJE . Commercial Recycling Template Plan Prepared By: Haley Burgardt, Environmental Services Intern EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The template plan encourages Dublin's commercial businesses to take the initiative in developing a recycling program and to incorporate waste reduction into their daily routine. The aim of this template plan is to give commercial businesses a resource to implement their own recycling program. With this plan as a resource, commercial businesses can create a successful recycling program by following an outlined step-by-step process. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council approve the template plan. ._ ~ Submi ed By Senior Admi istrative Analyst eviewe B Assistant City Manager Page 1 of 2 ITEM NO. ~•~• DESCRIPTION: As part of the Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Goals & Objectives Program, the City Council adopted a high priority goal (Goal I.F.6) to develop a template recycling plan that could be shared with the commercial community. The primary focus of the objective is to highlight the many benefits of participation in the City's recycling program and to show how easy and cost effective participation can be for local businesses. Thus, the target audience of the plan is those businesses that currently are not participating in the recycling program. The template plan (Attachment 1) has been prepared in a brochure format for ease of distribution and use. The plan can be broken down into six different sections that supply background information on why recycling is important, how to start and develop an effective recycling program, how to coordinate collection with the City's solid-waste service provider Amador Valley Industries or AVI, and, moreover, the costs and monetary benefits of initiating a recycling program. Specifically, the six sections of the plan are as follows: 1. Why Recycle? 2. Plan Your Program 3. Design Your Program 4. Start Your Program 5. Sustain Your Program 6. Appendix (waste analysis worksheets) Incorporated into each section are easy steps for commercial businesses to create a successful and efficient recycling program. Additionally, the template plan provides commercial businesses with other resources including helpful side notes or tips to consider, checklists, and worksheets such as a Waste Generation Assessment to make implementing a recycling program easier and understandable. While the City's solid waste service provider, AVI, provides many of these services for free, Staff feels that providing a self-help kit that walks the business through the process of putting together a program will be valuable in that some businesses may fear approaching AVI for assistance as they feel that they would then be committed to participation. Summarily, the toolkit allows them to see for themselves fhat participation is easy and cost effective. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: Staff will post a link on the City's website to the template plan for the community's use. Staff will also work with the Chamber of Commerce to get the word out to the business community through newsletters, etc. about the plan's availability, and will also work with AVI to target specific businesses though the AVI billing process and through direct contact. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Commercial Recycling Template Plan for Businesses Page 2 of 2 .~- /L,' ~ ~ :4 w Rec clin Pro ram Toolkit ~ ~~ y q q ~~ ~ . . ~a.. For Commerc~al Bus~nesses ~ 8,a q- ~-lo ATTACHMENT 1 ~~ K_ ~;~;. ~; ~ . s. ~ ",~' c~ ~ ~~ ~: ithin this Toolkit, you will find that there are many incentives to incorporate recycling into your business plan. Once the structure for a recycling program is created, you will find it easy to recycle and attain the benefits of reducing your waste! This guide will help you plan, design, start, and sustain your :ycling program. r further assistance, the City's waste uler, Amador Valley Industries or AVI, ~ers free technical assistance to start and ~nage recycling programs. You can ~;3r contact AVI at 9~5-479-9545 or visit ~ their website: www.amadorval leyindustries.com ~+ ., ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~,.., : ~ : - ~a Why Recycle? Recycling saves money. A successful business maximizes income while minimizing costs. By reducing waste, your business can avoid the costs of disposal and lower its net operating costs. Most businesses already use materials that are easily recyclable, such as paper, plastic, packaging, glass, metal and wood. Some of these commodities, such as office paper and metals, are valuable recyclables and could add a new source of income to your business by taking advantage of redemption or buyback programs. Implementing a recycling program can significantly lower the cost of trash disposal service by reducing trash pick-ups and increasing free recycling collection. For example: If a business or apartment complex with so trash dumpsters serviced three times a week replaced 5 of the trash dumpsters with recycling dumpsters, the waste disposal bill would decrease by 50% per week - an annual savings of approximately $45~708 (See table below). Large Office Complex Savings with a Recycling Program ' Number of Number of3- 3-Cubic Frequency of Cubic Yard Frequency of Total Total Yard Trash trash Recycling Recycling Weekly Monthly Services I Dumpsters services/week Dumpsters servicesJweek Cost Cost Tra ~ Onl 10 ~ 3 ~ ° ~~ $1,758 $7,6i8 Implementing a Recycling Program Trash and 5 3 5 3 $g79 ~3 So9 , Recycling ** Based on FY io-1z rate schedule ;,. ,.~. ~~~, ~ ~~. ~~~- ~.~~ ~~, ~ lu \J ~ ~ ~ Recycling creates jobs. Recycling is responsible for i.i millionjobs in the USA, with that number expected to rise as more governments get behind recycling, creating around $37 million in salaries annually. As well as creatingjobs directly, recycling also creates manyjobs indirectly in the form of private sector contracts, innovation and subsequent revenues and employment. Recycling promotes your company image. As soon as your business begins participating in the recycling program, you will receive a recycling program participation stickerto place in your storefront window. This will show the community your commitment to reducing the amount of waste at your business. The public will be able to take note ofyour efforts and contribution to the Dublin community, which will set you apart as a business that cares. Moreover, forthe businesses that are excellent recyclers (i.e. recycle 75% or more of their waste), the City will invite them to join the 75% club and then will be awarded a 75% Recycling Club member sticker fortheir superior performance and outstanding dedication to the environment. ~ecycling Reduces Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions. Landfills account for a significant portion of the world's greenhouse gas emissions every year. By reducing the annual amount of waste you generate, reusing materials where practical, and recycling as much ofthe remaining waste as possible, GHG emissions will significantly decrease. Not only will you save money on disposal costs, but you will contribute to a healthy environment. FACT: commercial waste makes up about 4o percent of total municipal solid waste. Business and industry operations generate recyclable materials in many areas, such as offices, cafeterias, supply stores, shipping or warehouse units, print shops, and production areas. Many companies are already enthusiastically collecting recyclables in high-profile programs, while others arejust beginning. Collecting recyclables costs money, but it also saves money by reducing the volume of waste that must be disposed. In addition, the sale of some recyclable materials can generate revenues. www.epa.gov ~~ Plan Your Program Recycling saves valuable natural resources. Making products from recycled materials uses less energy and water, and pollutes less than making products from virgin materials. For example: Recycling one glass bottle saves enough energy to light up a ioo watt bulb fory hours. ~ t._ ~. ~~; - _ ~ By recycling every plastic bottle in the nation approximatelytwo billion tons of plastic would be diverted from landfills. ~ ~ , . :t :` ~,~, .~ Recycling iton of paper saves about i7 trees, which absorb ~5o Ibs. of carbon dioxide from the air annually. Step i: Obtain Management Support The first step for implementing a collection program is showing support from top management personnel. Their enthusiasm promotes a similar attitude among employees and customers. The major function of top management is to show how a recycling program can impact the company's bottom line and to help all employees understand the benefits. Superior support from management generates gained support throughout your business. In this way, top management support ensures a more cohesive and successful recycling program. W ~ ~ G ~~_ ~ ~, ,~.~9.~~~~ ~~ :; . ~ ~ _ ~~~ . ~ ~ . .~ _ , . X _ ry N .~ ~ _, , . , ~ r: t` . ~ , c. " ~~ n ` ~ - , , ,. . ~, ~ ~~sa~ r~+... _ ~ ~ -,~. a. _ . _ , -_ ~ .~ . ~ ~ ~'s , ~ ~,. ~~w "~'~;,'~~",~,~`~` ,. ° ~ ~ ~."`~'~i'~'~ °''~~ . s~.. "~'~ ~~'~'~£~~~ ~,~+'~ ~ ~ :. ~.~.~ ~'~~ ~.`~'~~;~ ~v, ~~, ~ ~.~~ , , r a~~~~ + ' p „ ' ,~. ' ,~ . _ „ . _ _ '.r, ' ~. ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ s ~' ~ ~~ ~ representative Step 2: Form a"Green Team" Approaching recycling as a team can ~ help ensure the success ofyour recyding ~~ program. A"green team" is a group of employees interested in recycling and helping to set up and maintain the program. Specifically, it will be responsible for planning, designing, and implementing the program. As such, the company-wide green team should be composed of a cross-section of employees, tenants, management, and/orfacilities staff. By far, the most important consideration when putting together the team is to have each department or tenant that will be affected by the program represented (if practical). Ifyou are in a multi-tenant building, try to have representation from both the tenants and the building management (ideally, the property manager should be a member of the team). It is also important to include representatives from the largest tenants in the building. In either case, it is important that members be enthusiastic about the program and able to commit time to the effort. In the early stages of implementation, you may want to meet more often until the program becomes familiar. Typically, green teams meet once every two weeks or once a month. If you are having trouble starting a green team, this does not mean you should end your efforts to begin a recycling program! Continue to draw assistance from any interested parties: co-workers, employees, staff, etc. To increase motivation and interest for your green team, it is important for all involved to receive periodic recognition for their efforts. Just start small and grow your program over time. Your enthusiasm may inspire others to participate in the future. Green Team Responsibilities Green Team Members / Working with tenants and management to set measurable short- and long-term goals for the program / Gathering and analyzing information relevant to the design and implementation of the program / Promoting the program to employees and tenants and informing them about howthey can participate in the effort / Monitoringthe progress ofthe program / Periodically reporting to management, tenants, and employees about the status of the program Green Team Leader / Answering questions about the program / Creating promotional and educational campaigns / Encouraging participatio~ / Scheduling team meetings / Tracking and recording the progress of the program / Acting as liaison among company management, employees, tenants, and building managers (where applicable) Remember: Recycling can reduce waste disposal costs! Step 3: Contact your property manager Find out if there is a recycling collection infrastructure in place. Ifthere is: determine what items are available for collection such as office paper, cardboard, aluminum can and plastic bottle recycling as a service to building tenants. If your property manager cannot provide recycling or ifthere are no recycling programs in place, meet with your green team to determine what materials you can recycle through local buy-back programs such as aluminum cans and plastic bottles. ~ ~ d * . , ~~ . ~ _.. , ~ ~~,~, .~ _ ~ , ; ~, „~.,.-, _ . . -~ ~ ~ >~~ ,~ ~ . ~ u. , ~ ~_ = t _ , u ` ' ._ ~ , -~ a e ., . ' a ; _ . .,.',~.~eY' . , '~'~~t;~,°..~~. ~ f1~'*.i-N`~: ~.~ . . , .. i ~_ *~f`n;~~"ii- ~'~~ ..z, _ .. .4. . .. ... , '~=as. ~~°~` ~~ ,.~ ~=~niF"',rE ~. . ,~ _. «s _~~ ~~ ,~c„i~~s~~~~ w~~ ~_~! e_ Q. ,~c ir5 ~ ~" Step 4: Conduct a Waste Assessment or waste audit ;~ waste audit is an inventory ofthe amount and type of solid waste (trash) produced at a location. It is the process of looking at what your business throws away and the costs associated with doing so. A waste assessment determines: (i) the quantity of waste your business generates; (z) your current disposal costs; (3) what your business throws away and what could potentially be recycled; and (4) the cost and benefits of your recycling program. This will establish your recycling potential. You can easily calculate 1-4 for your business in the Waste Assessment Worksheets in the Appendix. In addition, AVI will conduct a free waste assessment or you. To find out more about this free service orto schedule an appointment, contact AVI at (gz5) 479-9545• ~~ Design your Program Once you have estimated the waste disposal cost-savings when your business starts to recycle, it is now time for a green team discussion to create a program that works for your business. Again, AVI provides FREE technical assistance to help you through this process, ifyou desire. Step i: Waste Reduction Waste prevention means using fewer materials to get the job done-and ending up with less waste to manage. In addition to environmental benefits, waste prevention saves money. By reducing waste, businesses can avoid the high costs of waste management and lower operating costs. Take a look at your waste data to see ways to reduce waste. The most common forms of waste prevention are: reducing your consumption where possible, reusing materials, and donating items that can be reused by others. Waste Reduction Tips / Make double-sided copies a standard practice / Use rechargeable batteries and toner cartridges. It is easy and cost-effective to return used cartridges / Reuse single-sided paper, file folders, envelopes and boxes, packaging containers, polystyrene packaging "peanuts" and bags / Donate obsolete equipment and furniture to charitable organizations instead ofthrowing them away / Move towards a paperless office by using technology: store computer documents on CD's instead of making paper copies; use voice mail or electronic mail instead of paper memos; use fax(modems to fax and receive documents by computer Step ~: Materials to Recycle The next step is to identify materials that can be easily recycled. Start with the materials that make up the largest portion ofthe waste stream or with the most commonly recycled items: , ~,. - , , ~ . _., ~ ,,s. ~ Common ltems for These ltems are Garbage ONLY Mixed Recyding Keep these ltems OUT! o Magazines and c Plastic bags ~' catalogs o Styrofoam ~,~ o Phonebooks o Ceramics ~_ o Newspapers o Wet or food-soiled paper cups, plates or ~. ~~ o Cardboard food wrappers (Compostable) ~- o Aluminum cans and o Paper towels, paper napkins or facial steel cans tissues (Compostable) o Glass bottles orjars, ; narrow neck plastic ~ bottles, and jugs UniVerSal WUSte (these items must be o Office papers-white hand(ed as hazardous waste orby orcolor, carbonless, specia( recyders) file folders, brochures o Toner and ink jet cartridges o Junk mail, receipts, o Rechargeable batteries envelopes, business c Fluorescent lamps ~ ~h v~ cards c White goods (large appliances) o ElectronicsJeWaste ~ o Computers, monitors, orTV's , _ - ~ O~ For more information or questions on materials eligibie to be recycled, you can contact Amador Valley Industries (AVI) at gz5'479-9545 or visit the+rwebsite at www.amacforvaileyindustries.com. ~n addition, please reference the City of Dublin Recyding Services Commercial How-taGuide orcontactthe Alameda County Recyding Hotline at (877) STOPWASTE (786-79z7) orvisit www.Stopwaste.Or~. Step 3: Set Waste Reduction Goals The next step is to define your waste reduction goals. The EPA's Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste provides some guidance on how to do this and can be found on the EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov. Ultimately, however, your goals will reflect the amount and type of waste generated and those waste management options that are most feasible and cost- effective for your operation. Consider activities that actually prevent waste from being generated and examine the waste that is generated to determine which materials could be collected for recycling. Set both short- and long-term goals that are reasonable and achievable. Your goals should be focused upon a reduction in garbage service levels and program cost savings. Step 4: Collection Recycling haulers offer different services and collect a variety of recyclable materials. In the City of Dublin, AVI provides an easy and local solution when setting up a recycling program. AVI offers free recycling services to all commercial customers that subscribe to garbage service. Customers will be provided with either a cart or a front end loading bin for recyclables depending on the amount of recyclables generated. To find out more about this free service or to schedule an appointment, contact AVI at (gz5) 479-9545~ A few venues, typically smaller-scale or one-time special events, haul their own recyclables. In this case, train staff to collect and transport materials. For more assistance, visit the local buy- back center, rePLANET, located at 7333 Regional St., or contact them at 877-737-5263• Step 5: Coordinate col(ection How are you going to move recyclables from the building to the dumpster? How many recycling dumpsters will you need? Can you replace some of yourtrash dumpsters with recycling dumpsters? Systems that are convenient to use are the most successful. Collection bins should be placed where they are most convenient and close to where the recyclables are generated, such as office desks, copy rooms or break rooms. Your waste assessment~should help ide '~,~'~se locations. Ideally, place recycling collection bins next t` c tr `J~' h can. Make sure that it's just as easy for the public to recycle a' throw something away. To avoid confusion, the recycling bins should look different from trash cans and be easy to identify. Consider the size ofthe venue and availab~e storage space when determining how frequently the recyclables._i~ust be hauled. Be sure t~ w your custodial operations staff in any of your recyclin s. Inform the custodians that they will be handling the same amount of materials, only now they will empty the regular garbage and the recyclable material into separate containers. Distribute materials to custodial staff to help them implement the program. Most recycling programs work b~ hen integrated with existing custodial operations. Custodian4~~ ollect recyclables at the same time as they ax~cc~ld~c.ting garba~e, orthey can alternate collection of waste and recyclables on different days. Consult periodically with your custodial staffto get their input and feedback on the program. Their insight may help you make any needed changes to the program. Coordinating collection and communicating with your janitorial crew can make or break your recycling program efforts. ~ ~ ~ d Step 6: Costs have your recycling program in place, you may notice that you are not filling up your garbage dumpster as fast. Offset the cost of recycling by reducing your garbage collection frequency or bin size. Start your Customer and/or employee participation ~; is critical to the success ofyour program. If you ~~~° want strong participation, you must educate customers and/or employees about the program and make it easy for everyone to participate. Step s: Educate staff This is the key to a successful recycling program in any office or commercial facility. The more you can educate, the higher the participation you will have and the less contamination you'll find in the collected materials. In addition, there will be fewer complaints received, and the more efficient your program will be in the long run. Importantly, your garbage bill may be lower each month. Education is the best way to encourage the public and your staffto recycle. Include signage and/or literature at the site showing how much has been recycled already or goals that you are trying to reach. This will stimulate participation. Use signs, displays or other announcements, and/or text as instructional and motivational tools: WHY they should recycle. WHAT they should recycle. WHERE they can recycle. HOW they can recycle. Step z: Plan a fun kick-off event Hold a kick-off event to introduce your new program. You may want to have the kick-off be a stand-alone event, or hold it in conjunction with a related state or national environmental program (e.g., Earth Day or America Recycles Day). The training sessions should take place in conjunction with the kickoff. They can be conducted independently or as part of regularly scheduled staff meetings (e.g., as part of a safety meeting). V ~ ~ d `~ Sustain your Program After you have launched your new recycling program, you will want to ensure its continued success. Company and public recognition will keep customers and/or employees motivated and enthusiastic. Step s: Track your success It's important to monitor and evaluate the program to ensure its viability and success. Have your green team meet regularly to evaluate your recycling program's progress. A successful program will continue to grow in volume recycled. The team can also address other green issues such as energy consumption and alternative transportation. ~: Keep Everyone Informed ~ular updates to customers, employers and management ~rogram. Employees need to know that their nt helps achieve the program's goals. Update your arly on the program's progress. te the Program ~ Wher~~our businessjoins the hundreds of other businesses already recycling, say so! Publicize your efforts by get~ing the message to employees, management and the public. When you make a commitment to recycle, you're helping to reduce waste and improve the environment-the public, including your customers, will appreciate that! The goal of promotion is to maximize participation and ensure ~ ~ :~ ~ ~ .<,~~ ~ ~~~; { ~,,~,~~~a .~ ~~`~" ~ ' ~ compliance with the program requirements. Don't forget that for your initiative in developing a waste recycling program, you will be given a recycling sticker, and forthe excellent recyclers, the 75% Recycling Club sticker to place in your storefront window to help publicize your efforts from the City of Dublin. ...So get started today! Call AVI at gz5-479-9545 Many businesses have shown that using resources wisely leads to greater efficiency and contributes to their bottom line. Businesses who take the initiative to develop waste reduction and recycling programs really help make a difference in the quality of our city's environment today and in the future! ~. . }°~c.,.~s,~~4~. «.~a+ "s~c?',~~"s . ~ ~ :..~,. .. » a„ ~ d CITY OF .~ ~UBLIN °° " ~ Appendix B: Waste Assessment Part 1 Waste Generation Worksheet Complete this worksheet to determine how much waste your business currently generates. See Appendix B fortypes of collection containers Containers Total Weekly Container Waste Quantity Size Capacity Collection Fullest at Generated Frequency Collection Weekly (%) X = X X = X = X X = X = X X = X = X X = X = X X = + TOTAL WASTE GENERATED = X 5z weeks per yr TOTAL VOLUME OF WASTE GENERATED ANNUALLY = Multiply by tones per cubic yard (see conversion table below) X TOTAL WEIGHT OF WASTE GENERATED ANNUALLY = Conversion Cubic vards of Waste to Tons Type of Waste Tons per Cubic Yard Uncom actedGarba e o.i43Tons Compacted o. z5 Tons Uncompacted Leaves and Limbs o.083 Tons Soil or Industrial Slud e s.o Tons Construction & Demolition Debris i.o Tons Conversion Example: If your business produces a total of io5o cubic yards of uncompacted garbage annually, the estimated weight would be s,o5o cubic yards x o.i43 tons/cubic yards = i5o tons of garbage peryear. Appendix B: Resources Additional resources such as sample fliers, fact sheets, and other recycling program templates can be found at the following: Waste Reduction Resources Close the loop-Buy recycled! http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/rcpl Develop an environmental policy htt~//www.ciwmb.ca.gov/BizWaste/FactSheets/Policy.html Reduce and reuse http://www.epa.qov/wastewise/ Alameda County Waste Management Authority www.stopwaste.ora/ ~ ~0_~,.~~ ~./-.. ~ Ir~ ~ r ~ ~ Appendix C: Waste Assessment Waste Stream Worksheet This worksheet is designed to help you identify the materials that your business currently throws away and what percent could be recycled. Walk through your business and estimate the amount of each material that is in the garbage. Once you have a visual estimate of what is in your garbage, approximate what percentage of each material could be reduced, reused, recycled, and disposed. (See next page) Visual Estimate (%) Recycle (%) Dispose (%) Material Electronics Small Appliances Large Appliances (A/C, Washer/Dryer) Computers Small Consumer Electronics TVs Glass Bottles/Jars/Containers Metal Aluminum Cans Stee) Cans Scrap Paper Newspaper Cardboard Office paper Phone Book & Directories Other Misc. paper All Plastics Other Yard Waste Food (i.e., food, good-soiled paper, napkins, wax cardboard, etc.) Textiles, carpet, clothing Misc. Items