HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 11/29/2011 - UPDATE ON SOLID WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING IN FDATE: November 29, 2011
STAFF: Susie Gordon
Pre-taped staff presentation: available
at fcgov.com/clerk/agendas.php
WORK SESSION ITEM
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Update on Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling in Fort Collins.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In August, staff reported to City Council that a 43% communitywide waste diversion rate was
reached in 2010, up from 38% in 2009 but still below a goal for 50% waste diversion set in 1999.
This work session offers opportunity for staff to describe two ongoing consulting projects for waste
diversion/reduction, outreach campaigns, and new program development for recycling at business
and multi-family locations.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
This work session is informational only, but staff welcomes Council comments
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
A fundamental element of environmental stewardship, recycling is an easy, convenient “gateway”
for Fort Collins citizens to become involved. Furthermore, when citizens reduce their waste and
recycle, the City’s Pay-as-you-throw ordinance (PAYT) enables them to save on their household
trash bills. The positive experience generates enthusiasm – there are many ardent recyclers in Fort
Collins – and confidence to adopt further practices that support environmental sustainability.
The inception of Fort Collins’ first recycling program traces back 25 years and there has since been
steady growth and progress. There are now more types and volumes of materials collected
(Attachment 1); there is a high public opinion rating of the quality of local recycling programs
(Attachments 2 and 3); and there are consistent levels of participation by 85% or more of single-
family households. However, analysis of 2010 data show that the community’s waste diversion rate
is still falling below adopted goals.
Metrics and Accountability
Using reporting tools provided in the City’s trash ordinance, staff in the Environmental Services
Division of the Natural Resources Department calculates the annual waste diversion rate for the
community. Highlights from the analysis of 2010 data include:
November 29, 2011 Page 2
• Recycling volumes have remained stable for three years; on average 75,000 tons of fiber
(paper) materials, commingled containers (plastic, glass, aluminum and steel containers), and
organic materials (yard and food waste) were collected annually.
• Trash volumes dropped at a rate of 15-20% each year since 2008, a trend reflected across
the country that many attribute to the national economy.
• The Fort Collins community has reached a 43% waste diversion level. This figure includes
tonnages that are attributed to citizens’ source reduction behaviors, which are statistically
verified to result from PAYT programs.
• The quality of data is improving.
N Installation of truck scales at the Larimer County landfill in 2010 enables the City
to monitor hauling companies’ actual weights instead of calculating the weight from
“cubic yards of trash.”
N Staff continually obtains new sources of information about diverted materials that
broadens knowledge of waste diversion activities in the community.
N With the hire of a new data analyst, NRD has increased ability to continuously
improve reports for waste diversion and other waste reduction measurements.
• The City follows a protocol for reporting the community’s waste diversion rate using EPA
definitions that omit industrial categories of recycling such as asphalt and concrete.
N A data collection priority is to avoid inadvertent duplicate counting for recycling
tonnages and staff strives to prevent misrepresentations that skew the numbers.
N The community’s diversion rate would be higher if a different methodology was
used.
New Projects
The City has demonstrated strong commitment to waste diversion over the years. Still, Fort Collins
hasn’t reached its adopted goal of 50% diversion. Thus, several new projects are underway that may
help boost the City’s diversion rate.
Two reports are under development that will identify and explore additional actions that can improve
recycling. The first report will be completed in December. The report will identify which three (at
minimum) additional materials the City could collect at a public recycling drop-off site. The report
will analyze the costs and potential return-on-investment associated with the materials. It also will
provide site-specific information about three potentially new drop-off locations if it becomes
necessary to expand to a larger site from the current Rivendell recycling facility. The second report
will be delivered in January 2012 and will identify what is still in the community’s waste stream that
could be captured using enhanced recovery systems and facilities, including recycling, composting,
bio-digesters, and nontraditional combustion processes, which recently are being introduced for
converting waste to energy. These exciting investigations may result in implementation projects that
would be proposed in the 2012 Budgeting for Outcomes process.
In addition to the reports, the City Council allocated funding from Keep Fort Collins Great revenues
November 29, 2011 Page 3
to hire an additional .5 FTE environmental planner to promote recycling among businesses and
multi-family housing. Since May, Caroline Mitchell has developed programs based on input from
local businesses, haulers, and comparable communities. New services that are now available include
free information and on-site assessments, outreach and education materials, and rebates to reward
businesses and apartment complexes for starting a recycling or composting program.
Expanded public outreach programs to promote recycling were also undertaken this year
(Attachment 4). The I Recycle campaign includes ads, posters, and social media highlighting
individuals who recycle and their reasons for doing so. The Recycle Everywhere You Go campaign
is aimed at reminding the public to recycle “on the go” and that away-from-home recycling is
available throughout the community. Staff compiled a map of all the City-provided recycling bins
throughout the community, which is available on the City’s website. Outreach for this campaign
has included banners hung on light poles throughout the community, as well as stickers provided
at festivals, City outreach events, and at schools.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Citizens typically cite their concern for the environment as the main reason they are engaged in the
voluntary curbside or drop-off systems. Recycling and waste reduction contribute to a variety of
environmental benefits, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, both from landfill methane and
from “up-stream” energy usage when new products are manufactured from virgin materials; water
conservation and reduced pollution associated with re-manufacturing; fewer raw materials mined
and therefore natural habitat and ecosystems conserved; and, longer lifespans for landfills that also
result in savings to taxpayers.
In the Fort Collins community, many people routinely salvage conventional recyclable commodities
such as cardboard, paper, and containers made from plastics, glass, steel, and aluminum. However,
many people also take initiative to divert harder-to-recycle materials. There is a growing segment
of the community willing to source-separate lumber, woody branches and other yard trimmings by
using the services of a curbside collectors’ services or a local commercial composter, practicing
back-yard composting, or going on-line to give away their fall leaves through the Leaf Exchange.
Increasingly, residents are also discovering opportunities to divert things like asphalt and concrete
(thus garnering highly significant GHG savings), architectural materials such as doors and windows
at local recovery businesses, and used cooking oil, to name a few.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Staff memo dated August 8, 2011; Semi-Annual Solid Waste Report
2. Excerpts from City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey, 2010: Environmental Health ratings
3. Excerpts from Fort Collins 2011 Air Quality/Recycling Survey: Recycling questions, report
of results
4. Advertising and outreach materials from new publicity campaigns to promote recycling
5. Powerpoint presentation
Attachment 1
November 29, 2011
Work Session
MEMO
DATE: August 8, 2011
TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Through: Wendy Williams, Assistant City Manager
Marty Heffernan, CPRE Director
John Stokes, NRD Director
From: Susie Gordon, Sr. Environmental Planner
Caroline Mitchell, Environmental Planner
RE: Semi-Annual Solid Waste Report
In 1999, Fort Collins’ City Council adopted a resolution for the community to reach a diversion goal of
50% by 2010. Staff in the Natural Resources Department (NRD) has reviewed collective data for 2010
and established that a community-wide waste diversion rate of 43% was reached.
The most significant observation was a 19% drop in the tons of garbage collected in Fort Collins, a
decrease of 30,000 tons compared to 2009. (At the same time, recycling volumes grew about 1% - by
1,005 tons.) The City’s information corresponds to national trends during the economic recession of
2008-10; during this time landfill managers throughout the country, including Larimer County Landfill,
received 15-20% less material for disposal at their facilities. A correlation between landfill volumes and
economic conditions has been long recognized in the trash industry. During recessions, people buy fewer
goods and make existing products last longer, thereby creating less waste.
In Fort Collins, citizens who took advantage of pay-as-you-throw trash rates were able to increase their
waste diversion as well as save on their trash bills. In addition, with decent prices being paid for
recyclable commodities like steel, more people were likely to take scrap metal to buy-back centers to
make a little money. Finally, the development industry, normally a large contributor of construction and
demolition (C&D) debris, was sluggish. As the economy improves, trash volumes may also rebound
unless peoples’ new-found habits of frugality are maintained.
2010 Raw Data and Sources
Total landfill tons 129,867
Total diversion (recycling) tons 76,698
Diversion rate 37%
Diversion rate w/ source reduction factor of 6%* 43%
*Based on nationally researched data, communities with pay-as-you-throw programs such as Fort Collins
may use a placeholder to represent the decrease in trash that occurs as a result of source reduction efforts
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by citizens. For 2010, nearly 8,000 tons of waste were calculated to have been deliberately avoided
through source reduction strategies, e.g., using mulching mowers for lawn care, and, buying goods in bulk
to prevent the need to dispose of excessive packaging.
Methodology
The City collects data directly from licensed trash haulers and recycling companies (listed in Appendix A)
for volumes of garbage and volumes of recyclables, and uses Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
classifications for discarded materials1, which excludes many industrially-generated wastes. For instance,
while the City notes the amount of asphalt and concrete recycled into road-base by the Streets Department
(over 85,000 tons in 2010), as industrial material these tons are not factored into the community waste
diversion calculation.
The mathematical formula used by City to calculate waste diversion rate is based on EPA’s methodology2
for municipal solid waste (MSW) diversion:
Total MSW Recycled
________________________________ x 100
Total MSW Generated
(MSW Recycled + MSW Disposed)
Amendments to the PAYT ordinance went into effect in 2010 that require haulers to now report trash
volumes by weight. Since then, Larimer County Landfill installed three in-ground scales for customers to
use, which will allow haulers to easily and routinely track their tonnages. This represents a significant
improvement to the accuracy of MSW data - it is no longer necessary to convert yardage to weight-based
measurements3. The increased accuracy due to scale weights will be reflected in the 2011 reports.
2010 Enhancements to Waste Diversion & Recycling
The City Council adopted a requirement (2009) for the licensed haulers in Fort Collins to provide larger
recycling containers to residential customers upon request. Haulers were given the option of charging a
refundable advance deposit for lidded “poly-cart” containers to replace the small, open-topped tubs that
were previously available. Customers’ selections for larger recycling container size must also be
documented as part of the City’s reporting requirements. As of 2010, nearly 55% of curbside recyclers in
Fort Collins moved up to one of the poly-carts.
Distribution of Recycling Service Levels:
45.5% =18-gal. tubs
36.5% = 65-gal. carts
1 EPA’s MSW recycled materials classification list includes: paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metals, electronics, yard waste,
food scraps, batteries, tires, commingled containers, textiles and Styrofoam.
2 http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/tools/recmeas/docs/guide.pdf
3 We do, however, continue to apply EPA weight conversion coefficients for certain recyclable material categories, such as
wood debris, which are often measured in yardage by voluntarily reporting facilities.
- 3 -
18.4% = 95-gal. carts
Another new PAYT provision requires haulers to report on the number of customers at each level of
service for trash. As of 2010, the City now has baseline data for measuring households’ progress in
“down-sizing” their residential garbage service subscriptions over time.
Distribution of Trash Service Levels:
33.2% = one-can per week or less service
36.2% = two-can per week service
30.6% = three-can per week4 service
Other Initiatives
Citizens increasingly express interest in diverting more organics from landfill disposal, as evidenced in
2010 by the emergence of two companies in Fort Collins that offer food scrap collection and composting.
With 25-30% of Larimer County Landfill’s space being consumed by organic material5, there are large
gains to be made in waste diversion, especially by certain types of businesses such as restaurants and
groceries. A limiting factor is the distance (60 miles each way) to transport loads to the nearest permitted
composting facility that accepts food scraps. As a demonstration project, the City of Fort Collins piloted
a small, in-vessel composting system using manufactured equipment known as Earth Tubs. Five “client”
restaurants and City buildings have been collecting food scraps that are made into compost, which is then
used as a soil amendment in flower pots that decorate the Old Town area.
In addition to composting initiatives, an RFP to examine and characterize the waste stream and its
potential for additional diversion, including waste-to-energy opportunities, will be released in the near
future.
As a result of the KFCG citizens’ initiative, new funding became available in 2011 for staffing, including
a .5 FTE in the City’s waste reduction and recycling program. Among other duties, the new position will
create and implement strategies to enhance recycling by the commercial sector and by multi-family
residents of Fort Collins. The new FTE, Caroline Mitchell, recently started her job and her efforts will
gather steam this year and next.
Increased attention is also being directed internally to waste diversion by the municipal operations of the
City, with a goal of halving the organization’s waste stream.
The internal office-place recycling program continues to function at robust levels nearly 20 years
after its inception. The City’s contracts for recycling and trash hauling were combined into one
service during 2010, with new performance goals for down-sizing waste volumes.
An important project has been the development of greater composting capability for plant and tree
trimmings generated by parks, cemeteries, urban forestry, and streets maintenance work.
The long-established crushing operations managed by the Streets Department, which recycles
85,000-110,000 tons of old asphalt and cement (and porcelain fixtures) each year into road-base, is
increasingly popular with the public.
4 Three‐can service equates to a 95‐gallon cart.
5 2007 Larimer County Landfill Waste Characterization citation
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Twenty of our tube-shaped street sweeping brooms were recycled into “backscratchers” by the
livestock industry.
Utilities crews routinely dry excavated soil from maintenance jobs to be used later as back-fill.
Scrap metal from all departments is recycled and the revenues are returned to the City’s budget.
In City construction and/or demolition projects, Operations Services sets high goals for recovering
building materials, such as historic bricks that were salvaged from the recently deconstructed
Creamery building.
An exciting new opportunity is available at several large City office buildings for employees to set
aside lunch scraps, coffee grounds, etc. to be collected and placed in “Earth Tubs” for composting.
We anticipate that more City buildings will be added to the collection route in coming months.
Conclusions
A community-wide waste diversion rate of 43% stands as the City’s final calculation for 2010, including
both residential and commercial sectors. We are unable to find a peer city in this part of the country with
which to compare Fort Collins’ overall diversion rate. Many municipalities only report residential waste
diversion, since that information is often readily available. The City of Loveland, for instance, has
documented a 54% residential waste diversion rate. However, since Fort Collins’ haulers do not collect
residential waste separately from their commercial customer route, it is not possible for us to make a
reasonable comparison with Loveland’s residential-only data.
The most recent (2009) data collected by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment6
show Colorado’s citizens averaged 1.7 pounds of recycling and 6.8 pounds of trash per day, a total 8.5
pounds of “discards”. Based on a population total of 144,0007 , in 2010 it appears the citizens of Fort
Collins discarded less material than their counterparts in other parts of the state, with 3.0 pounds of
recycling and 5.1 pounds of landfill waste per day (8.1 pounds of discards).
6 2009 Annual Report to the Colorado General Assembly on the Status of the Solid Waste and Material Management Program
in Colorado (http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hm/sw/100201legrpt.pdf ).
7 http://www.fcgov.com/advanceplanning/trends.php
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APPENDIX A
Reporting Sources – Trash
Trash hauler reports (2x / yr); source: NRD, hauler reports per ordinance for commercial and
residentially-generated trash
CSU (annual); voluntary source: CSU facilities department
% Larimer County Landfill citizen self-haul (annual); voluntary source: Larimer County Solid
Waste Department
Fort Collins municipal self-haul (annual); source: Larimer County Solid Waste Department
Reporting Sources – Recycling
Trash hauler reports (2x / yr); source: NRD, hauler reports per ordinance for recycling
Trash hauler reports (2x / yr); voluntary source: NRD, hauler reports for composting
CSU (annual); voluntary source: CSU facilities department
Hageman Earth Cycle (annual); voluntary source: Hageman Earth Cycle
Recycling companies (annual); voluntary sources including but not limited to: Waste-Not
Recycling; Professional Document Management; National Recycling; Aragon Iron & Metal;
Colorado Iron & Metal
Fort Collins municipal operations wood waste recycling (annual); source: NRD
Rivendell Recycling Center (annual); source: NRD (as reported by recycling vendor, currently
National Recycling)
Larimer Recycling Drop-Off (annual); voluntary source: Larimer County Solid Waste
Department
CITY OF FORT COLLINS CITIZEN SURVEY
REPORT OF RESULTS
July 2010
Prepared by:
3005 30th Street • Boulder, CO 80301 • 303-444-7863 • www.n-r-c.com
ATTACHMENT 2
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey
Report of Results
PREPARED BY NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER, INC.
Page 20
Environmental Health
A set of six survey questions assessed residents’ perceptions of the quality of the environment in
Fort Collins. About 9 in 10 residents praised the overall quality of the environment (89% “good” or
“very good”), drinking water quality (88%), and the community’s visual attractiveness (86%).
Approximately 8 in 10 gave a “good” or “very good” rating when asked to rate the remaining
aspects of the environment, including air quality in Fort Collins (85%), the City’s conservation
efforts (81%), and City recycling programs (78%).
All environmental topics were given much higher marks by Fort Collins residents than those living
in other jurisdictions across the nation and in the Front Range (with the exception of conservation
efforts, for which no comparison data were available).
Table 9: Ratings of the Environment in Fort Collins
Please rate the quality of the
environment in Fort Collins
on each of the items listed
below.
Very good
Good
Average
Bad
Very bad
Total
National
comparison
Front Range
comparison
Overall quality of
environment 36% 53% 10% 1% 0% 100% Much above Much above
Drinking water quality 52% 36% 11% 1% 0% 100% Much above Much above
Community's visual
attractiveness 36% 50% 13% 1% 0% 100% Much above Much above
Air quality 35% 49% 15% 1% 0% 100% Much above Much above
Conservation efforts 32% 50% 16% 1% 1% 100% NA NA
Recycling programs 38% 40% 18% 2% 2% 100% Much above Much above
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey
Report of Results
PREPARED BY NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER, INC.
Page 21
Questions related to Fort Collins’ environment were compared to previous survey years. A higher
proportion of respondents in 2010 than in 2008 rated the City’s conservation efforts as “very good”
or “good” (81% in 2010 versus 75% in 2008).
Figure 5: Quality of the Environment Compared by Year
71%
57%
73%
64%
63%
79%
69%
72%
83%
88%
83%
79%
75%
84%
91%
91%
89%
78%
81%
85%
86%
88%
89%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Recycling programs
Conservation efforts
Air quality
Community's visual
attractiveness
Drinking water quality
Overall quality of
environment
Percent reporting "very good" or "good"
2010
2008
2006
2003
2001
These ratings were compared by respondent characteristics and by geographic area of residence.
Air quality and conservation efforts were rated less favorably by residents who reported living in
Fort Collins for 11 or more years than those living in the City for a shorter period of time. Shorter
term residents (5 years or less) were less likely to give high marks for drinking water quality than
were those reporting a longer length of residency. Residents living in dormitories gave higher
ratings for recycling programs than those living in detached units or apartments (see Appendix D.
Comparison of Select Questions by Respondent Characteristics).
City of Fort Collins Citizen Survey
Report of Results
PREPARED BY NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER, INC.
Page 50
Appendix B. Complete Set of Survey Frequencies
The following pages contain a complete set of responses to each question, including “no opinion”
responses.
Question 1
Please rate Fort Collins as a community
on each of the items listed below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
Overall, as a place to live 60% 33% 7% 0% 0% 0% 100%
Overall safety of residents 37% 50% 11% 2% 0% 0% 100%
Availability and diversity of shopping 23% 37% 31% 8% 2% 0% 100%
Availability and diversity of dining 47% 33% 16% 3% 1% 0% 100%
Availability and diversity of
entertainment 20% 38% 34% 7% 1% 2% 100%
Availability and diversity of job
opportunities 4% 21% 40% 19% 8% 8% 100%
Availability of affordable quality housing 9% 30% 38% 14% 3% 5% 100%
Availability and diversity of arts and
cultural activities 17% 42% 29% 6% 1% 4% 100%
Availability and diversity of recreational
opportunities 48% 36% 12% 1% 0% 2% 100%
Availability of quality healthcare 29% 37% 18% 4% 2% 10% 100%
Quality of public schools 25% 29% 13% 2% 1% 29% 100%
Quality of public library services 32% 35% 16% 1% 0% 16% 100%
As a place to raise children 43% 32% 9% 1% 0% 16% 100%
As a place to retire 33% 29% 13% 2% 1% 21% 100%
As a place to attend college 48% 37% 8% 1% 0% 6% 100%
As a place to work 28% 39% 23% 4% 2% 5% 100%
Community openness and acceptance of
all people 22% 40% 28% 6% 2% 2% 100%
Overall quality of life in Fort Collins 44% 44% 11% 1% 0% 0% 100%
Question 2
Please rate the quality of the
environment in Fort Collins on each of
the items listed below.
Very
good Good Average Bad
Very
bad
No
opinion Total
Community's visual attractiveness 36% 50% 13% 1% 0% 0% 100%
Air quality 35% 49% 15% 1% 0% 0% 100%
Drinking water quality 52% 36% 10% 1% 0% 1% 100%
Recycling programs 37% 39% 18% 2% 2% 2% 100%
Conservation efforts 30% 47% 15% 1% 1% 6% 100%
Overall quality of environment 36% 53% 10% 1% 0% 0% 100%
Attachment 3
November 29, 2011
Work Session
Air Quality & Recycling Survey
Report of Results
2011
Page 25 - excerpts
Support for recycling in Fort Collins was strong. Most residents in Fort Collins
(about 80%) somewhat or strongly agreed that businesses and residents in both
single and multi-family dwellings should be required to recycle. About 90% of
respondents would like to see yard waste recycling options for single-family
residences. Most do not think that smaller businesses should be exempt from
recycling requirements.
Figure 1: To Help Increase Recycling I Think: (2011)
Attachment 3
November 29, 2011
Work Session
Page 54
Question 26
I recycle at the following level: 2011 2007
Number Percent Number Percent
Can’t, it is not available 43 10% 49 9%
Never, but it is available 18 4% 79 14%
Less than once a month 3 1% 0 0%
Once a month 19 4% 90 16%
Twice a month or more 326 75% 345 61%
Don’t know 23 5% 0 0%
Curbside recycling program
Total 432 100% 564 100%
Can’t, it is not available 79 20% 106 19%
Never, but it is available 85 22% 98 18%
Less than once a month 58 15% 0 0%
Once a month 20 5% 150 27%
Twice a month or more 62 16% 196 36%
Don’t know 90 23% 0 0%
Yard trimmings
Total 393 100% 549 100%
Can’t, it is not available 62 15% 106 19%
Never, but it is available 71 18% 81 15%
Less than once a month 142 35% 0 0%
Once a month 7 2% 121 22%
Twice a month or more 9 2% 239 44%
Don’t know 110 27% 0 0%
Electronic waste
Total 400 100% 547 100%
Can’t, it is not available 18 4% NA NA
Never, but it is available 140 35% NA NA
Less than once a month 97 24% NA NA
Once a month 29 7% NA NA
Twice a month or more 17 4% NA NA
Don’t know 103 25% NA NA
Drop-off site at Rivendell
School, NE corner of Riverside
and E. Prospect*
Total 405 100% NA NA
2007 had different response categories they matched to 2011 data as follows: "Always"= "Twice a
month or more, "Sometimes"="Once a month", "Never"="Never", "Can't/Don't know"="Can't, it is not
available
Attachment 3
November 29, 2011
Work Session
Page 54
Question 27 (2011 only)
To help increase recycling I think: Number Percent
Strongly agree 256 57%
Somewhat agree 95 21%
Somewhat
disagree
46 10%
Strongly disagree 44 10%
Don’t know 6 1%
All businesses should be required to recycle
Total 447 100%
Strongly agree 54 13%
Somewhat agree 75 17%
Somewhat
disagree
116 27%
Strongly disagree 161 37%
Don’t know 24 6%
Only businesses of 15 or more employees should be required
to recycle
Total 430 100%
Strongly agree 258 58%
Somewhat agree 98 22%
Somewhat
disagree
34 8%
Strongly disagree 46 10%
Don’t know 10 2%
Multi-family apartments should be required to recycle
Total 445 100%
Strongly agree 230 52%
Somewhat agree 111 25%
Somewhat
disagree
41 9%
Strongly disagree 53 12%
Don’t know 10 2%
Single-family residents should be required to recycle
Total 445 100%
Strongly agree 273 62%
Somewhat agree 129 29%
Single-family residents should have options for yard-waste
recycling
Somewhat
disagree
9 2%
Attachment 3
November 29, 2011
Work Session
Strongly disagree 19 4%
Don’t know 13 3%
Total 443 100%
Attachment 3
November 29, 2011
Work Session
Appendix VI
Page 5
Prepared by National Research Center, Inc.
Appendix III: Verbatim Responses to Openended Survey
Questions
Following are verbatim responses to open-ended questions as written on the
survey in the respondents’ own words, which have not been edited for spelling
or grammar. Within each question, the responses are in alphabetical order.
Question 28: Please tell us if there are any parts of the recycling system in Fort
Collins that don’t work for you or that you would like to see changed.
Comments related to cost
City should provide low-cost drop-off recycling of E-waste, Incl. Batteries, 2. City
should provide free drop-off recycling of scrap metal.
Curb side free service good.
Free curbside.
Free yard waste & other house hold recycling.
I like the free recycling program with Gallegos sanitation. If yard waste has free as well
that would be great.
I take my recycling to work and deposit in their bins. I think FTC should have a free
location to drop off.
I think it's great! The only thing that may not work for some people is the cost. I feel
really good filling my recycle bin full every 2 WKS!
If you make the recycle program voluntary and no cost. People will use it I believe
Need to have our company offer more pickups at curbside recycle without charging.
Recycling, including yard waste should be free. Curbside City should pick up leaves
raked into street in fall for compost (free).
The Taft hill land fill requires residents to pay too electronic and non-paper waste. Bad
Bad policy!!
Too expensive.
Too many containers for amount of storage area at residence - also too expensive.
We need a higher return like California or Michigan, than people will recycle, & it’s all
about money.
We recycle as long as it is free of charge. It currently is free through our waste removal
company.
Would like to see no charge for electronic waste recycle. For you can trough/piece into
the dump at a time.
Comments related to single or multi stream
1. Attract markets to purchase recycled water, 2. Reduce contamination in single.
Attachment 3
November 29, 2011
Work Session
Appendix VI
Page 6
Prepared by National Research Center, Inc.
Curbside recycling is co-mingled. Rivendell has too many separated bins - makes it a
pain to have 5! Bins at my house. Rivendell should have one co-mingled at least.
Looks like a very inefficient process to co-mingle all recyclables only to have to
separate them later.
Paper should probably be separated rather than dumped in with everything else as it
used to be.
Separate bins for plastics & glass composting bins would be good too.
Single-stream trash/recycle should be implemented.
The curbside recycle program should require better sorting - it seems that most of the
material is being contaminated by broken glass & errant additions.
The drop-off site near riverside should be single-stream!
Comments related to item type
A definitive list of every item that can be recycle, i.e. TV dinner cartons & plastic
containers in them-cups (Wendy's) etc.
Add Styrofoam recycling; allow recycling of plastic food containers if washed.
Better pet waste recycling easier/better household chemical/hazardous waste
recycling.
Broader scope of curbside recycling (I.E. Styrofoam, electronics) composing should be
more encouraged/taught.
Can't recycle certain plastics, milk & juice cantons covered with plastic coating.
Electronic recycling is needed, I read the paper and inserts but never see anything.
Expand plastic recycling to include all types. Add green/composting recycling to single
homes.
For a city this size not to have yard waste drop-off should be felonious!! Idiots!!
I think it should be easier / encouraged to recycle household batteries.
I was not aware of the programs how do I recycle office paper all newspapers.
I was used to separating recyclables & recycling Polystyrene foam that should be
available.
I would like to know where old appliances, old computers, can be recycled.
I would like to see curbside glass recycle separated from the remaining co-mingled
material.
I would like to see more plastic recycling. Also, I would like a bottle/can deposit to
encourage recycling.
I'd love to know more about electronic waste recycling - I'm not aware of such a
program, & we need one!
I'm perpetually confused by what is recyclable and what is not. Jar lids? Clam shell
containers? A good, clear pouch that doesn't change would be great!
Improve explanation of acceptable items. Put sticker on recycling bins/boxes.
Is there a better way to recycle clothes paper clips, pencils etc.
I've heard rumors (from breweries) that the city does not actually recycle glass.
Attachment 3
November 29, 2011
Work Session
Appendix VI
Page 7
Prepared by National Research Center, Inc.
Knowing how clean items need to be in order to be recycled.
Milk cartons and the like should be recycled.
More accessible or better advertised electronics recycling.
More signs available in stores as to what containers & numbers are accepted in Ft
Collins.
Need info on electronic waste.
Need option for Styrofoam.
Need to have recycling available for Styrofoam and yard waste.
Plastics are confusing; push for less packaging.
Please ban Telephone Company from issuing phone books unless requested by
customers.
Styrofoam collection. Reduction in trash cost for recycling implemented. Weekly pickup
please.
Styrofoam recycling should be added.
Take Styrofoam.
The descriptions on the Corr. Cardboard & paper board containers at the Rivendell site
need better details.
We should be able to recycle more types of plastic; electronics recycling should be
easier to access; should be able to recycle grocery bags in curbside recycle bins.
We use a lot of waxed cartons & aseptic packages (for tofu & soy milk). I'd like to be
able to recycle those. More frequent hazardous or pharmaceutical waste days. (Seems
like they happen when I'm out of town).
What is accepted for recycling can be confusing; would like to drop
batteries/electronics somewhere other than landfill.
Where can we take old TVs and computers for free disposal?
Would like to recycle Styrofoam.
Comments related to yard waste
Cheaper, year-long availability of the yard waste cars.
Drop off for electronic recycling, leaf recycling at parks, branches at parks, used oil at
more places, having more drop off days for paint etc.
Fort Collins should adopt the city of Loveland’s yard waste & recycling program.
Garbage companies provide yard waste pick up as part of package w/o high additional
cost.
Green waste (yard trimming) recycling should be easier.
I don't know but the yard trimmings program.
I have no obvious direction to go with yard waste.
I have to pay for yard trimmings at Hageman’s about 3 or 4 times a year - I wish our
neighbor would have a method of doing this.
I would like to see more yard waste recycling options since we don't compost.
Attachment 3
November 29, 2011
Work Session
Appendix VI
Page 8
Prepared by National Research Center, Inc.
In spring & fall, the city of Ft. Collins should have some type of tax break for private
waste trash services to pick up residential yard trimmings & leaves at no cost to
residents.
Love the curbside recycling. Curbside - or at least easy - yard waste would be helpful.
Need year-round curbside recycling for yard waste.
No yard waste available in F.C.
Offer free yard waste recycling - possibly once per month.
Only small amount yard waste - would not deliver container for it pick up.
Please please please add a free yard waste/recycle program it would help everyone and
make for the city.
Residential curbside yard waste recycling would be great. We even had that in
Kentucky. Also, I don't think anyone should be required to recycle. But there should be
incentives.
The yard waste (above) would be great - Also a composting option!
What about composting or the programs in Boulder for compost in public buildings?
Would like to have a yard waste site to dispose of tree branches etc. available.
Yard trimming recycle sites are avail. But, for a cost. I don't mind recycling yard
trimmings, but I will not pay for it.
Yard trimmings - I'm not sure how/where to recycle my yard debris.
Yard waste recycling is good, saves Lar. Co money and improves land fill life and
quality. Make it free, it'll get used more.
Yard waste recycling would be good if it was a reasonable cost.
Comments related to increasing service (pickup, hours or locations)
Either extended hours or one extra Saturday per month to drop off electronics
recycling the WM facility.
Have to drive several miles to recycle oil, antifreeze or pay extra for yard trimmings.
I fill up my recycle more than my trash, but it only comes every other week. It should
be switched with trash pick-up.
I use Gallegos sanitation & they only pick up recycle cars every other week. Recycle
cars should be picked up every week.
I would recycle but unaware of location at City Park & Elizabeth St. Convenient enough
to walk trash too. It breaks my heart, really.
Instead of every two weeks pick up make it every week because it fills up too fast.
Larger recycling containers, our 95-gellon overflows at each every-other-week pickup.
More drop-off site for E-waste. No change on yard training.
More drop-offs for e-waste & household hazardous waste (Batteries, CFLS, etc.).
More electronic waste (ex. Batteries) drop-off sites.
More info & options on how to dispose of odd things I.E. Paint, Batteries.
More recycling.
Our bin gets too full and not everyone uses it properly.
Attachment 3
November 29, 2011
Work Session
Appendix VI
Page 9
Prepared by National Research Center, Inc.
Pick up once a week instead of every other week.
Plastic bag recycling needs to increase & be easier to access & do recycling pickups
should be more frequent in "non-home" areas (i.e. apartments, condos).
Recycling seems limited and not well known, provide better labels for what is
recyclable & build more infrastructures to support additional types of recycling.
See that everybody has access to a recycling system.
Some areas in Fort Collins don't supply recycle bins to use.
The number of trucks that come down the street.
The public parks & Downtown should have recycling bins attached to or next to
(important that they are next to each other) the trash.
There could be more recycling bins in public areas / the biggest problem in this town
is traffic congestion and noise from traffic.
They cut down recycling pick up to every other week instead of weekly. So it gets too
full.
We as a sustainable city need! need! Recycle cans/bins in the old town area. I'm always
looking but they are not there.
We fill our recycling every two weeks - if it was provided every week we would recycle
almost everything.
We need more "drop off" dates for hazardous waste so people will use it - many won't
drive to landfill.
We would like to see weekly recycling return & the opportunity to recycle electronics &
yard waste at least.
Weekend hours for hazardous waste drop extended more electronic recycle resources.
Would like weekly pickup.
Comments related to multi-family dwellings
Awareness of recycling locations for those of us in apt. Complexes with no recycling.
Condo recycling by contractor.
Don't have enough room in the can provided at my S-apartment building.
Feel strongly about recycling not being available in condo/apartment units. It should
be available.
HOAs and condo associations should be required to offer recycling services.
I would like a recycling bin at our complex.
If you use a dumpster at a residence, GSI won't pick up recycling.
Many apartment complexes & do not have recycling bins - OR - the bins provided are
too few or in a very poor location.
Many apt complexes do not make recycling available to tenants.
More bias at my apartment complex (New Colony).
Multi-family apartments should be required to offer recycling.
My condo only provides for newspaper recycling, but everyone puts their cardboard in
there anyway. I would like it included.
Attachment 3
November 29, 2011
Work Session
Appendix VI
Page 10
Prepared by National Research Center, Inc.
My Prop. Management does not provide recycling. It is frustrating!
Recycle bins at apts. get filled quickly; it would be nice if more bins were provided.
There is no recycling option at my apartment complex, a separate GM for recycling
would most likely increase expending here.
General (uncategorized) comments
Container too small - need more frequent pick up.
Don't know.
Eliminate vehicle listing cost exclude benefits.
Fort Collins is great @ recycling!
I think that people & Business should have the requirement to recycle, but some
people can’t afford it, they should be able to get assistance for the program.
Investing in a local recycling plant would cut down on recycle transport costs & provide
community jobs.
I've only lived in Ft. Collins since Sept. 2010 - Thus, I am less knowledgeable than
many residents!
Just moved here from Dallas, TX and compared to there, Y'all's recycling program is
outstanding!
Periodic info re recycling included in utility bills.
Recycling bins are constantly stolen by drunken college students, but not much can be
done about this.
Recycling mandates similar to the SF Bay area world be great.
So far, the current recycling system is working great.
The recycle Karts - Totters are too big we like the smaller 18 gal baskets better.
Trees in alleys need to be pruned regularly - city worst at it!
We are satisfied.
You can't make businesses & families; recycle - We need to continue to educate people
through schools & possibly when applying for small business.
Comments expressing disagreement
City has no business telling/forcing people to recycle.
I do not like government intervention in every aspect of our lives.
I don't believe it should cost extra $ and I don't support taxpayer subsidies on this
program. If it works economically it must stand on its own.
Keep it voluntary and keep Government out of my business and my home!! This survey
is very slanted!
Roads & efficient stop lights are much more important to me than this. Personal efforts
are important, but government should not spend trying to stop charges in climate. It's
a futile waste of money!
Page 1 of 2
Attachment 4
November 29, 2011
Work Session
The I Recycle Campaign consists of individual recycling
stories. Three editions have been produced thus far.
Each edition is made into advertisements published in
the Coloradoan and posters which are displayed
throughout town. Readers are encouraged to share
their own recycling stories on the City’s Facebook page.
Recycling Outreach Campaigns
Page 2 of 2
The Recycle Everywhere You Go
campaign outreach includes six
banners (example pictured at
left), each with a different shoe
image, that are hung on lamp
posts throughout town. A set of
three different stickers (pictured
below) are being distributed at
festivals and fairs, in Natural
Areas educational presentations,
and at other venues. The
website includes a map of City‐
serviced recycling bins in public
spaces as well as additional
recycling facts and information.
1
Waste Waste Reduction Reduction & & Recycling Recycling Update Update
City City Council Council Work Work Session Session
November November 29, 29, 2011 2011
Susie Gordon, Sr. Environmental Planner
221-6265
sgordon@fcgov.com
Caroline Mitchell, Environmental Planner
221-6288
cmitchell@fcgov.com
ATTACHMENT 5
2
Update Update includes: includes:
• Report on community-wide recycling rates for 2010
• Status of two consulting projects
– Integrated Recycling Facility
– Waste Stream Study
• New recycling opportunities; business & multi-family
• Education and outreach campaigns
ATTACHMENT 5
3
Report Report on on 2010 2010 Data Data
• 43% community-wide waste diversion rate
– up from 38% in 2009
– still below 1999 goal set for 50% waste diversion
• Lower trash volumes normal during economic downturns
• Recycling volumes have been steady for past 3 years
ATTACHMENT 5
4
Fort Collins Solid Waste Diversion
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
2008 2009 2010
Tons of Material
Recycled
materials
Waste
33%
Diversion
43%
Diversion
38%
Diversion
ATTACHMENT 5
5
2010-2010 -11 11 Situation Situation for for Recycling Recycling
• Commodity prices greatly improved since 2008 slump
• More curbside composting services available
• Larimer County Landfill installed in-ground scales
– weight-based trash data instead of cubic yards
• First year of data on use of recycling carts
– 55% of residential customers upgraded to carts
ATTACHMENT 5
6
18-galgal 65-gal95-
50
40
30
20
10
0
Container Size
Percent
18.4 %
36.5%
45.5 %
2009 Comparison of Recycling Container Sizes
ATTACHMENT 5
7
Per Per Capita Capita Rates Rates for for Trash Trash & & Recycling Recycling
• Data from 2010 show that in comparison with
average Coloradoans, citizens of Fort Collins:
– Recycle 59% more
– Generate 31% less trash
• By comparison, citizens in Oregon:
– Recycle 5% more
– Generate 27% less trash than Fort Collins
residents
ATTACHMENT 5
8
LandfillCompost Recycle &
OR FC CO OR FC CO
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Lbs per capita per day
7.16
4.94
3.59
1.85
3.09 2.94
2010 Waste Generation
Oregon, Fort Collins, & Colorado
ATTACHMENT 5
9
Special Special project: project: Integrated Integrated Recycling Recycling Facility Facility
• “IRF” report, due in December, will:
– Recommend which 3 new materials to consider
collecting at expanded City drop-off facility
– List several best locations for an expanded site
– Describe budget, resources needed
ATTACHMENT 5
10
Special Special project: project: Waste Waste Stream Stream Study Study
• Due in January, 2012, this report will analyze:
– What is sent to landfills from Fort Collins community
– How much of these discards could still be diverted to
recycling markets and other recovery systems
– Two of the most feasible energy-conversion systems to use
for additional diversion, e.g.,
• Composting or bio-digestion technology
• Energy manufacture using latest conversion technologies
ATTACHMENT 5
11
Programs Programs for for Multi-Multi -Family Family & & Business Business
• Financial incentives to start recycling and/or
composting service accounts
• Reward for referring other businesses or multi-family
complexes to start a program
• Free on-site recycling assessments and education
• Customized recycling-guidelines signage
• Public award program
ATTACHMENT 5
12
Public Public Education Education Campaign Campaign ##1 1
• “I Recycle” advertisements featuring actual residents
– Personal-statement approach conveys peer
support for recycling in Fort Collins
– Introduces several demographic and age groups
• Additional ads under development
– Extensively delivered through conventional ads
– Debuted on social media: “tell us your story” on
Twitter, Facebook
ATTACHMENT 5
13
Public Public Education Education Campaign Campaign ##2 2
• “Recycle Everywhere You Go” theme
– Fun style is a lighthearted reminder to recycle
– Provides suggestions on how to solve the away-
from-home-recycling dilemma
• On-line map of places to recycle in Fort Collins
– Featured in street banners and adhesive stickers
ATTACHMENT 5
14
Other Other activities activities in in the the community community that that are are
supported supported by by the the City City include: include:
– Rivendell Recycling Center
– On-line Leaf Exchange & Worm Exchange (for
vermiculture composting)
– Green Building Code requirements for
construction site recycling, effective 2012
– Household hazardous waste collections
– Prescription drug take-back events
– Electronic recycling collection events
– Christmas tree recycling
ATTACHMENT 5
15
Questions? Questions?
Input? Input?
ATTACHMENT 5