The Pay-As-You-Throw Solution – Increasing Local Recovery of Materials and Recycling Rates

The Pay-As-You-Throw Solution – Increasing Local Recovery of Materials and

Recycling Rates

Carolina Recycling AssociationApril 10, 2013

Copyright © 2013 WasteZero2

Introduction

We’re all here this week to talk about how to increase recycling rates.

My goal with this talk is to show you how there is no better way to do that quickly and effectively than Pay As You Throw (PAYT).

PAYT encourages behavioral changes that drive numerous valuable outcomes, including in the following areas:

— Increased municipal recycling

— Diversion of recyclable material from the waste stream

— Capture of challenging recyclables

— Better, more innovative packaging choices

PAYT works in communities of all sizes and with all sorts of residences.


WasteZero – A Bit About Us

WasteZero partners with municipalities to deliver the most effective waste reduction and recycling programs in the United States.

— Specialized trash bags to support waste reduction and recycling in ~800 towns and cities• Recycling bags for large cities and multi-family dwellings• Municipal garbage bags• Special event and benefit cleanup bags

— Fully integrated Pay As You Throw programs in 53 towns and cities:• 46% solid waste reduction• 98% customer retention

Offices in Raleigh, NC; Murrells Inlet, SC; Cambridge, MA; and Chicago, IL


PAYT—What’s the Point?

Regardless of how much trash they generate

= $$$

= $$$Or a little…

= $$$

TRADITIONAL TRASH COLLECTION

PAY-AS-YOU-THROW

Or how little…

Residents pay one fixed fee for disposal.

(An “all you can eat” approach)

They only pay for the amount of trash they throw away.

(A variable rate, equitable approach)

If residents generate a lot of trash

= $$$


PAYT—How It Works

Program launches

1STEPHouseholds pay only for what they throw away; trash is metered in a number of ways: 2STEP

Treating trash services just like electricity, gas, and other utilities creates a direct economic incentive to recycle more and to generate less waste.

The less individuals throw away, the less they pay.


PAYT—Win Win

Easy to understand

Convenient and user-friendly

Fair, maintaining the proper incentives

Continuous positive behavior reinforcement

Effective communication materials and support tools

Happy Residents

Strong resident satisfaction

Quick implementation

Minimal or no capital expenditure

Immediate and long-term waste reduction

Minimal staffing requirements

Long-term financial viability

Support for community’s environmental objectives

Happy Municipal Officials

=


The Pay As You Throw Solution

WasteZero Trash Metering™ doubles or triplesrecycling rates in our partner communities.

With full service bag-based PAYT


Increased Recycling

Increase in Recycling (Tons)

Decrease in MSW (Tons)

Dartmouth MA 50% 57%Tiverton RI 100% 50%Malden MA 74% 49%S. Berwick ME 47% 44%Duxbury MA 20% 43%Decatur GA 79% 42%Grafton MA 98% 41%Ashland MA 98% 35%Sandwich MA 74% 42%

Once PAYT programs are in place, increases in recycling are immediate—and long term.


Local Benefits

Statewide implementation of Pay As You Throw in the Carolinas would have dramatic benefits for the recycling economy.

Additional Recycling Captured

NewJobs

North Carolina South Carolina

616,000Tons per Year

16,000+

350,000Tons per Year

10,000+


PAYT Programs in the South

Rural

— Alamance County, NC

— Coweta County, GA

— Craven County, NC

— Elbert County, GA

— Oconee County, GA

— Oglethorpe County, GA

— Onslow County, NC

— Rowan County, NC

— Transylvania County, NC

— Union County, NC

Urban

— Austell, GA

— Charlottesville, VA

— Decatur, GA

— Gainesville, FL

— Lynchburg, VA

— Plantation, FL

— Poquoson, VA

— Tulsa, OK


PAYT Programs in the South—Rural


PAYT Programs in the South—Rural (Cont.)


PAYT Programs in the South—Curbside


PAYT Programs in the South—Curbside (Cont.)


Real-Life Success StoriesDecatur, GA (population ~19,335)

BACKGROUNDWhile the City of Decatur already offered a recycling program, to meet state requirements to reduce landfill deposits, in 1997 it recognized a need to step up its waste management efforts.

The city rolled out its new PAYT system to residents in 1998.— Mail and outreach – Public hearings and neighborhood meetings— Local media – Three sizes and colors of WasteZero customized plastic trash bags

Residents citywide purchase WasteZero Trash Metering™ trash bags in grocery stores, hardware stores, and municipal offices.

As a result, the city saves more than $150,000 annually and applies that savings to fund local recycling events, raise awareness, and increase recycling rates even further.

*Equals recycling/(solid waste + recycling)

DECATUR RESULTS WITH WASTEZERO: 1998 TO PRESENT– 42% reduction in solid waste– 79% increase in amount of recycling tonnage– 33% increase in compost– 100% increase in recycling rate* (from 10.7 to 22%)– More than $150,000 saved in disposal costs in their first year and each year since


Thank You!

Les EvansVice President, Municipal Partnerships

Email: [email protected]: 919 322 1221

The Pay-As-You-Throw Solution – Increasing Local Recovery of Materials and Recycling Rates

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