Recycling and Resource Conservation Advisory Board
Minutes from September 14, 2005
Present: Shannon Criss, Dickie Heckler, Chris Cobb, John Craft, Kevin Dobbs, Marie Stockett, Laura Routh
Staff: Michelle Crank
Guest: Zack Beasley, KU Journalism Student
Home Energy Conservation Fair (HECF) Update
Michelle reports that two $500 level sponsors were secured this year, and overall, there were more calls and sponsors for the Home Energy Conservation Fair (HECF). Michelle distributes a list of the vendors/booth occupants for this year’s fair. Dickie Heckler reports that Great Harvest is very excited about providing food. It is suggested that the new sustainable restaurant, Local Burger, be approached to see if they’d like to vend. Michelle noted that Mollie had believed it not a good use of staff or Board member’s time to be providing food services during the HECF.
Michelle asks Board members to commit to distributing posters. Laura Routh will do the 23rd street corridor; Shannon will hit KU; Dickie Heckler can hit the grocery stores while delivering for Central Soy. Michelle will do City offices. Laura Routh agrees to post announcements on www.Larryville.com – Community Forum. Michelle reports that Tour book has gone to print. Laura Routh and Shannon Criss agree to be tour guides. It is suggested that we should do outreach to Lawrence Home Builders Association and local realtors. Q. Can the energy subcommittee address this?
Recycling Subcommittee Report:
Marie Stockett provided the RRCAB with copies of the recycling subcommittee minutes from September. A discussion of recycling options ensues, addressing some of the ideas brainstormed by the subcommittee: John Craft notes that currently, the system in place actually provides a disincentive to recycle because the cost of trash disposal is the same, regardless. John notes that we are actually subsidizing folks who DON’T recycle: if you recycle, you are actually paying more for disposing of less trash. Laura Routh notes that in prior discussions about rebates, staff said that the administrative costs of enacting such rebates did not warrant a nominal return to recyclers. Chris Cobb notes that there ought to be some benefit to those that recycle.
John Craft notes that he is concerned about the RRCAB pushing curbside as a viable option in light of rising fuel costs. Maybe we need to think outside of the box completely and question our collection methods altogether. It is not fuel efficient to have people driving their recycling to a center across town, and it may not be reasonable, in terms of fuel consumption, to have a recycling system that depends on curbside collection.
Kevin Dobbs notes that he feels there is an intangible benefit to a curbside program, in that it allows people to take immediate action and is outcome oriented, and makes recycling an integrated action in people’s daily lives.
Chris Cobb notes that in Germany, there are fines associated with recyclables being thrown in the trash. We need to change our assumptions fundamentally.
Laura Routh distributes copies of an ordinance used in Vermont. In that County, recycling was mandatory. She notes that tips fees there were much higher for trash. She notes that the part of the ordinance she’d like to see RRCAB consider is that which would license both recycling haulers and privately-run recycling centers, to ensure an even playing field and that all materials collected are managed responsibly:
http://www.acswmd.org/wmordinance.html
John Craft suggests that next year, there be a tour of the landfill as part of the HECF/homes tour, so that people can see what a landfill looks like.
Additional discussion of alternatives to curbside.
Laura Routh suggests requiring new developments to provide community recycling centers for their area residents. That way, recycling would be centralized by neighborhood and folks would not have to drive all the way across town to recycle—it might address the fuel concerns. The centers could be run by the City. Someone comments that grocery stores and gas stations could also be drop-off points since folks are there, anyway. Laura Routh feels that any drop off site needs to be comprehensive, i.e. not like it is now, where you have to drive all over town to get rid of things. Centers should have one stop shopping and take all materials.
Michelle reports that Wal-Mart has just informed the City that the recycling center will not re-open until late October. Laura Routh expresses frustration at the delay, and frustration at the City’s reliance on a private sector vendor, and apparent refusal on the part of the City solid waste department to publicly discuss alternatives to the status quo.
The next recycling subcommittee will occur at Panera’s Wednesday, September 21, 2005, at 5:30 PM.
E-waste Memo:
A draft is presented to the RRCAB. Chris Cobb comments that it may not be what we need. It will be forwarded on to Mollie Mangerich for review. Deadline is September 28th, for RRCAB members wishing changes in the draft.
Michelle provides the group with updates on Staff activities and an HHW report. Meeting adjourned at 6:05 PM.
Submitted by Laura
Routh, RRCAB Recording
Secretary
Attachment A. 2005 Home Energy Conservation Fair and Sustainable Homes Tour - Sponsors and Exhibits
Home Energy Conservation Fair & Sustainable Homes Tour
Sunday October 9, 2005
Premier level:
Cottin’s Hardware & Rental
Hughes Consulting Engineering
Other Sponsors:
Aquila
BPH Productions (“Build Outside the Box”)
Ecological Architecture
Kaw Valley Home Care
Ramsey Environmental Group
Scott Temperature
Sierra Club, Wakarusa Chapter
SIPsmart Building Systems
Steve Lane, Architect
University of Kansas Environmental Studies Program
Other Exhibitors:
Ad Astra Student Cooperative
American Red Cross-Katrina Relief Fund
Delaware St. Commons
The Energy Savings Store
Ground Source, Inc.
Heartland Renewable Energy Society
Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE)
Lawrence Cohousing Group, LC
Lawrence Freenet
Lawrence Habitat for Humanity
Lawrence Public Library
Paradigm Design
Tech Power Systems
Tenants to Homeowners
Auto Exhibitors:
City of Lawrence Maintenance Garage
KSU Solar Car Racing Team
Mid America Electric Auto Association
Kansas Soybean Commission
Reid Nelson (Electric Transport Vehicle)
Food:
Girl Scout Bake Sale
American Red Cross- Katrina Relief Fund
Z’s Coffee
Great Harvest
Douglas County Sustainable Homes Tour
Buses depart Fairgrounds @ 2:00 PM
Tour Guide(s): Laura Routh, Shannon Criss
McCoy House 25449 Chieftain Rd.
Garrette House, 305 Lincoln
Almon House, 1311 Prairie
Ad Astra House, 1033 Kentucky
Drive By: American Equipment (north of town)
Attachment B. ADDISON COUNTY SOLID
WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
WASTE MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE
Entire document found at: http://www.acswmd.org/wmordinance.html
Excerpt from document regarding RESPONSIBILITIES OF HAULERS (pp. 7-11).
ARTICLE IV
RESPONSIBILITIES OF HAULERS
4.1 License Requirement. Except as provided in Section 4.2. of this Ordinance, no Hauler shall collect, transport, or deliver Solid Waste generated within the District unless such Hauler holds a valid License from the District, issued as provided in this Article.
4.2 Exemptions. The following Persons are exempt from the licensing requirements of Section 4.1:
A. The District, and any member municipality of the District, in the transporting and delivery of Solid Waste generated in its municipal operations, utilizing its own vehicles.
B. A Person in the transporting and delivering of his, her, or its own Solid Waste or in the collection, transporting, and delivery of Solid Wastes of other Persons so long as any such collecting, transporting, and delivering is performed for no compensation.
4.3 RESERVED -
4.4 License Application. Any Hauler, other than a Hauler exempt under Section 4.2, who desires to collect, transport, or deliver Solid Waste generated within the District shall apply to the District for a License on such form, containing such information, as the District Manager shall designate. Such application shall be accompanied by the fee established pursuant to Section 4.6 hereof.
4.5 Expiration of License, Renewal. Each License shall expire on the June 1st next following its date of issuance, provided however that in the event an application is made for renewal prior to the expiration date of a License, such License shall remain in force until such time as the District Manager issues a final decision on the renewal application, but subject to Section 4.11 below. Any renewal application shall comply with the application requirements in this Article and be accompanied by the fee as prescribed in Section 4.6. A License shall not be assignable or transferrable, and upon any assignment or transfer, the License shall automatically expire and become null and void.
4.6 Licensing Fee. For the purpose of administering the provisions of this Ordinance and the licensing program established herein, the Board of Supervisors may impose an annual Licensing Fee as a condition to issuance and renewal of a License. The amount of the licensing fee shall be established, and may be modified from time to time.
4.7 Administration of Licensing Program. The District Manager shall administer the licensing program established by this Ordinance. Any Hauler aggrieved by any decision of the District Manager may appeal to the Board of Supervisors, which may hear the appeal, or may designate a Committee thereof to hear the appeal. Upon notice and hearing, the Board, or such Committee, may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision of the District Manager. Except as provided in Section 4.11, any such appeal shall not stay the District Manager's decision, and shall be filed with the District Manager within thirty (30) days of mailing of the decision to the Licensee, registered or certified mail, addressed to the Licensee at the address shown on the License, or to such other address as the Licensee may designate in writing mailed to the District by the aforementioned method, and if not so filed, the decision of the District Manager shall be final and binding on such Licensee.
4.8 Standards for Issuance of License. In order to obtain, reinstate, or renew a License, a Hauler shall:
A. properly complete and file all necessary application forms and the materials described in subsections (C)-(F) below;
B. pay the License fees established under Section 4.6;
C. identify by make, model, state registration number, unloaded weight (supported by the weigh slip of a truck scale approved by the District Manager), and capacity each vehicle the Hauler proposes to use to collect and transport Solid Waste, and demonstrate that each vehicle identified will not leak or spill Waste, and will not create a nuisance with respect to noise, odor, or litter; all such qualifying vehicles shall be noted on the License. If the Hauler proposes to use any additional vehicles not identified at the time of application, the Hauler shall identify the vehicle and make the demonstration required by subsections (C) and (D), and any such qualified vehicle shall be additionally noted on the License.
D. demonstrate that liability insurance is in force for each vehicle to be noted on the License in amounts as may be required in procedures established by the Board of Supervisors, by a Certificate of Insurance providing that such insurance shall not be cancelled, nor reduced in coverage, without at least 10 days prior written notice to the District.
E. file a Tiered Schedule, except as may be exempted under Section 4.10.G.
F. identify each scale operator and the location of each scale the applicant will use in order to comply with Section 4.10(C) below, and file the written authorization of any such operator other than the District, in a form satisfactory with the District Manager, so that the District, its agents, employees, and independent contractors, may inspect such operator's records regarding the weight of the applicant's vehicles. Each scale operator and the location of each scale shall be noted on the License. If the Hauler proposes to use any additional scale not noted on the License, the Hauler shall identify the scale operator and the location of such scale and furnish a similar authorization as to the additional scale operator. Any such scale and scale operator shall be additionally noted on the License. Any scale identified by the applicant shall be approved by the District Manager prior to the issuance of the License.
G. pay any past due amounts owed to the District.
H. demonstrate the ability to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance and, in situations where a Hauler's License has been suspended or revoked pursuant to Section 4.11, demonstrate that corrective actions have been taken, as necessary, to ensure that the Hauler will comply with this Ordinance. In situations where past payments to the District have been late or where the District Manager has reason to believe that the District may be at risk for late payment or non-payment of Tipping Fees or District Fees, the District Manager may require that the demonstrations required by this subsection include the provision of a letter of credit or other security in amounts and on terms necessary to assure proper payment.
4.9 Terms, Restrictions, and Conditions of Licenses. The District Manager may attach to any License such reasonable terms, restrictions, and conditions as are necessary to assure that Solid Waste is separated, collected, transported, recycled, and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner, and to assure compliance with this Ordinance.
4.10 Responsibilities of Licensees and Other Haulers Who are not Licensees.
A. A Licensee shall not use any vehicle not noted on the License for the collection, transportation, or delivery of Solid Waste generated within the District, nor shall any such vehicle be used for such purposes during any period of time when the insurance required by Section 4.8(D) is not in force, nor shall any Licensee use a scale in order to weigh vehicles as required by subsection (C) below unless such scale is noted on the License and the authorization required by subsection 4.8(F) is in effect.
B. Each Licensee shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the License and the requirements of this Ordinance. Each Hauler who is not a Licensee shall comply with all the terms and conditions of this Ordinance applicable to Haulers who are not Licensees.
C. Each Licensee, and each Hauler who is not a Licensee, shall cause each vehicle transporting a load of Solid Waste generated within the District to be weighed either through the use of District owned or operated truck scales or another truck scale approved by the District Manager. In cases where a Licensee uses scales owned or operated by the District, the District will be responsible for producing and maintaining weight information of such loads. In cases where a Licensee uses non-District owned or operated scales that have been approved by the District Manager, the Licensee shall:
(1) Obtain a weigh slip from the scale operator, showing the date of weighing, and the vehicle's loaded and unloaded (gross and tare) weights.
(2) Note on each such weigh slip whether the vehicle weighed contained Recyclables or other materials destined for reuse or recycling, or other Solid Waste, using such distinguishing abbreviations as the District Manager may prescribe;
(3) File with the District, by the seventh (7th) day of each month, all weigh slips required to be obtained under subsection (C)(1) for vehicles weighed during the calendar month just ended, with the notations required by subsection C(2) above, and the Licensee's or other Hauler's name and address;
(4) By the seventh (7th) day of each month, file with the District: (a) a summary, on such form as the District Manager may prescribe, showing, for the month just ended, the total Solid Waste collected, total recyclables and other materials destined for reuse or recycling collected, and the total Solid Waste collected after subtracting recyclables and materials destined for reuse or recycling, and (b) such other information, on forms to be provided by the District, as the District Manager may prescribe.
(5) Furnish the District Manager, within 10 business days of the District Manager's written request, such documentation as the District Manager may require to verify or substantiate the information required under C(1)-(4) above, or to otherwise determine the amount of Solid Waste collected during a calendar month or its components.
D. Each Licensee, and each Hauler who is not a Licensee, shall keep and maintain such records within the State of Vermont as will enable the District to determine compliance with this Ordinance, including but not limited to records on a daily basis of the amount of Solid Waste generated within the District that is collected and/or transported by such Person for purposes of disposal; separate records shall be kept showing on a daily basis, total Solid Waste collected and/or transported, the amount of such waste consisting of Recyclables and other materials destined for reuse or recycling, and the amount of Solid Waste after subtracting Recyclables and other materials destined for recycling; such records shall include on a daily basis the gross and tare weight information for each vehicle collecting and/or transporting loads of Solid Waste required to be weighed under subsection (C) above. All such records shall be made available to the District, and its agents, for inspection and copying, during normal business hours of the District. The records for each day of operation shall be retained for at least 3 years.
E. Each Licensee shall offer, either independently or through subcontract with another Licensed Hauler, Designated Area collection of Recyclables to all the Licensee's customers in the District, except that such service need not be offered to a Resident in a member municipality of the District which has arranged for Designated Area Recyclables collection services for its Residents.
F. Licensees shall not require their customers to sort Recyclables, (except in situations where more than a 15 gallon container per week of one or more Recyclables are generated), into more than two groups, one group of fibers (including but not limited to white paper, newspaper, cardboard, and magazines) and a second group of containers (including but not limited to glass, plastic, and metal containers).
G. Except as provided herein, each Licensee shall offer Tiered Schedules to all the Licensee's customers within the District, mail notice of such Tiered Schedule options to all customers at least once per year, and show in all customer billings fees for collection and handling of Recyclables separately from fees for other Solid Wastes. Each Licensee's Tiered Schedule shall be filed with the District with the Licensee's annual License application, and shall otherwise be available to the District upon request. A Licensee is not required to comply with this subsection for any particular component of Solid Waste in situations where a member municipality of the District has arranged for Designated Area collection services of such particular Solid Waste for its Residents.
H. Each Licensee shall gather and submit, if requested by the District, information documenting as to Solid Waste generated within the District:
i. participation rates (the percentage of customers Recycling in a set time period) for any route, not more than once/year, according to a methodology approved by the District Manager; and
ii. capture rates (the percentage of Recyclables found in garbage, by weight or by volume, as determined by sorts of customers' Solid Wastes) on any route according to a methodology approved by the District Manager, not more than once per year unless the District Manager has determined, through visual inspections, that one or more of the Licensee's loads of Solid Waste contain five (5) percent or more (by volume) of Recyclables.
I. Each Licensee, and each Hauler who is not a Licensee, shall prepare and furnish to the District when arriving at the District Transfer Station, an itinerary, upon a form approved by the District Manager, that shows the total quantity of Solid Waste collected within each municipality served by the Hauler's vehicle.
J. No Licensee, and no Hauler who is not a Licensee, shall (i) knowingly collect or transport for disposal Solid Waste which has not been separated as required by Article III of this Ordinance, or (ii) co-mingle any such Solid Waste previously separated in the collection or transportation thereof. Any non-separated Solid Waste shall be rejected by the Hauler, who shall notify the Person generating such Solid Waste of the reasons for rejection. Any rejected Solid Waste shall remain the responsibility of the generating Person for delivery to a Facility authorized to receive it. However, at such time as the non-separated Solid Waste is collected by a Hauler, the Solid Waste becomes the concurrent, joint, and several responsibility of the generating person and the Hauler who collected the Solid Waste to deliver it to a Facility authorized to receive it. This provision shall not be construed as authorizing the collection or transportation of non-separated Solid Waste.
K. No Licensee, and no Hauler who is not a Licensee, shall knowingly collect or transport for disposal any Solid Waste that has been co-mingled with any Hazardous Waste, Non-Regulated Hazardous Waste, or Recycled Hazardous Waste.
L. Any Solid Waste co-mingled with Hazardous Waste, Non-Regulated Hazardous Waste, or Recycled Hazardous Waste shall be rejected by the Hauler, who shall notify the Person generating such Wastes of the reasons for rejection. Any Wastes so rejected shall remain the responsibility of the generating Person for delivery to a Facility authorized to receive it. However, at such time as any Solid Waste co-mingled with Hazardous Waste, Non-Regulated Hazardous Waste, or Recycled Hazardous Waste is collected by a Hauler, the Waste becomes the concurrent, joint, and several responsibility of the generating person and the Hauler who collected the Waste, regardless of whether knowingly or unknowingly, to deliver it to a Facility authorized to receive it and to pay all charges and fees associated with the proper handling and disposal of such Waste. This provision shall not be construed as authorizing the collection or transportation of Solid Waste mixed with Hazardous Waste.
4.11 Suspension and Revocation. The District Manager may suspend or revoke a License for any violation of this Ordinance or repeated failure to pay one or more District billings rendered pursuant to Section 6.6 by their due dates. Any such suspension or revocation may be appealed to the Board of Supervisors, which may hear the appeal, or may designate a Committee thereof to hear the appeal. Upon notice and hearing, the Board, or such Committee, may affirm, reverse, or modify the District Manager's decision. Any such appeal shall be filed with the District Manager within thirty (30) days of mailing of notice of suspension or revocation to the Licensee, addressed to the Licensee at the address shown on the License, or to such other address as the Licensee may designate in writing mailed to the District by the aforementioned method, and if not so filed, the decision of the District Manager to suspend or revoke shall be final and binding on such Licensee. In the event of an appeal, such suspension or revocation shall not be effective until final decision by the Board, or such Committee.
Recycling Subcommittee Meeting Minutes for August 17th, 2005
The meeting was a brainstorm of ways we can improve recycling and move the discussion of curbside along…
1. We reviewed possible project ideas generated from the last recycling meeting including:
A. Design and conduct public outreach activities such as a recycling survey at drop-off locations
B. Ask Mollie to send out press releases letting the public know about the Recycling Subcommittee
C. Work with staff to create a user-friendly representation of the city’s Recycling Rate, i.e. represent in pie chart fashion the % of each estimated amount of material/category in the waste stream, and its estimated recycling rate
D. Research and draft a comprehensive report about options for improving the Recycilng Rate, including options and estimated costs for the implementation the curbside. This report would look at all possible options regarding recycling, including:
i. Expanding the number of recycling centers
ii. Transporting recyclables to other city MRFs
iii. Investigating ordinances related to curbside recycling
iv. Contract curbside recycling out to a recycling business or businesses
E. Plan and host a series of community-focused meetings to establish an ongoing dialogue between the city and the community regarding curbside recycling
i. Citizen Focus Groups
ii. Stakeholder Groups (Wal-Mart, CLO, businesses hosting boxes, large quantity generators of recycling)
F. Host a series of Public Forums (Speak Outs) when ideas regarding recycling have been formulated
2. Ideas generated from this meeting
A. Explore how to do more to promote current curbside recyclers in Lawrence
B. Make requirements that new businesses and housing developments must provide recycling drop-off points for the community
C. Work to be done outside meeting
i. Search and draft a model ordinance to officially create standards for recyclers/curbside service providers
ii. Ask Molly for information about the evaluation process currently used for curbside recyclers
iii. Meet with recycling staff in Kansas City—invite them to a subcommittee meeting or go to them (Laura will pursue this)
iv. Research recyling in Manhattan, Kansas (Dickie did this research)
v. Research recycling in Columbia, Missouri (Marie will research this)
3. Next Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 21st, 2005 at Panera at 5:30pm
Recycling Subcommittee Meeting Minutes
September 21st, 2005
i. Preference should be given to local haulers who could be given the chance to bid on portions of the city by neighborhood
ii. If needed, then larger companies like Deffenbaugh could bid on rest of the city
i. Companies agree to not burn, bury, or stockpile material
ii. Companies be properly insured and permitted by state as required
iii. Companies agree to give adequate notice to the city before shutting down