Rate Studies – Recycling Feasibility Study and Landfill Cost Analysis, Lawton, Oklahoma

lawton landfillThe city of Lawton was interested in expanding its recycling program without increasing the overall solid waste program costs. SCS Engineers was retained by Lawton to review the City’s current solid waste organizational structure and evaluate selected recycling scenarios (including the current system), and to make recommendations for appropriate revisions based on financial and public acceptance criteria.

In addition, SCS made recommendations for improvements, costs savings and revenue enhancements for collection, recycling and landfill management. SCS also analyzed the City’s capital and operating costs, using a pro-forma model to arrive at an all-inclusive tipping or gate fee.

The City’s goals were to:

  • Investigate reasonable alternatives and best practices in the collection, processing, disposal and public education of a small urban city solid waste system.
  • Assess current solid waste collection system.
  • Assess feasibility of enhancing current recycling programs, which are limited to citizen drop centers, in a city which is remote to commercial material recovery operations.
  • Assess the cost of landfill operations to determine if an increase in tip fee to non-city customers is warranted.

The scope of services included evaluation of various solid waste management program elements. Similar to other municipal solid waste programs, this City is interested in expanding its recycling program without increasing the overall solid waste program costs. SCS reviewed the City’s current solid waste organizational structure and evaluated selected recycling scenarios (including the current system) and made recommendations for revisions (as appropriate) based on financial and public acceptance criteria. In addition, SCS made recommendations for improvements, costs savings, and revenue enhancements for collection, recycling, and landfill management.

SCS also analyzed the City’s capital and operating costs using a Pro Forma Model to arrive at an all-inclusive tipping or gate fee. Cost components considered in our analysis include the following:

  • Equipment
  • Labor costs
  • Operating costs (fuel, oil, equipment maintenance)
  • Capital costs and related depreciation schedules
  • Accruals for landfill C/PC
  • Financial assurance mechanism for C/PC
  • Remaining permitted airspace
  • Remaining constructed airspace

Key Aspects of the SCS services provided include:

  • Landfill disposal evaluation
  • Recycling evaluation
  • Collection evaluation
  • Economic analysis
  • Management review
  • Pro forma modeling
  • Capital projections
  • Presentation to city staff