by Tracie Onstad Bills, Northern California Director, Sustainable Materials Management at SCS Engineers
For many years source separation was the primary method for recycling. However, technology has changed how recyclables are collected and processed. China, the largest importer of materials for recycling now strictly enforces regulations on importing contaminated materials for recycling into the country. China’s Operation Green Fence puts restrictions on what material China will accept, rejecting materials that don’t meet higher standards of cleanliness; that means rejected materials get buried in a landfill instead of being recycled.
Regardless of the type of recycling program, the biggest challenge here at home is now minimizing contaminated recycling material. Communities are struggling to meet diversion goals and provide materials to local recyclers that are free of common contaminants such as liquids left in containers or motor oil. My SCS team has assisted communities in the last few years to address contamination issues and I’d like to share what works best to kick start addressing the issue at home.
Recycling Assessments: Conduct a visual and physical characterization study to identify contamination levels using one of these two methods for the evaluation:
Recycling Technical Assistance: Meet with local businesses and perform a walk-through of their facility to collect baseline waste assessment and material collection infrastructure information. This information can then be used to provide customized recycling and composting recommendations, and implementation support such as employee training sessions, providing signage and collateral, referrals, and multi-lingual outreach services.
Review and Analysis of Community Recycling Programs: Review and analyze your recycling program. An environmental engineer can provide recommendations and assessments on how a recycling program can be enhanced to reduce the quantity of contaminated materials. Services typically include everything from examining outreach materials to the flow of the recycling from generation to transport to processing.
Planning and Implementation of Behavior Change Programs: There is value in providing comprehensive programs and explicit outreach materials for increasing the probability of cleaner recycling. Behavior change programs focus on planning and implementing programs that identify key triggers to encourage action in the community. These programs help communicate the importance and value of specific activities to the community and cross any age and cultural barriers.
Contamination is a global problem and is challenging, but there are steps to minimize the problem in your community.
About Tracie Onstad Bills
Tracie Onstad Bills has been in the Environmental and Resource Material Management Field for over 20 years. Her expertise revolves around commercial recycling technical assistance, environmental purchasing, large venue and event zero waste programs, research and sustainability planning, garbage hauler franchise compliance and review, construction and demolition program / ordinance analysis and writing, climate inventory compilation, research and feasibility studies to help clients with comprehensive waste prevention and zero waste programs. Ms. Bills has a BA in Environmental Science from San Jose State University, is a CRRA Board member and belongs to the SWANA Gold Rush Chapter, National Recycling Coalition and the Northern California Recycling Association. Contact Tracie here.
Learn more on the SCS service pages and read SCS project case studies from across the nation to help fine tune your program:
An SCS pro forma model for waste management gives you the much-needed ability to analyze how different elements of a business plan will impact your cash flows and value. Subsequently, using individual forecasts and operations data, you can analyze when in the future you might need financing allowing you the time to plan to acquire sufficient resources, permits, and equipment. Read the Merced County case study here to learn more.
SCS Engineers assisted the Merced County, California, Regional Waste Management Authority (RWA) in developing a Pro Forma Model that encompasses projected operational costs and revenues to help decision-makers develop timely cash flow forecasts. The RWA now has a useful tool for annual budgeting and developing long-term capital policies.
After several years of revenue declines for numerous reasons, including the recession, a change in management in 2012 ordered a re-assessment of RWA’s operational and administrative functions. Throughout the year-long process, a new Regional Waste Director was selected to implement a progressive strategy that would realize operational efficiencies, cost savings, an expanded customer base, and lower long-term debt through bond refinancing. These measures provided considerable benefit, particularly in regards to the long-term financial health of the agency; however, it was not clear if cash could be generated quickly enough to meet the existing need. As a result, the agency hired a rate consultant in April 2015 to assess the anticipated shortfall and prepare a report to the RWA’s governing board.
The RWA owns and operates two disposal and recycling facilities, each located near the population centers of Merced County. Both landfills need expansions to increase disposal capacity in the coming years. SCS Engineers developed a Pro Forma Model to help the RWA prepare a long-term cash flow analysis and assess whether or not funds were available from operations to forestall a bond issue for the capital improvements as well as to fund adequate emergency reserves. At the beginning of SCS’s engagement, RWA staff provided background data and information concerning residential collection revenues and operating expenses.
The Pro Forma Model estimated annual net revenues during the 12-year planning horizon; determined that the current debt service is a major drain until the bonds mature in FY 2026/27; calculated that funds for projected capital improvements, fleet replacement, and a new “Rainy Day Fund” can be realized even if the RWA receives low waste deliveries to the landfill; and projected cash reserves. The model recommended that the RWA consider funding a landfill gas to energy project out of cash reserves rather than bond proceeds and projected annual revenues from methane sales.
The RWA adopted the findings of the proposed pro forma model in October 2015. Conducting the pro forma modeling effort enabled the RWA’s decision-makers to project costs of the various capital, fleet, and waste flow options. Key among the lessons learned was the implementation of a “Rainy Day Fund” to provide a long-term financial backstop for unforeseen events in landfill operations that cannot be predicted today. Such events could include groundwater and landfill gas remediation, issues with landfill liners, and weather events. The fund is capped at 25 percent of the RWA’s annual operating costs, which can also provide three to four months of operating expenses. While typical of many large County or municipal General Funds, it is less typical of individual enterprise funds in the past. Such Rainy Day Funds are becoming more and more prominent across solid waste agencies in the United States.
Lastly, the RWA now has a financial tool that can be updated annually and will continue to project future revenues and capital expenditures and ultimately forecast rate needs more accurately.
Marc Rogoff, Ph.D., is a Project Director for SCS Engineers’ and our National Expert on Solid Waste Rate Studies. Marc has over 30 years of experience in solid waste management as a public agency manager and consultant and has managed more than 200 consulting assignments across the United States on all facets of solid waste management. He has written and co-authored many articles, including the following:
Conducting Solid Waste Rate Studies and Business Plans
Trends in Solid Waste Collection
Click here for more information about SCS Engineers Solid Waste Services
The Solid Waste Association of North America – SWANA, is the largest member-based solid waste management association in the world.
SCS Engineers proudly announces Nathan Hamm, P.E., is the recently elected President of the Kansas Sunflower SWANA chapter. Members of the chapter voted to elect Hamm to continue the leadership of John Hawk, the former chapter President and the General Manager of the McPherson Area Solid Waste Utility. Hamm’s term began on October 22, 2015, and will run for two years.
Nathan Hamm is a registered professional engineer in Kansas and five surrounding states with nearly two decades of experience in the field of environmental engineering. He is a Vice President at SCS and currently serves as the Overland Park –Kansas City Office Manager. As Office Manager, he is responsible for managing the technical and support personnel and the office’s financial performance and business development efforts. He also manages complex projects, maintains client relationships, and provides technical guidance.
“An environmental solution mandates innovative thinking and broad resources, “stated Hamm. “ Our Kansas SWANA chapter provides these and stays true to our principles; that’s how we remain effective and helpful to our members.”
Hamm’s career has concentrated on environmental solutions in solid waste management, alternative energy, power generation, and in agricultural production industries. He is a skilled leader developing and managing multi-disciplinary teams to achieve critical objectives.
Congratulations Nathan!
Stay informed. Explore a variety of topics and expand your knowledge of what’s happening in solid waste management. Today’s SCS blog covers Safety, Privatization, Anaerobic Digestion, Coal Combustion Residuals in MSWLFs, and the International Climate and Clean Air Coalition.
Click the article or presentation title to read more.
Worker Safety in Solid Waste Collection SWANA has expanded the quality and quantity of safety education programs to its members and to the industry. Marc J. Rogoff, Ph.D., Project Director, SCS Engineers and David Biderman, Executive Director, SWANA write about these new and expanding safety programs.
Is Privatization the Answer? You need to consider several factors before making the decision for solid waste services. The decision by a governmental agency to perform solid waste services or to outsource them (privatizing) is complex and should consider costs and the major factors discussed in this MSW Management article by Marc Rogoff, Karl Moyers, Michelle Leonard, and Robert Gardner.
Anaerobic Digestion Post-consumer Food Scraps Presentation This presentation is an introduction to anaerobic digestion technologies and processes. The presentation covers the operational, construction, and permitting of facilities. What are the technical and financial considerations? Find out in this excellent guide co-authored by Greg McCarron.
Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) SCS will participate in the CCAC’s initiative to mitigate Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) from the Municipal Solid Waste sector. Read more about this international coalition to get involved.
Municipal Solid Waste Landfills and Coal Combustion Residuals Municipal solid waste landfills can safely manage CCR from coal-burning electric utilities, and changing regulations may increase the market for off-site disposal of CCR. But landfills should accept CCR only after adjusting their procedures to reflect the special characteristics of CCR materials. What do you need to know? Find out in this article by Mike McLaughlin member of the ABA, SEER Waste and Resource Recovery Committee.
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