This document discusses strategies for achieving higher waste diversion rates. It provides data on the breakdown of materials currently disposed in landfills. Key strategies to reach 50% diversion include universal curbside recycling and composting, yard waste drop-off centers, pay-as-you-throw pricing, and construction and demolition debris recovery. Reaching 70% requires mandatory recycling and composting for all homes and businesses, and reducing trash pickup frequency. Nearly full diversion requires producer responsibility, developing markets for all materials, and education. San Francisco's program and ordinance are highlighted as a model, with over 72% diversion currently achieved.

1. Slicing the Pie: Setting Targets for Zero WasteMichael Alexander, PresidentRecycle AwayMarch 29th, 2011

2. Materials Currently DisposedRecyclable Paper20%Food Scraps20%Yard Trimmings5%Bottles & Cans5%Compostable Paper10%Construction &Demolition Debris15%Other25%

3. Materials Management DiamondManagement TechnologiesMaterials/Generatorsscraps yard, steel & paper millspre-consumer materials, scrap metal, printer scrapstandard curbside bins, no automated collectionbottles, cans & newspapers,yard waste from homeslarger single stream bins, automated collection vehicles , business systemsrecyclables from non-participating homes, businesses, and public spacesgrinders, land spreaders, anaerobic digesters, food scraps, textiles,C&D debrismulti-material/composite packaging & productsNext generation of conversion technologiespersonal hygiene products & highly contaminated materialslandfilling

4. Key Strategies – Getting to 50% DiversionSource: Eco-Cycle

5. Key Strategies – Getting to 50% DiversionUniversal curbside recycling and composting collectionsYard Waste drop‐off centersSource: Eco-Cycle

6. Key Strategies – Getting to 50% DiversionUniversal curbside recycling and composting collectionsYard Waste drop‐off centersPay‐As‐You‐Throw (PAYT) pricing structureSingle largest incentive to increase recyclingSource: Eco-Cycle

7. PAYT Pricing Sends a Clear MessageWorcester, MAPopulation 173,000San Francisco, CAPopulation 775,000Unit based pricing is just a different way of paying for waste Source: Kristen Brown, Green Waste Solutions, www.thewastesolution.com

8. Worcester, MA: PAYT ResultsSource: Kristen Brown, Green Waste Solutions, www.thewastesolution.com

9. Overall Waste GenerationDecrease + 20%Source: Kristen Brown, Green Waste Solutions, www.thewastesolution.com

10. Key Strategies – Getting to 50% DiversionUniversal curbside recycling and composting collectionsYard Waste drop‐off centersPay‐As‐You‐Throw pricing structure single largest incentive to increase recyclingMinimum 25% C&D recovery Incorporate recycling requirements and deconstruction into green building codesSource: Eco-Cycle

11. Key Strategies – Getting to 50% DiversionUniversal curbside recycling and composting collectionsYard Waste drop‐off centersPay‐As‐You‐Throw pricing structure single largest incentive to increase recyclingMinimum 25% C&D recovery Incorporate recycling requirements and deconstruction into green building codesEducationSource: Eco-Cycle

12. Key Strategies – Getting to 70% DiversionSource: Eco-Cycle

13. Mandatory recycling and composting at all homes and businessesKey Strategies – Getting to 70% DiversionSource: Eco-Cycle

14. US Curbside Residential Food Scrap Collection Programs14Source: SWANA, 2008

15. 15US Curbside Residential Food Scrap Collection ProgramsSource: SWANA, 2008

16. Key Strategies – Getting to 70% DiversionMandatory recycling and composting at all homes and businessesReduce trash service frequency to every other weekSource: Eco-Cycle

17. Advantages to Every Other Week Trash CollectionOrganics collected weekly -minimizes odors -incentivizes people to use composting Recycling and trash alternate every other week -Saves $2.50 ‐$3.75 per household per month off the costs of collection trash, which helps offset processing and collection costs for organics -Toronto: biweekly; Arcata, CA: up to monthly; Boulder, CO: on‐call bag option Source: Eco-Cycle

18. Key Strategies – Getting to 70% DiversionMandatory recycling and composting at all homes and businessesReduce trash service frequency to every other weekFinish building the local Zero Waste Infrastructure - Create local CHaRM (Hard‐To‐Recycle Center) - Create local Reuse for used building materials (UBM’s) - Promote local “reuse retail” businesses (thrift and repair)Source: Eco-Cycle

19. Key Strategies for 90% DiversionSource: Eco-Cycle

20. Key Strategies – Getting to 90% DiversionMandatory participation across all sectors -Business, residential, industrial, C&D, multi‐family units -San Francisco could be at 90% today with full participationProducer Responsibility (EPR) policies change our world -Industry phases out toxic products to increase recovery potential -Industry funds collection of hard‐to‐recycle products and packaging -Industry rewarded for design‐for‐recovery Developing (local) markets for everything discarded -85% of materials have a market today…keep going !!Education, education, educationSource: Eco-Cycle

21. State Goals Beyond 70%Washington: 80% by 2020

22. Florida: 75% by 2020

23. Minnesota: 75% by 2025

24. Massachusetts: 70% by 2010

25. California: 37 communities above 70%; (San Francisco 72%)Source: Eco-Cycle

26. State Strategies to Maximize RecyclingEstablish Aggressive GoalsEnact Disposal Bans Expand Bottle BillsBuild Local Recycling Capacity BuildingModernize the Infrastructure Introduce Product Stewardship LegislationExpand Market DevelopmentProvide Local Government Funding

27. Communities on the Front-Lines of the Zero Waste MovementAustin, TX Alaminos City, PhilippinesCanberra, AustraliaNew Zealand – with over 66% of NZ CitiesBuenos Aires, ArgentinaSeattle, WABoulder, COCentral Vermont Waste Mgt. District, VTSan Luis Obispo, CAFresno, CASan Francisco, CADel Norte County CAOakland, CASanta Cruz County, CABerkeley, CAPalo Alto, CAMarin CountyLos Angeles, CAChicago, IL Halifax, Nova ScotiaToronto, OntarioNelson, British Columbia and other Regional Districts Source: www.zwia.org

28. San Francisco’s Waste Diversion & Zero Waste Goals199010% Diversion

29. 19902000CA State Mandate with PenaltiesSan Francisco’s Waste Diversion & Zero Waste Goals

30. San Francisco’s Waste Diversion & Zero Waste Goals199020002005>50% Diversion

31. 1990200020052007>72% Diversion(Including C&D)San Francisco’s Waste Diversion & Zero Waste Goals

32. San Francisco’s Waste Diversion & Zero Waste Goals20092005200720001990- Ban on Styrofoam & Plastic Bags - Mandatory Participation in Recycling, C&D, & Composting

33. San Francisco’s Waste Diversion & Zero Waste Goals2010Goal 75% Landfill Diversion19902000200520072009

34. San Francisco’s Waste Diversion & Zero Waste Goals1990200020052007200920102020Zero Waste Diverted to Landfill or Incinerator

35. 3 Stream Collection Programs for Residents and Businesses

36. Easy to Understand Program & Outreach

37. Food Service/Event Signage

38. Designed for Easy ParticipationKitchen PailLabeled LidsWheeled CartPhoto Courtesy of City of San Francisco

40. Recology’sJepsen Prairie Organics Regional Composting FacilityCourtesy of City of San Francisco

41. SF Mandatory Recycling and Composting OrdinanceEffective October 21, 2009:Everybody(residential and commercial)must separate recyclables, compostables(food waste, organic material, etc.) and trash into designated containers Hmmmmm, does that include me???That would be a, “YES!”

42. SF Mandatory Recycling and Composting OrdinanceEffective October 21, 2009:Everybody (residential and commercial)must separate recyclables, compostables(food waste, organic material, etc.) and trash into designated containers Property managers must provide program for tenants, contractors/janitors with appropriate color-coded containers, signage and education/training

43. SF Mandatory Recycling and Composting OrdinanceEffective October 21, 2009:Everybody (residential and commercial)must separate recyclables, compostables(food waste, organic material, etc.) and trash into designated containers Property managers must provide program for tenants, contractors/janitors with appropriate color-coded containers, signage and education/trainingPotential fines up to $100 for residents, $1,000 for businesses

44. SF Mandatory Recycling and Composting OrdinanceEffective October 21, 2009:Everybody (residential and commercial)must separate recyclables, compostables(food waste, organic material, etc.) and trash into designated containers Property managers must provide program for tenants, contractors/janitors with appropriate color-coded containers, signage and education/trainingPotential fines up to $100 for residents, $1000 for businessesPressure from ordinance has resulted in 15% increase composting tonnage to nearly 500 tpd and doubling of new composting participation requests

45. Lessons & Recommendations from San FranciscoProvide convenient, color coded and easy to use collection programs Conduct extensive outreach and on-site assistance to commercial & multi-tenant customers Mandate participation with threat of finesImprove technologies to reduce environmental impacts and improve/diversify products (i.e. biodiesel or anaerobic digestion)Pursue Extended Producer Responsibility policies

46. Michael Alexander, PresidentRecycle AwayBrattleboro, VT 053021-800-664-5340c) 802-579-7432Michael@RecycleAway.comwww.RecycleAway.com