This document summarizes information about zero waste collection events and operating a household hazardous waste collection center. It provides details on items collected, vendors, budgets, staffing, and timelines to plan collections. The collection center discussed saw increases in participants served, waste disposed of, revenues, and member communities. Key performance indicators that measured success included a 39% increase in participants, a 5.6% increase in waste volume, and wait times of less than 3 minutes. Feedback from residents showed appreciation for the service.

1. Zero Waste Collections
Tessa David, Director, MassToss & Devens HHW, MassRecycle R3, 3-30-15
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2. Decisions
Items
Collected/
Vendors
Date/
Location
Budget
Donations?
Fees?
Layout/
Staff
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3. - Site Items Collected
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Appliances Electronics
Batteries Furniture
Books, CDs, DVDs Household goods
Building Materials Tires
Clothing/Shoes/Textiles/Stuffed Animals

4. Attractive to Collect
More cost $$
Paper shredding
Styrofoam/peanuts
More labor
Smaller volume and impact
Lower return on time
Secure champions
Collaboration benefits
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5. Vendors
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Often provide staff
Quickly determine acceptable material
Local and sustainable
Economic
and
operational
efficiencies

6. Budget
Run free with donated labor
Donations available
Business sponsor refreshments
Cover cost - electronics & shredding fees
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7. Layout
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8. Adaptations?
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9. Pragmatic
Manager
Informative
Greeter
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Staff
Less if vendor provides
More if youth education
Assign duties
List tasks

10. Other Considerations
Liability
 Obtain certificate of Insurance
List host group & town as
additionally insured
 Volunteer wavier
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11. Timeline
Reservations - 1 Year
 Date
 Site
 Items
 Vendors
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12. 12
3 Months - Obtain
 Signs/banners/posters/flyers
 Posting permission
 School distribution permission
 Town meeting dates
 Websites, FB, flyers & pricing
 Volunteers

13. 13
1 Month
 Record date on
signs/banners
 Initial press release
 Overview & assignments
 Inquiries - special
handling/cost &not to
bring items
Procedures

14.  Distribute school flyers
 Order carbon receipts
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Tasks
3 weeks
2 weeks
 Second press release
 Post signs/banners
 Assemble supplies

15. 15
 Keys, rest room?
 Chalk ground / cones, signs
 Post directional & collection signs
 Tables/ chairs, tarps, tents?
 Water, coffee, snacks AM & noon

16. Event Day
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Open for vendors
Staff - 45 min. prep.
Set up

17. 17

18. 18
End of Day
 Count items received
 Debrief
 Staff
 Vendors
 User
 Lessons learned

19. Devens Regional Household Hazardous Products
Collection Center
FY13 Annual Report
Metrics (FY13 vs. FY12)
Member residents served were 681 vs 491, a 39% increase. They
constructively disposed of 42,555 vs 40,298 pounds of Household Hazardous
Products, a 5.6% increase. Operating revenues were $74,621 vs. $61,280, a
22% increase. Operating expenses were $64,202 vs $57,327, a 12%
increase. Operating surplus was $10,419 vs. $3,953, a 264% increase. Cost
reduction strategies resulted in $5,261 decrease in disposal costs.
Program Features
Residents and small businesses enjoyed the opportunity to properly dispose
of their toxic waste safely and easily at the Devens Regional Household
Hazardous Products Collection Center, also known as DevesHHW. There were
nineteen collection days that appropriately and securely collected household
hazardous waste such as unused cleaners, leftover paints, pool chemicals,
and fluorescent bulbs.
The DevensHHW service also resulted in additional protection to our drinking
water supplies. The program was so well received that the town of Ashby
joined July 1 and other communities have contacted us to find out how they
may join. Average wait times were 3 minutes, so it is an easy in and easy
out operation. The center is open for customers on the first Wednesday and
following Saturday from 9 to noon from March to December. It is located
behind 9 Cook Street. More information is available at
www.DevensHHW.com or by calling 978-501-3943.
This regional service makes it easier for residents of Ashby, Ayer, Bolton,
Devens, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Shirley and
Townsend to properly manage household toxic waste. In addition the
Collection Center is also available to businesses that do not exceed DEP’s
threshold for Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs) and generate less
than 220 pounds (approximately 27 gallons) of ignitable, corrosive, reactive,
toxic, or hazardous waste or waste oil per month and no acutely hazardous
waste.
 Participants
Increased 39%
 Volume Disposed
increase 5.6%
 Participating Communities
Increased 22%
 Wait less than 3 minutes
Measure Success
Key Performance Indicators
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20. Way better than what (we)
used to have. Quota
(reached) & that was it.
MC, Littleton
Good that you
do this!
Bolton resident
You’re so
cheerful!.
Bolton
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Promote Success
& Volumes Received

21. Questions? Comments?
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