Chapter 8.24 COLLECTION OF DESIGNATED RECYCLABLES

Chapter 8.24
COLLECTION OF DESIGNATED RECYCLABLES

Sections:

8.24.010 Categories of minimum levels of service.

8.24.020 General service levels.

8.24.030 Urban growth area service levels.

8.24.040 Urbanized area service levels.

8.24.050 Rural area service levels.

8.24.060 Definitions.

8.24.010 Categories of minimum levels of service.

The following service levels are grouped into four categories: general levels which apply to all solid waste collection programs in urban and rural areas; urban growth area services; urbanized area services and rural area services. Specific service levels are defined within each of the four categories and the entity responsible for the provision of service is identified. (Ord. 95-ORD-01 Exh. A (part), 1995)

8.24.020 General service levels.

A. Information and Education Programs. The Douglas County solid waste program office, herein referred to as the county shall coordinate a countywide public information program. This countywide public information program shall be coordinated with the certificated solid waste haulers, herein referred to as the hauler and the source separation recycling collection providers, herein referred to as the provider of Douglas County. The hauler and provider shall, with the assistance of the county, design and produce a mutually agreed upon countywide public information program. The haulers’ public information program production costs in the rate base shall be limited to the costs of printing, postage, logo stickers, phone hot lines, and other items mutually agreed upon by the hauler and the county which are normally used by the hauler in communicating with their customers.

The county shall use a technical advisory committee (TAC) with representatives from the hauler and provider to assist in the development of the countywide public information program to ensure that program materials address their issues and the mechanics of the countywide public information program are consistent. The countywide public information program materials should be ready for distribution a minimum of thirty days prior to the implementation of a source separation recycling program. Haulers shall coordinate their customer information programs concerning the collection of source separated recyclables with the countywide public information program.

Nothing in this section of the minimum level service ordinance is intended to be in conflict with the established regulations, rules, guidelines and orders of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. In the event of conflict between this minimum service level ordinance and RCW Chapter 81.77, the terms, conditions and requirements of RCW Chapter 81.77 shall govern.

B. Data Collection and Evaluation Program. The county shall implement a data collection and evaluation program to track, monitor and report the effectiveness of the source separation recycling program. Each hauler and provider within Douglas County shall prepare quarterly reports on the classification, tonnage and types of materials they are handling through their curbside and drop-off site collection programs and any additional recycling information requested by the county. Community recycling centers (CRC) operated by the jurisdictions of Mansfield and Waterville shall prepare quarterly reports on the classification, tonnage and types of materials they are handling through their drop-off collection programs and any additional recycling information requested by the county. The data collection and evaluation program shall be designed to be confidential to protect individual businesses from release of proprietary information. Quarterly reports shall tabulate tonnage of all materials collected, using a mutually agreed upon formula, and shall be used in the preparation of the annual countywide recycling report. The hauler, provider and the jurisdictions of Mansfield and Waterville shall participate in this data collection and evaluation program and provide the information requested by the county.

C. Annual Program Review. The county shall meet with the technical advisory committee (TAC) annually to review the effectiveness of the source separation recycling program. Specifically, this annual review shall focus on the following elements:

1. Effectiveness of the countywide public information program. Suggestions for improving the countywide public information program;

2. Effectiveness of the data collection and evaluation program. Suggestions for improving the data collection and evaluation program;

3. Effectiveness of the source separation recycling program. Suggestions for improving the source separation recycling program;

4. Re-evaluation and adjustment of the anticipated recycling collection participation rates percentage;

5. Re-evaluation of the designated list of source separated recyclables. This re-evaluation shall be based upon the following specific circumstances:

a. Adding recyclables:

i. Local markets and brokers expand their list of accepted items based on an increase in demand.

ii. Non-local markets and brokers create an increase in demand for the items.

b. Deleting a designated recyclable:

i. Once collected, no market can be found for the given item, causing the material to be stockpiled.

ii. The market value of the item drops to less than the cost to collect and transport the item for a period of six months;

6. Compliance with RCW Chapter 81.77;

7. Compliance with the adopted Douglas County solid waste management plan.

D. Allowable Implementation Costs. Those haulers which fall under the authority of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) may file a rate structure which provides for reasonable and necessary expenses for their source separation recycling program as defined in these minimum levels of service.

The collection rates shall include:

1. The hauler’s administration costs to monitor, to the best of the hauler’s ability, which designated recyclables are being collected, what volumes are being collected, the type of customers (residential versus commercial) using the service and the final market of the designated recyclables collected;

2. The hauler’s costs for setting up an information and data collection system to be able to provide the data required by the county;

3. The hauler’s administration, production and mailing costs for implementing the mutually agreed upon coordinated county- wide public information program;

4. The assumption of a voluntary curbside recycling collection participation rate of ten percent (plus or minus five percent) within the Urban Growth Area (UGA) and a voluntary recycling collection participation rate of three percent (plus or minus two percent) within the rural area;

5. The provision of providing recycling collection service to the customer requesting service from the hauler, whether the customer utilizes refuse collection service or not;

6. For urban customers, the cost of purchasing the recycling collection containers by the hauler, including the cost of delivering the recycling collection containers and arranging with their urban customers for curbside recycling collection service. The rates shall include the cost of stickers to be placed on the recycling collection containers to identify the hauler providing the service, the recyclable commodities to be collected, and the method of preparation for the designated recyclables to be collected;

7. For rural customers, including the residential customers of the city of Rock Island, the cost of purchasing the recycling collection containers by the hauler, including the cost of delivering the recycling collection containers and arranging with their rural customers, including the residential customers of the city of Rock Island, for recyclable collection service;

8. A separate replacement delivery service fee equal to or less than the replacement cost of the recycling collection containers. This replacement delivery service fee shall not apply to the first-time delivery of the recycling collection containers;

9. The hauler is required to procure the equipment necessary to implement their source separation recycling program as soon as practically possible and to begin implementation of their source separation recycling program no later than October 1st, 1995;

10. The jurisdictions of Mansfield and Waterville are required to procure the equipment necessary to implement their source separation recycling program as soon as practically possible and to begin the operation of their community recycling centers (CRC) no later than October 1st, 1995. An interlocal agreement will be negotiated between the jurisdictions of Mansfield and Waterville and the county regarding the minimum operating conditions and terms for the CRC’s.

E. Curbside Recycling Reduced Rate. If the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission authorizes a surcharge or reduced rate incentive based on a customer’s participation in a curbside residential recycling program, customer participation in any other noncurbside recycling program approved by the jurisdiction shall be eligible for such incentives.

F. Marketing Of Recyclable Materials Collected. The hauler and provider shall, where at all possible, develop agreements with local businesses which can utilize the designated recyclables collected at a fair and market-driven price. The agreements shall include a ten percent local preference allowance for local businesses who can utilize the designated recyclables collected. The hauler and provider are discouraged from entering into long-term supply contracts for designated recyclables with out-of-area businesses, if local businesses are available and willing to market and utilize the designated recyclables collected. The hauler and provider are not prohibited from entering into out-of-area agreements for designated recyclables collected that can not be locally utilized or are not fairly priced or market-driven locally.

8.24.030 Urban growth area service levels.

A. Urban Growth Area Residential Source Separation. Residents within the designated urban growth area (UGA) shall be provided the opportunity for source separated curbside collection of designated recyclables as set forth in the adopted Douglas County solid waste management plan. As stipulated in the adopted Douglas County solid waste management plan, the following criteria shall be used to evaluate the designated recyclable list:

1. Potential for waste stream diversion;

2. Collection efficiency;

3. Processing requirements;

4. Current market conditions.

As part of the annual program review process, a re-evaluation of the designated recyclables list shall be conducted in January of each year (refer to Section 8.24.020(C)). The county shall be responsible for publishing the designated recyclables list each February. The designated recyclables list shall be implemented by the hauler and provider by the 1st of April of that year.

B. Urban Growth Area Recycling Collection Containers. The hauler shall provide to their single-family residential customers located within the designated urban growth area (UGA) recycling collection containers made of recycled plastic. The style and color of the recycling collection containers shall be standardized throughout the hauler’s franchised area. There shall be sufficient space on the recycling collection container for a minimum of: the hauler’s logo, the identification of the designated recyclables to be collected, and the method of preparation of the designated recyclables to be accepted.

C. Urban Growth Area Service. The hauler shall offer their single-family customer households in the designated urban growth area (UGA) monthly curbside pick-up of the designated recyclables. The hauler shall provide recycling collection containers to each customer who chooses to take the monthly curbside recycling pick-up service. In order to prevent contamination of the designated recyclables collected, hauler drivers are directed to separate the designated recyclables from the customers containers into appropriate bins on the collection trucks. (Ord. 95-ORD-01 Exh. A (part), 1995)

8.24.040 Urbanized area service levels.

A. Urbanized Area Source-Separation. Residents within the jurisdictions of Mansfield and Waterville shall be provided the opportunity for drop-off collection of designated recyclables at their community recycling centers (CRC). The designation of which recyclable commodities are to be collected will be up to the individual jurisdiction operating the CRC.

B. Urbanized Area Recycling Collection Containers. Residents within the jurisdictions of Mansfield and Waterville will not be provided recycling collection containers by their contracted hauler.

C. Urbanized Area Service. Residents within the jurisdictions of Mansfield and Waterville are to be provided a convenient and reliable means of collection of source separated recyclables. Each of these jurisdictions will maintain and operate a community recycling center (CRC), which will be open to the public a minimum of four hours per week.

D. Community Recycling Centers (CRC). The jurisdictions of Mansfield and Waterville shall each operate and maintain a community recycling center to provide convenient access to their residents. The jurisdictions of Mansfield and Waterville shall not prohibit the rural residents of Douglas County from utilizing the CRC’s. The CRC’s shall consist of a fenced facility, which can be secured during non-operating hours, a combination collection and storage building with office, a number of large containers providing for the separate collection of each designated recyclable, a baler for processing the designated recyclables collected, and signage clearly stating when the facility will be open, what designated recyclables will be accepted, and the manner in which the designated recyclables will be accepted. The CRC’s shall be operated a minimum of four hours per week. The CRC’s shall be located on public property with off-the-road access and must meet all local zoning requirements. The countywide public information program shall encourage jurisdictional residents and rural self-haulers to utilize the CRC’s. (Ord. 95-ORD-01 Exh. A (part), 1995)

8.24.050 Rural area service levels.

A. Rural Area Source-Separation. Residents within the rural areas of Douglas County, and the residents of the jurisdiction of the city of Rock Island, shall be provided the opportunity of an integrated collection of designated recyclables, through direct contract with their hauler. As stipulated in the adopted Douglas County solid waste management plan, the following criteria shall be used to evaluate the designated recyclables list:

1. Potential for waste stream diversion;

2. Collection efficiency;

3. Processing requirements;

4. Current market conditions.

B. Rural Area Recycling Collection Containers. The hauler shall provide to their rural single-family residential customers, including their single-family residential customers within the city of Rock Island, recycling collection containers.

These recycling collection containers shall be filled with the designated recyclables and set out with the normal mixed waste for pick-up. For those rural single-family residential customers, including their single-family residential customers within the city of Rock Island who have chosen to only subscribe to recycling collection service, their recycling collection containers shall be filled with the designated recyclables and set out for pick-up. The style and color of the recycling collection containers shall be standardized throughout the hauler’s franchised area.

C. Rural Area Service. The hauler shall offer their rural single-family customer households, including their single-family residential customers within the city of Rock Island, weekly pick-up of recyclables. The hauler shall provide to each of their rural area recycling customers, including their customers in the city of Rock Island, recycling collection containers. In order to prevent contamination of the designated recyclables collected, the hauler is directed to separate the designated recyclables prior to final disposal. (Ord. 95-ORD-01 Exh. A (part), 1995)

8.24.060 Definitions.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section shall apply throughout this chapter.

“Certified solid waste hauler” means any solid waste collection company which has obtained from the Washington Transportation and Utilities Commission a certificate authorizing their operation within the state of Washington.

“Community recycling centers” means a recycling facility operated and maintained by a jurisdiction to which individuals bring recyclable materials.

“Comprehensive land use plan” means a generalized coordinated land use policy statement of the governing body of a county, city or town that is adopted pursuant to RCW 36.70A.

“Designated list of source separated recyclables” means the list of designated recyclable materials produced annually by the Douglas County solid waste program office.

“Designated recyclables” means those solid wastes that are separated for recycling or reuse, that are identified as recyclable by a local provider and have a market value that makes their collection economically viable.

“Douglas County solid waste management plan” means the adopted countywide solid waste management plan required by RCW 70.95.

“Drop-off collection program” means a source-separated recycling program where individuals deposit recyclable materials for collection.

“Integrated collection” means the practice of collecting both recyclable materials and municipal solid waste together.

“Interim urban growth area” means the urban growth area established by Douglas County in coordination with the incorporated cities and towns within Douglas County as an interim boundary until the established procedure as outlined in RCW 36.70A.140 are completed.

“Local markets” means recycling markets for recyclable materials that are available locally.

“Non-local markets” means recycling markets for recyclable materials that are not available locally.

“Recycling collection containers” means the container provided by the certified solid waste hauler to its customers to facilitate the collection of the recyclable materials.

“Reduced rate” means a residential solid waste collection rate incorporating a rebate, refund or discount.

“Refuse collection service” means the collection of municipal solid waste by a certified solid waste hauler for compensation.

“Rural area” means those areas within Douglas County which have been designated by Douglas County, in accordance with Chapter 36.70A RCW, as having rural characteristics.

“Self-haulers” means a person who, in his own vehicle, transports his own solid waste for disposal even if some other established collection alternative exists.

“Source separated recyclables” means the separation of different kinds of solid waste at the place where the waste originates; separating recyclable materials from wastes at the point of waste generation.

“Source separation recycling collection providers” means local businesses which provide recycling and/or reuse opportunities for the collected recyclable materials.

“Source separation recycling program” means a program established to collect and recycle source separation recyclable materials.

“Stockpiled” means the collection of recyclable materials for over six months without a market or means to recycle the materials collected.

“Technical advisory committee” means the Douglas County technical advisory committee, a subcommittee of the Douglas County solid waste advisory committee.

“Urban area” means those areas within Douglas County which have been designated by Douglas County, in accordance with Chapter 36.70A RCW, as having urban characteristics and where urban services and facilities are available.

“Urban growth area” means the designated urban area established by Douglas County in coordination with the incorporated cities and towns within Douglas County and in accordance with Chapter 36.70A RCW where urban development will be supported with urban services and facilities.

“Urbanized area” means those areas within Douglas County which have been designated by Douglas County, in accordance with Chapter 36.70A RCW, as having urban characteristics but are not included in an urban growth area. (Ord. 95-ORD-01 Exh. A (part), 1995)