United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste
and Emergency Response
(5306W)
EPA530-R-97-011
September 1997
http://www.epa.gov
Measuring Recycling
A Guide for State and Local
Governments
 > Printed on paper that contains at least 20 percent postconsumer fiber.

-------
  Measuring Recycling
A Guide for State and Local
      Governments

-------
List of Tables	iii





About This Guide	v





Acknowledgments  	vii





Section I   Introduction  	I





Section 2   Elements of Standardization  	5



    Standard elements	6



    Flexible elements	7





Section 3   Planning	15



    Define your program goals	15



    Determine  if useful data are already being collected  	16



    Ascertain your authority to survey and collect data  	16



    Determine  who will collect recycling measurement data  	17



    Decide on reporting requirements	18



    Establish program staff and budget  	19



    Establish a timeframe for system development	19





Section 4   Design 	23



    Learn about your terrain  	23



    Solicit input into the design of your system  	25



    Determine  what type of information is needed  	25



    Determine  whom to survey 	26



    Address confidentiality guarantees	33



    Determine  how to manage and analyze the information	33
                                                                       Contents     j

-------
Section 5   Implementation	37

   Institute measures to increase your survey response rate  	37

   Educate survey respondents 	38

   Distribute survey forms  	39

   Maintain frequent communication with survey respondents	40

   Compile data and calculate an MSW recycling rate	41

   Verify and double-check data 	43

   Share information 	44


Section 6   Enhancement  	45

   Expand or change data collection efforts	45

   Refine and modify the survey forms  	45

   Consider measuring source reduction 	46

   Take advantage of electronic reporting	46


Appendices


Appendix A: Glossary	49


Appendix B: Standard Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors	59


Appendix C: Survey Forms  	63


Appendix D: Recycling Rate Worksheets	I07


Appendix E: Resources	I37


Appendix F: Sample Language for Freedom of Information	I43
            Act Exemption


Appendix G: Sample Cover Letters	I45


Appendix H: Adjusting Waste Generation	I49

-------
                      Tabl
Table A.  Scope of Materials Included in the Standard MSW Recycling Rate	11

Table B.  Scope of Activities Included in the Standard MSW Recycling Rate	13

Table I.   Sources of MSW  	6

Table 2.   Survey Forms and Respondents	9

Table 3.   Recycling Rate Worksheets	9

Table 4.   Direct vs. Indirect Surveying	17

Table 5.   Reporting Options and Typical Cost and Response Implications	19

Table 6.   Recycling Measurement Timeline  	21

Table 7.   Identifying the Key Players in Waste Management in
          Your State or Locality  	24

Table 8.   Data Needed to Calculate an Overall Recycling Rate	26

Table 9.   Data Collection Needs  	28

Table 10. Overview of Preferred Approaches for Data Collection	29

Table II.  Survey Forms	40

Table 12. Examples of Source Reduction Activities	46

Table 13. Survey Forms	64
                                                                  List of Tables   jjj

-------
J
About This
         This guide is designed to help state and local
         agencies measure municipal solid waste (MSW)
         recycling. It contains instructions, definitions, case
studies, tips, forms, and worksheets to help calculate an
MSW recycling rate. Information is provided to help track
broad categories of recycled materials and commodity-
specific categories, if desired. All features of the guide,
including the survey forms and worksheets, can  be used by
both state and local governments that measure recycling.

For more information, or to order documents on
issues related to recycling measurement, call the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's  RCRA/Superfund
Hotline at 800 424-9346.
                                                   About This Guide

-------
J
                owledgments
                V                 ^^
          Many state and local officials, solid waste profes-
          sionals, and recycling experts with extensive expe-
          rience in the recycling measurement field
contributed to the development of this guide. The guide
also builds upon work initiated by the  State Data Collection
Project, conducted from 1992 through 1994 by the
Council of State Governments under a grant from the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

EPA would like to thank the following individuals for their
assistance in developing this guide:
Council of State Governments
Laura Kliewer Foster, Midwestern Office
Ellen Pratt, Northeast Recycling Council

Peer  Review Group
Kip Eagles, Washington Department of
Ecology
Tony Hainault, Minnesota Office of
Environmental Assistance
Carl Hursh, Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection
Mark Lennon, New Hampshire Department
of Environmental Services
Edgar Miller, National Recycling Coalition
Seth Phillips and Sharon Edgar, Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality
Woody Raine and Bill Carter, Texas Natural
Resources Conservation Commission
Joan Rohlfs, Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments
                                                    Focus Group
                                                    Harry Benson, Wellman, Inc.
                                                    Tim Breneisen, Lancaster County Solid Waste
                                                    Management Authority, Pennsylvania
                                                    Phil Carnevale, Schiavone-Bonomo
                                                    Pablo Collins, The Davidson Colling Group
                                                    Robert Davis, Browning-Ferris Industries
                                                    Michael Poland, Environmental Recycling, Inc.
                                                    Bob Reichard, Laidlaw Waste Systems
                                                    Carlos Rovelo, Rock-Term Company
                                                    Nathan Tyler, Glass Packaging Institute
                                                          Acknowledgments   yjj

-------
                 National Recycling Coalition
                 Workshop
                 Nancy Carr, California Integrated Waste
                 Management Board
                 Ron Henricks, Florida Department of
                 Environmental Protection
                 Mitra Khazi, Indiana Department of
                 Environmental Management
                 Peter Spendaloe, Oregon Department of
                 Environmental Quality
                 Vicki Viens, Vermont Department of
                 Environmental Conservation

                 Other  State and  Local Government
                 Representatives Who Assisted
                 Dave Benke, Minnesota Office of
                 Environmental Assistance
                 Ann Bernstein, Minnesota Office of
                 Environmental Assistance
                 Esther Bo wring, Montgomery County,
                 Maryland, Department of Environmental
                 Protection
                 William Golden, New York  Department of
                 Environmental Conservation
                 Gerry Geiger, Indiana Department of
                 Environmental Management
                 Rodney Glotfelty, Garrett County, Maryland,
                 Office of Solid Waste and Recycling
Karen Harrington, Minnesota Office of
Environmental Assistance
Ed Harris, Fairfax County, Virginia,
Department of Public Works
Judy Henderson, Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality
Suzanne Laland, Onondaga County, New
York, Resource Recovery Agency
Virginia Lipscomb, Maryland Department of
the Environment
Jacquie Moon, Oregon Department of
Environmental Quality
Raymond Moreau, Florida Department of
Environmental Protection
Scott Mouw, North Carolina Office of Waste
Reduction
Kerry Overlee, Mecklenberg County, North
Carolina, Department of Engineering and
Building Standards
Lynn Schramel,  Monroe County, New York,
Department of Environmental Services
Caroline Smith, Anoka County, Minnesota,
Integrated Waste Management Unit
Phil Spranger, Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources
David White, Ohio Environmental Protection
Agency
viii   Acknowledgments

-------
           Recycling is an important part of integrated solid
           waste management (ISWM)—the complementary
           use of source reduction,  recycling, combustion,
and landfilling to manage municipal solid  waste (MSW). In
the ISWM hierarchy, recycling (including  composting) is the
preferred waste management option, after source reduc-
tion, to reduce  potential  risks to human  health and the
environment, divert wastes from landfills and combustors,
conserve energy, and slow the depletion  of nonrenewable
natural resources. This guide can  help you  measure your
progress in  recycling and promote consistency among
states and localities.
  In recent years, many state and
local governments have set recy-
cling  goals  and  implemented
systems  for  determining  their
progress in meeting those goals. As
of 1993,  approximately 40 states
were collecting and maintaining
data on recycling; 26 of these calcu-
lated  an actual  recycling rate.1
"Measuring recycling" typically
entails   surveying   generators,
collectors,  processors,  and  end
users of MSW and recyclables to
collect data on one or more of the
following:
• Overall tonnages of municipal
  waste  discarded  and materials
  recycled.
• Tonnages of broad  categories
  of materials,  such  as  paper,
  recycled.
• Tonnages of specific categories
  of materials, such as newsprint,
  recycled.
  Recycling  measurement is dif-
ferent from the measurement of
waste diversion in that data are col-
lected on the amount of materials
recycled or composted rather than
on the amount of disposed  solid
waste.
  Currently, not everyone defines
recycling or the processes that con-
stitute recycling in the same way.
Definitions of MSW  also  vary.
There is no standard approach for
how or where to collect the needed
data. The methods used to calcu-
late a recycling rate also differ from
one area to another. All of these fac-
tors can make it difficult to collect
and analyze data and to compare
the effectiveness of recycling pro-
grams from one region to another.
   From 1992 to  1994, the Council
of State Governments  conducted
the State Data Collection project
under   a   U.S.   Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)  grant.
The project identified current and
future state plans  for data  collec-
tion and opportunities  for consis-
tency  in recycling measurement.
The  project  concluded that  a
uniform,  national  method  for
measuring recycling rates be devel-
oped.  Subsequent interviews with
state officials  indicated  states are
open to switching to a standard
'Council  of State Governments. 1993. Data
Collection for Recyclable Materials Collection and
Marketing: Interim Report.
                                                                                    Introduction

-------
national  system  if   the   new
approach gives them flexibility and
guidance on important data collec-
tion  and  measurement issues.
Moreover, state officials bound to
their  existing  data  collection sys-
tems, generally  due to legislated
requirements,  indicated they were
willing  to  recalculate  their recy-
cling  rate   using  a   standard
methodology  if  one were devel-
oped. Officials in states that do not
currently collect data indicated that
the development of standard recy-
cling  measurement   techniques
could assist in convincing decision-
makers  to support future data col-
lection efforts and would provide
an off-the-shelf tool for creating a
recycling measurement program.
As  a result of these  conclusions,
EPA worked with state and local
officials  to  develop this recycling
measurement guide.
  This  guide  is designed to help
promote consistency  in the way
recycling data are collected, mea-
sured, and reported by state and
local  governments. In  order  to
achieve  uniformity and  address
wide variations in what is counted
as MSW and recycling from one
area to another, a standard scope of
materials to be measured is need-
ed.  EPA reviewed a wide range of
scopes when developing the stan-
dard  measurement methodology
presented in this guide. The select-
ed scope relies on EPA's historical
definition of MSW as contained in
the EPA report,  Characterization of
Municipal Solid Waste in the United
States.  This  scope was chosen
because it is broadly accepted and
understood, the  data are familiar
and accessible throughout the  50
states, and default  values can  be
extracted from the  report if mea-
surers have incomplete data.  For
practical purposes, the  standard
scope is wholly consistent with the
definitions and distinctions made
in this report.
  Not all types of solid waste are
included  in the scope. Various
items, including construction and
demolition debris, manufacturing
waste, and  overissue newspapers
to name a few, are excluded from
the  standard  scope.  Although
recovery of these materials is not
factored into the standard calcula-
tion used  to determine a recycling
rate,  EPA encourages  state and
local governments to continue their
efforts to promote the recycling of
these items. In addition, space for
collecting these data is provided on
the survey  forms included with
this guide, which are designed to
help obtain data on MSW disposal
and recycling.
  For those agencies desiring to
perform recycling  measurement
for  the  first time, this guide pro-
vides a straightforward, cost-effec-
tive, and standardized system for
compiling and calculating the nec-
essary data. A step-by-step process
for  developing a  recycling mea-
surement program  is   outlined,
complete with tips and  case stud-
ies. This guide also provides infor-
mation  for those agencies  with  a
measurement program already in
place but interested in switching to
the  standardized approach.  In
addition,  agencies interested  in
simply  recalculating an  overall
recycling rate to be consistent with
the standardized methodology will
find this guide helpful.
  Although numerous  tips  are
offered in the  guide  for obtaining
accurate data, EPA recognizes the
need to balance the resources spent
on recycling measurement  against
the larger goal of advancing inte-
grated solid waste management.
For this reason, EPA allows for the
estimation  of  data  in   certain
instances, providing that estimates
are based on good, solid  knowl-
edge  of  the  sources and  flow of
MSW within a region.
   The methodology  and  recom-
mendations presented in this guide
represent the practical experience
of many states and localities cur-
rently measuring recycling. Aside
from establishing a voluntary, uni-
form  method for calculating recy-
cling  rates, this  guide offers state
and local governments a number of
benefits, including advice and rec-
ommendations for:
•  Obtaining accurate data.
•  Minimizing double counting.
•  Identifying possible errors  or
   omissions in data.
•  Establishing  relationships with
   the private sector to obtain com-
   mercial recycling information.
•  Ensuring  the  private sector's
   confidentiality when reporting
   data.
•  Using national waste characteri-
   zation  data  to estimate waste
   generation when disposal data
   are not available.
•  Accounting  for imports and
   exports of MSW and recyclable
   materials.
•  Streamlining   and  improving
   data collection.
•  Reducing  recycling measure-
   ment costs.
   Although  state and local gov-
ernments can  benefit from  the
information contained in this guide
without adopting the standard
recycling measurement methodol-
ogy, doing  so  has many  advan-
tages. Standard data collection and
calculation methods (including the
 Section 1

-------
use of the survey forms included
with this guide) can help achieve:
• Greater cooperation from infor-
  mation sources  supplying data,
  who appreciate efforts to stream-
  line and  standardize  reporting
  requirements.
• More opportunities to exchange
  information  and advance recy-
  cling measurement techniques,
  since   similar   methods  are
  employed nationwide.
• Fewer opportunities for manipu-
  lation of recycling data in order to
  meet recycling goals.
• Time and cost savings for every-
  one involved in data  collection
  and analysis.
• Enhanced  ability  to improve
  waste handling  and  recycling
  programs,  since  standard  recy-
  cling rates are  produced  that
  can  be  tracked  against other
  programs.
  In addition, standardization ben-
efits the businesses and industry
representatives that supply  recy-
cling and waste  disposal data to
state and local agencies. A recycling
measurement system that involves
standard definitions, survey forms,
and reporting requirements simpli-
fies and streamlines the reporting
process for these  data sources and
reduces the amount of  time  and
resources they must expend.

-------
    laments  ol
             ^^^^^_^^^
    tandardizatio
    In order to produce comparable recycling rates, certain elements of
    recycling measurement must be consistent from one jurisdiction to another.
    These required elements of standardization are as follows:
  • Include only the standard scope of MSW.
  • Include only standard recycling activities.
  • Use the standard equation for calculating a recycling rate.
  • Account for imports and exports of materials.
  • Obtain data on a calendar year basis.
  • Report data in tons.
Even though the standardized recycling measurement system presented in this
guide is voluntary, if you choose to implement this system in your state or locality,
these components must be included in order for standardization to occur.
  Other aspects of recycling measurement are flexible. These include:
  • WHY to measure recycling.
  • WHEN to collect the necessary data.
  • WHO should collect and compile the information.
  • WHERE to collect the information.
  • HOW to collect, organize, and maintain the data.
This guide suggests preferred strategies for handling these flexible aspects of
measurement, but since every jurisdiction is different, techniques that work effectively
in one region may  require modification in another.
  Equation for Calculating the Standard Recycling Rate
      MSW Recycling Rate
'O/ \ _
 /o) —
                                 Total MSW Recycled
xlOO
                                Total MSW Generated*
          *Total MSW Generated = Total MSW Recycled + Total MSW Disposed of
                                                       Elements of Standardization

-------
Standard
Elements
  The six elements detailed below
comprise the standard methodolo-
gy  for measuring recycling. As
such, they are  required for states
and localities that choose to imple-
ment the methodology.

1.   Include only the
    standard scope of
     MSW.
  Only MSW as defined in Table A
(page 11)  is included when calcu-
lating  a recycling rate using the
standard  methodology presented
in this  guide. MSW  is generated
from residential, commercial, insti-
tutional, and industrial  sources.
Examples  of waste  from these
sources are provided in  Table 1,
and a  detailed description of the
standard scope of MSW is provid-
ed in Table A.
  While definitions of MSW differ
from region to region,  EPA  has
defined and characterized MSW in
a consistent way for over a decade.
The scope of MSW employed in the
standard  methodology is consis-
tent  with EPA's Characterization of
Municipal Solid Waste in the United
States,  a study based on data col-
lected since 1960. The definition of
MSW contained  in  this report is
based  on the  historical manage-
ment of  municipal solid waste.
Although it is common practice to
landfill materials such as munici-
pal sludge, nonhazardous industri-
al process wastes, and construction
and  demolition  (C&D)  debris
along with MSW, these materials
are not included in the standard
scope of MSW or in calculating a
standard  recycling  rate.   Such
wastes  are  referred to  as  Other
Solid Waste in this guide. (Refer to
the Glossary  in  Appendix  A  for
complete definitions.)
   Defining the scope of MSW in
the same way it is defined in EPA's
characterization study ensures that
recycling rates  are comparable
from year to  year  since they are
based on historical continuity. This
study also provides  a source of
default values that can be utilized
in calculating a recycling rate  if
necessary.  Finally,  use  of  the
study's  definition of  MSW pro-
motes consistency by establishing a
common language for recycling
discussions.

2. Include only

    standard recycling

    activities.
   Recycling of MSW is defined as
the series of activities by which dis-
carded postconsumer materials are
collected,  sorted, processed, con-
verted into  raw materials,  and
used  in  the production  of new
products. Some examples  of recy-
cling activities included are recy-
cling  old  newspaper  into new
paper, recycling discarded  alu-
minum cans into new ones,  offsite
composting of leaves, and mulching
old pallets  into wood  chips.  (Refer
to the Glossary in Appendix A for a
complete definition.)
TABLE  I.   SOURCES OF NSW
   SOURCES

   Residential
   (single- and multi-family homes).

   Commercial
   (office buildings, retail and
   wholesale establishments, and
   restaurants).

   Institutional
   (schools, libraries, hospitals, and
   prisons).

   Industrial
   (packaging and administrative, but
   not process wastes).
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF NSW

Old newspapers, clothing, packaging, cans and bottles, food scraps, and
yard trimmings.

Old corrugated containers (OCC), office papers, yard trimmings, food scraps,
disposable tableware, paper napkins, and cans and bottles.
Office papers, books, yard trimmings, and cafeteria wastes (food scraps,
disposable tableware, paper napkins, and cans and bottles).
OCC, plastic film, wood pallets, office papers, and cafeteria wastes (food
scraps, disposable tableware, paper napkins, and cans and bottles).
 Section 2

-------
  Preconsumer recycling, such as
recycling trimmings  from paper
converting   operations,  is   not
included in calculating a standard
recycling rate. Also omitted is the
recycling of all  non-MSW materi-
als, such as C&D debris and used
oil.  Source reduction  activities,
including reuse practices and back-
yard composting, also are excluded
from the standard recycling  rate.
Combustion for energy  recovery,
like other types of MSW disposal, is
excluded. The scope of MSW recy-
cling is described in detail in Table B
(page 13).
  The  definition of  recycling
employed by the standard method-
ology is consistent with the defini-
tion used in EPA's Characterization
of Municipal Solid Waste  in  the
United States. The  use of the same
definition over time promotes con-
sistency and comparability among
recycling rates.


3.  Use the standard

    equation  for

    calculating a

    recycling rate.

  The standard methodology uses
the equation shown on page 5 for
calculating a recycling rate.

  The MSW recycling rate is calcu-
lated by dividing the total amount
of MSW recycled (including offsite
composting) in the measurement
year (the previous calendar year)
by the total amount of MSW gener-
ated. MSW generation is equal to
the total amount of MSW recycled
plus the total amount of MSW dis-
posed of, in tons. Both MSW gener-
ation and   recycling totals  are
adjusted to account  for imports
and exports of waste and recy-
clables.  Methods  for  obtaining
recycling and waste disposal data
are described in Section  4. Also,
methods for using waste character-
ization data to estimate MSW gen-
eration (when disposal data are not
available or reliable) are provided
in Section 5.

4. Account for

    imports and
    exports of MSW

    and recyclables.
   MSW and  recyclables  often
move across jurisdictional  lines for
economic and practical  reasons.
Current  recycling measurement
systems do not always account for
the exporting and importing  of
materials resulting from  the free
movement of waste and  recy-
clables between states or localities.
   The  standard  methodology
requires that your recycling rate
include only materials generated in
your state or locality.  This allows
for a more accurate  account  of
waste  generated and materials
recycled within your jurisdiction.
For this reason, when calculating
the amount of MSW recycled, be
sure to add to the total any recy-
clable materials that were exported
from your state or locality, and sub-
tract  any recyclables that were
imported into your state or locality.
Likewise, when calculating  the
amount of MSW disposed of, any
MSW that was exported from your
jurisdiction should be added to the
total, and  any  MSW imported
should be subtracted. Section 4 of
this guide provides suggestions for
how to track exports and imports.

5. Obtain data on a
    calendar year basis.
   Some existing measurement sys-
tems use calendar year data, while
other systems employ fiscal year
data. An important aspect of stan-
dardization, therefore, is setting a
uniform   measurement   year.
Private recyclers and disposal facil-
ities supplying  more  than one
jurisdiction with data will appreci-
ate such uniformity. To be  consis-
tent, the standard  methodology
requires collection of data  for the
previous calendar year (January to
December).


6. Report data in tons.

   Another  important  aspect  of
standardization is a uniform unit
of measurement. Data sources are
asked to report quantities  in tons
and to use conversion factors if the
tonnage is not available. Volume-
to-weight  conversion factors  are
provided  to allow  for  standard
conversions  (see Appendix  B).
Alternatively, respondents can use
their own conversion factors pro-
vided they are based on actual data
and not estimates.
Flexible Elements
   Below are the elements of recy-
cling measurement that will differ
among jurisdictions. Although the
standard methodology does  not
prescribe  a  single method  for
addressing these  elements, this
guide  does  provide  preferred
approaches based  on  the  experi-
ence  of  many  state  and local
governments.

1.  When to  collect
    data.
   Although the standard method-
ology requires you to collect data
from the previous calendar year,
exactly when you choose to collect
and compile these  data is entirely
                                                                       Elements of Standardization

-------
 Benefits To  Using
 The Survey  Forms
 I.  The survey forms
    ensure you will get the
    data needed to calcu-
    late an MSW recycling
    rate.
 2.  Survey respondents
    serving more than one
    state or locality will
    appreciate receiving a
    standard form.
 3.  The survey forms also
    allow agencies to track
    recycling and disposal
    of other solid wastes
    (e.g., C&D debris).
 4.  You will have enough
    data from the survey
    forms to calculate
    other performance
    measures if you
    choose, such as per
    capita waste generation
    and recycling rates, and
    to track reductions in
    waste disposal (waste
    diversion rates).
 5.  The survey forms
    are  easy to read and
    include clear, simple
    instructions.
 6.  The survey forms
    have been tested and
    refined through a
    peer review process
    and demonstration
    projects.
up to you. Section 3 contains a rec-
ommended  timeline that suggests
dates for distributing survey forms
and requesting responses.  While
you can  adjust this  schedule to
meet your needs, keep in mind that
companies serving more than one
state or  locality will appreciate
having only one  due  date to
remember.


2.  How to obtain the

    necessary  data.

  Survey forms are typically used
for obtaining the data needed to
calculate a recycling rate. Although
there are many benefits to all states
and  localities  using the same
survey form, this  is  not always
practical.  Some state and local gov-
ernments have developed a form
over years of surveying that works
well for them, while  others have
unique information needs that pre-
clude  using  a  standard  form.
Therefore, the use of a standard form
is  not a  required  element of
standardization.

  Appendix C contains six survey
forms (see Table 2 on page 9). You
can reproduce these forms directly,
modify them to fit your needs, or
use your own forms. The first three
survey forms seek data from  spe-
cific points in the recycling chain—
collection,    processing,    and
remanufacturing. The remaining
three survey forms seek waste dis-
posal   information  from  waste
haulers, transfer stations, and dis-
posal facility operators. In each set
of three, one or more of the forms
can be used depending on where
you choose to get your data.

  Appendix D contains four recy-
cling rate worksheets  (see Table 3
on page  9). The worksheets are
designed  for state and local gov-
ernments that have  never mea-
sured recycling as  well  as those
already collecting data who want
to either switch to  the  standard
methodology  or recalculate their
recycling rate according to  the
standard method.

3.  Who is responsible

    for collecting the

    data.
  Any entity within a  state or
locality can collect recycling  and
waste disposal  information from
data sources. Typically, the depart-
ment in charge of recycling takes
on the data collection responsibili-
ty. However, state or local  recycling
organizations,  trade associations,
or  other  government   agencies
(such as permitting divisions  that
are  compiling data  from annual
permit reports) also can collect the
necessary data. Alternatively, some
states enlist the help of their city or
county governments, who survey
data sources and then report back.
Who is responsible for directly sur-
veying data sources will not affect
your ability to calculate a  standard
recycling rate for MSW.

4.  Where to survey

    for the needed data.
  The recycling and waste dispos-
al data needed to calculate a recy-
cling rate can be obtained from
numerous   sources,  including
collectors,  processors,  recycling
plants,  and  disposal  facilities.
Section  4  explains  the  different
options   for   surveying  these
sources. While  there are advan-
tages and disadvantages to survey-
ing  each of the sources, where you
choose to obtain your data is not a
required element of the  standard
measurement methodology.
Section 2

-------
TABLE 2. SURVEY FORMS AND RESPONDENTS
SURVEY FORM
Form 1
Form 2
Form 3
Form 4
Form 5
Form 6
RESPONDENT TYPE
Collectors of Recyclables
Processors of Recyclables
End Users of Recyclables
Collectors of MSW
Transfer Stations
Waste Disposal Facilities
TABLE 3. RECYCLING RATE WORKSHEETS
   WORKSHEET
WHO SHOULD USE
                                                                    PURPOSE
   Converting to the Standard
   Recycling Rate.
State and local governments that are
already collecting data and have
previously calculated a recycling rate.
To recalculate a recycling rate using the
standard MSW recycling rate equation.
   B1
   Determining the Amount of
   MSW Recycled.
   B2
   Determining Waste
   Generation.
   B3
   Calculating Your MSW
   Recycling Rate.
State and local governments that have
not measured recycling previously.

State and local governments already
measuring recycling that want to switch
to the standard methodology.
                                     To compile recycling data and calculate the
                                     numerator of the equation, total MSW
                                     recycled.
To compile disposal data and calculate the
denominator of the equation, total MSW
generated.
                                     To calculate the standard recycling rate.
                                                                              Elements of Standardization

-------
 Using the Scope Tables
             Tables A and B should be used in conjunction with each other to help
             you understand what is included in the standard municipal solid waste
             (MSW) recycling rate and what is excluded. First, use Table A, Scope
   of Materials Included in the Standard  MSW Recycling Rate, to identify which
   materials are defined as MSW (Column 2, What Is MSW) and which  materials
   are defined as Other Solid Waste (Column 3, What Is Not MSW). The materi-
   als outlined in column 2, What Is MSW, are included in both the recycling and
   waste generation totals of the standard recycling rate.
    After you have determined which materials are included in the standard recy-
   cling rate, use Table B, Scope of Activities Included in the Standard MSW
   Recycling Rate, to further refine the scope based on whether the recycling of the
   materials defined in Table A meets the standard definition of recycling outlined in
   Table B. As an example, tires from automobiles are defined as MSW according to
   Table A, so the disposal of such tires may be included in your waste generation
   total. If these tires are retreaded, however, they may not be included in your
   recycling total since retreading is considered reuse rather than recycling according
   to Table B.
Section 2

-------
TABLE A.    SCOPE OF MATERIALS INCLUDED IN THE STANDARD NSW RECYCLING RATE
  MATERIAL1
  Food Scraps
  Glass Containers
Lead-Acid
Batteries

Tin/Steel Cans
and Other
Ferrous Metals

Aluminum Cans
and Other
Nonferrous Metals

Paper
  Plastic



  Textiles


  Tires


  Wood



  Yard Trimmings

  Other
                   WHAT IS NSW

                   Uneaten food and food preparation wastes from
                   residences and commercial establishments
                   (restaurants, supermarkets, and produce stands),
                   institutional sources (school cafeterias), and industrial
                   sources (employee lunchrooms).

                   Containers; packaging; and glass found in appliances,
                   furniture, and consumer electronics.
                     Batteries from automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles.
Tin-coated steel cans; strapping; and ferrous metals
from appliances (refrigerators), consumer electronics,
and furniture.

Aluminum cans; nonferrous metals from appliances,
furniture, and consumer electronics; and other
aluminum items (foil and lids from bimetal cans).

Old corrugated containers; old magazines; old
newspapers; office papers; telephone directories; and
other paper products including books, third-class
mail, commercial printing, paper towels, and paper
plates and cups.

Containers; packaging; bags and wraps; and plastics
found in appliances, furniture,  and sporting and
recreational equipment.

Fiber from apparel, furniture, linens (sheets and
towels), carpets3 and rugs, and footwear.

Tires from automobiles and trucks.
                   Pallets; crates; barrels; and wood found in furniture
                   and consumer electronics.
WHAT IS NOT NSW2

Food processing waste from agricultural and
industrial operations.
Glass from transportation equipment
(automobiles) and construction and
demolition (C&D) debris (windows).

Batteries from aircraft, military vehicles,
boats, and heavy-duty trucks and tractors.

Ferrous metals from C&D debris and
transportation equipment.
                                                                        Nonferrous metals from industrial
                                                                        applications and C&D debris (aluminum
                                                                        siding, wiring, and piping).

                                                                        Paper manufacturing waste (mill broke) and
                                                                        converting scrap not recovered for recycling.
                                                                      Plastics from transportation equipment.
                                                                      Textile waste generated during manufacturing
                                                                      processes (mill scrap) and C&D projects.

                                                                      Tires from motorcycles4, buses, and heavy
                                                                      farm and construction equipment.
Wood from C&D debris (lumber and tree
stumps5) and  industrial process waste
(shavings and  sawdust).
                   Grass, leaves, brush and branches, and tree stumps.5    Yard trimmings from C&D debris.
                   Household hazardous waste (HHW)6, oil filters,
                   fluorescent tubes7, mattresses, and consumer
                   electronics.
Abatement debris, agricultural waste,
combustion ash, C&D debris, industrial
process waste, medical waste, mining waste,
municipal sewage and industrial sludges,
natural disaster debris8, used motor oil, oil
and gas waste, and preconsumer waste.
                                                                                  Elements of Standardization

-------
TABLE A.    NOTES
1 Composite materials are categorized according to their main constituent;
 however, they can be designated as a separate category under Other
 MSW if they cannot be otherwise categorized.
2 These wastes are not considered MSW due to one or more of the follow-
 ing reasons: (1) they are not defined as MSW in EPA's Characterization of
 Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, (2) they have not been historical-
 ly handled and disposed of as MSW, (3) they are regulated  as hazardous
 waste, and/or (4) they were generated by a preconsumer source. These
 non-MSW wastes are referred to as Other Solid Waste in this guide  and
 on the survey forms and worksheets.
3 Carpets are categorized as Textiles when discarded in  MSW and are
 included in the rate calculation. When carpets are discarded in C&D
 debris, they are not considered MSW and are excluded from the rate
 calculation.
4 Tires from motorcycles are not defined as MSW because they historically
 have not been characterized as MSW in EPA's Characterization of
 Municipal Solid Waste in the United States.
5 Tree stumps are categorized as Yard Trimmings when discarded in  MSW
 and are included in the rate calculation. When tree stumps  are discarded
 in C&D debris, they are not considered MSW and are excluded from the
 rate calculation.
6HHW includes paints, stains, varnishes, solvents, pesticides,  and other
 materials or products containing volatile chemicals that catch fire, react,
 explode under certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or toxic.
 Specific examples include oil-based paint, antifreeze, household cleansers,
 and bug sprays. Used motor oil is excluded.
7 Fluorescent tubes are categorized as Other MSW when found in MSW
 and are included in the rate calculation. When fluorescent tubes are dis-
 carded in C&D debris, they are not considered  MSW  and are excluded
 from the rate calculation.
8 Natural disasters include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornados.
 Heavy storms are not considered natural disasters.
 Section 2

-------
TABLE B.    SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDED  IN THE  STANDARD NSW  RECYCLING RATE
  RECYCLABLE
  MATERIAL
  Food Scraps
  Glass
  Lead-Acid
  Batteries


  Metals



  Paper
  Plastic
  Textiles
  Tires
  Wood



  Yard
  Trimmings


  Other
WHAT COUNTS
AS RECYCLING

Composting of food scraps from grocery stores, restaurants,
cafeterias, lunchrooms, and private residences, and the use of
food scraps to feed farm animals.
WHAT DOES NOT COUNT
AS RECYCLING1

Backyard (onsite) composting of food scraps, and the use of
food items for human consumption (food banks).
Recycling of container and packaging glass (beverage and food    Recycling of glass found in transportation equipment and
containers), and recycling of glass found in furniture,
appliances, and consumer electronics into new glass products
such as containers, packaging, construction  materials
(aggregate), or fiberglass (insulation).

Recycling of lead-acid batteries found in cars, trucks, or
motorcycles into new plastic and lead products.


Recycling of aluminum and tin/steel cans, and recycling of
metals found in appliances and packaging into new metal
products.

Recycling of paper products (old newspapers and office
papers) into new paper products (tissue, paperboard,
hydromulch, animal bedding, or insulation materials).


Recycling of plastic products (containers, bags, and wraps), and
recycling of plastic from furniture and consumer electronics
into new plastic products (fiber fill and plastic lumber).


Recycling of textiles into wiper rags, and recycling of apparel
and carpet fiber2 into new products such as linen paper or
carpet padding.

Recycling of automobile and truck tires into new products
containing rubber (trash cans, storage containers, and
rubberized asphalt),  and use of whole tires for playground and
reef construction.

Recycling of wood products (pallets and crates)  into mulch,
compost, or similar uses.


Offsite recycling of grass, leaves, brush or branches3, and tree
stumps4 into compost, mulch, or similar uses; and
landspreading of leaves5.

Household hazardous waste (HHW)6, oil filters, fluorescent
tubes7, mattresses, circuit boards, and consumer electronics8.
construction and demolition (C&D) debris, recycling of
preconsumer glass or glass from industrial processes, and
reuse of refillable glass bottles.


Recycling of lead-acid batteries used in large equipment,
aircraft, military vehicles, boats, heavy-duty trucks and
tractors, and industrial applications.

Reuse of metal containers, packaging,  furniture, or consumer
electronics, and recycling of metals found in transportation
equipment (autobodies) and C&D debris.

Reuse of paper products, recycling of preconsumer or
manufacturing waste (trimmings, mill  broke, print overruns,
and overissue publications), and combustion of paper for
energy recovery.

Reuse of plastic products (storage containers and sporting
equipment), recycling of preconsumer plastic waste or
industrial process waste, and combustion of plastics for
energy recovery.

Reuse of apparel.
Recycling of tires from motorcycles, buses, and heavy farm
and construction equipment, retreading of tires, and
combustion of tire chips for energy recovery.


Repair and reuse of pallets, combustion of wood for energy
recovery, recycling of industrial process waste (wood shavings
or sawdust), and recycling of wood from C&D debris.

Mulching of tree stumps4 from C&D debris, backyard (onsite)
composting, grasscycling, landspreading of leaves5, and
combustion of yard trimmings for energy recovery.

Recycling of used oil, C&D debris (asphalt, concrete, and
natural disaster debris), transportation equipment
(autobodies), municipal sewage sludge, and agricultural,
industrial, mining, and food processing waste.
                                                                                                Elements of Standardization

-------
TABLE B.   NOTES
1 These activities are not considered recycling due to one or more of the
 following reasons: (1) they are not defined as recycling in EPA's
 Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, (2) they
 involve the recycling of materials that are not part of MSW, (3) they
 involve reuse or source reduction, and/or (4) they involve the recycling
 of preconsumer waste.
2 Carpeting is categorized as Textiles when discarded in MSW and is
 included in the rate calculation. When carpets are discarded in C&D
 debris, they are excluded from the rate calculation.
3 Includes woody material such as branches, brush, and whole trees such as
 Christmas trees.
4 Tree stumps are categorized as Yard Trimmings when discarded in MSW
 and are included in the rate calculation. When tree stumps are discarded
 in C&D debris, they are excluded from the rate calculation.
5 Landspreading of leaves counts as recycling if the manner of the
 application allows timely biodegradation of the organic plant material.
 Landspreading of leaves does not count as recycling if the manner of the
 application precludes the timely biodegradation of the organic plant
 material.
6HHW includes paints,  stains, varnishes, solvents, pesticides, antifreeze
 products, and other materials or products containing volatile chemicals
 that catch fire, react, explode under certain circumstances, or that are
 corrosive or toxic. Specific examples include oil-based paint,  antifreeze,
 household  cleansers, and bug sprays. Used motor oil is excluded.
7 Fluorescent tubes are categorized as Other MSW when discarded in
 MSW and  are included in the rate calculation. When fluorescent tubes
 are discarded  in C&D debris, they are excluded from the rate calculation.
8 Composite materials are categorized according to their main  constituent;
 however, they can be designated as a separate category under Other if
 they cannot be otherwise categorized.
 Section 2

-------
          Like any other integrated waste management pro-
          gram, a recycling  measurement system must be
          carefully planned, designed, and implemented.
The first step  in this process is to define program goals and
plan the basic elements of the system, including staff and
resources needed. The steps described in this section will
help you conduct  the  initial planning that is critical to the
success of your overall recycling measurement system.
Step One

Define  Your Program

Goals.
  State  and local  governments
measure recycling for a number of
reasons. One of the key reasons to
collect recycling and waste genera-
tion data is to assist with planning
and decision-making. Such data
can help solid waste managers:
• Set waste reduction or diversion
  goals and track progress toward
  achieving those goals.
• Identify trends in waste genera-
  tion and recycling that could
  impact local, state, or regional
  planning.
• Make  decisions or changes in
  collection crews, route sched-
  ules, and equipment needed  for
  waste pickups  and  recycling
  collection.
• Assess and choose among waste
  management options based  on
  the amount and type of waste
  and recyclable materials.

• Determine  the  viability  and
  capacity of existing solid waste
  recycling and disposal facilities,
  including transfer  stations and
  material   recovery   facilities
  (MRFs).

  Measurement can also assist
with market development by pro-
viding a clear understanding of the
supply and demand of different
recyclable materials  in a given
area. Specific information on the
type and amount  of recyclables
being generated within  a jurisdic-
tion might be useful in a variety of
ways, such as:

• Linking buyers and sellers of a
  particular material.

• Identifying the need  for added
  processing capacity at the local
  or regional level.

• Indicating that marketing efforts
  need to be increased for a partic-
  ular recyclable material.
 Planning  Steps
I.  Define your program
   goals.
2.  Determine if useful
   data are already being
   collected.
3.  Ascertain  your
   authority to survey
   and collect data.
4.  Determine who will
   collect recycling
   measurement data.
5.  Decide on reporting
   requirements.
6.  Establish program staff
   and budget.
7.  Establish a timeframe
   for system
   development.

-------
• Attracting an established recy-
  cling industry to locate a facility
  in the area.

• Assisting local entrepreneurs in
  starting  small-scale recycling
  businesses.

• Encouraging local manufactur-
  ers to use or to increase their use
  of locally  generated recycled
  materials in their products.

  Collecting  recycling measure-
ment data also  can help  officials
establish or expand community
collection programs. Reporting the
recycling progress being achieved
within a particular state or commu-
nity  can help raise public  aware-
ness  of  recycling,  encourage
participation in collection  efforts,
and  promote buy recycled cam-
paigns. The data might also sug-
gest a need to expand residential or
commercial collection programs,
particularly if there are large gener-
ators of certain recyclable materials
in the area.
Step  Two
         measuring recycling
         will determine the
  kind of information you
  collect. (See Section 4,
  step 3, for further
  details.)
Determine if Useful

Data Are Already

Being Collected.
  Once you have determined your
measurement  goals,  investigate
which  departments,  agencies,  or
organizations are  already  collect-
ing  data.  Sometimes  different
agencies  collect   similar  data.
Identifying and eliminating such
redundancies can  streamline your
recycling measurement efforts.
  For  instance, in states  with  a
bottle deposit law, the revenue or
tax department might have data on
the number of bottles  returned
for   redemption.  Similarly,  the
health department might have data
on  household hazardous waste
collections.
         other agencies,
    ^^departments, or
  organizations that are
  collecting data related  to
  recycling measurement
  and consider the
  possibility of combining
  efforts.
At one point in New
Hampshire, four entities
were maintaining informa-
tion needed for recycling
measurement—the  New
Hampshire Resource
Recovery
Association, the
Governor's
Recycling Program,
the Department of Environmental
Services (DES), and the University
of New Hampshire. Presently, the
Governor's Recycling Program com-
piles recycling data from municipali-
ties, while the DES  compiles disposal
data reported by permitted solid
waste facilities.
Step  Three

Ascertain Your

Authority to Survey

and Collect  Data.
  Since  compiling  data  often
involves   soliciting  information
from private  and public sources,
establishing  your  authority  to
engage in data collection might be
required. First, consult with the
appropriate counsel within  your
agency or examine statutes such as
solid waste and recycling laws to
determine if  special authority is
required. If so, work within  your
department, mayor's or governor's
office, or legislative body to  gain
the authority you need. Also, con-
sider contacting states or localities
already engaged in recycling  mea-
surement for  advice. Appendix E
lists the states and their recycling
agencies.
   In lieu of direct authority to col-
lect data, consider contacting  solid
waste and recycling facility permit-
ting offices. They might already be
 Section 3

-------
compiling some  of the data you
need. Local or regional solid waste
management plans are also a good
source of data. Another possibility
is to approach your state or local
recycling organization or  related
trade associations about taking on
recycling measurement.
Montgomery
County, Maryland,
receives data on ton-
nages recycled and dis-
posed of through  haulers, who
must submit this information every
6 months as a requirement of their
permits.
     have authority to
     collect the data you
  need, research the
  reporting requirements
  solid waste and recycling
  facilities already comply
  with to help you
  determine what types of
  data you can access
  through these means.
Step  Four

Determine Who Will
Collect Recycling
Measurement Data.
  There are two basic options for
collecting  data: 1)  go directly to
recycling and disposal facilities for
the  information, or 2) work with
the  appropriate local government
units to compile data and report
back. Often, a combination of these
approaches is used. While there is
no prescribed method for who col-
lects and compiles data, there are
definite advantages and disadvan-
tages to the different approaches,
which  are detailed below and in
Table 4.


Direct Surveying
   In some areas, the private sector
and  local  government agencies
report  directly to  the principal
measuring  agency.   Since   the
overall costs of recycling measure-
ment increase when many agencies
are engaged in data collection, it is
often  more cost-efficient for the
measuring agency  to  distribute
surveys and compile data directly.
This  approach  has the  added
advantage of  reducing the paper-
work  burden on recycling and
disposal facilities. When the mea-
suring agency surveys data sources
directly, this can result in more staff
costs,  but  it also reduces the bur-
den on local government agencies
and   streamlines the  reporting
process for the private sector.
Counties in Maryland
compile recycling data
and submit annual reports
to the Maryland Department of the
Environment. The work accom-
plished at the county level enables
the state to use less than a quarter
of a staff person's time per year to
distribute surveys to counties and
compile data.
 TABLE 4. DIRECT VS. INDIRECT SURVEYING
  MEASURING AGENCY
  SURVEYS FOR DATA

  ADVANTAGES

  Overall measurement costs are lower.

  Streamlines reporting process for
  private sector.
  Reduces burden on local
  governments.
LOCAL AGENCIES SURVEY AND
REPORT BACK

DISADVANTAGES

Overall measurement costs are higher.

Increases burden on local governments.
Reporting process for private sector
is less streamlined.
                                    DISADVANTAGES

                                    Measuring agency may incur
                                    additional staff costs.
                                  ADVANTAGES

                                  Local agencies are more familiar with
                                  waste management infrastructure.
                                                                                         Planning

-------
Indirect Surveying
   City or county governments can
survey data sources and report the
data to the principal measuring
agency.  Local  governments  often
are in the best position to collect
data directly since they are  more
familiar with how waste flows  in
their area and who the key players
are.  The  disadvantages  of this
approach are that the overall cost
of recycling measurement goes up
and data collection may overbur-
den  local governments. In  addi-
tion, survey respondents (recycling
and disposal facilities) must deal
with many requests for  similar
information from every jurisdiction
they service. This problem, howev-
er, can be alleviated somewhat by
using standard survey forms and
reporting deadlines.

Other Options
   In addition to the two approach-
es discussed above, many  other
options for data  collection  exist.
For example, the measuring agency
can collect some data directly, such
as waste  disposal facility  data,
while local governments could sur-
vey waste haulers  for information
on waste exports. Or, the measur-
ing agency can compile those data
most easily obtained within their
agency, such as information on tire
and lead-acid battery recycling (in
the case  of states), and complete
this portion of the survey form for
the local governments. The  mea-
suring agency also could distribute
survey  forms  to  processors on
behalf of local governments. In this
case, respondents can be asked  to
fill  out a  separate form for each
jurisdiction they  service.   This
approach is useful when local-level
recycling  rates are  also being
sought. Local  governments can
also  collect and analyze data on
            [ermine \
          agencies will
          collect data based
  on available resources,
  timing, streamlining, and
  your knowledge of the
  waste  management
  infrastructure.
their own if their state program is
new or undeveloped.


Step  Five

Decide on  Reporting
Requirements.
  The reporting  requirements  of
your recycling measurement pro-
gram can be voluntary or mandato-
ry. Legislation often dictates what
your reporting requirements will
be.  If you can choose the kind  of
program  to implement, available
resources will be a chief considera-
tion, but other issues  must  be
weighed  as well (see Table 5  on
page 19).
  Mandatory reporting is general-
ly less expensive and usually leads
to a higher response rate, but can
result in less  accurate  data and
fewer  opportunities  to interact
with  the recycling community.
Voluntary reporting, on the other
hand, requires additional staff and
resources, but generally provides
benefits beyond simple data collec-
tion such as chances to build posi-
tive relationships  with  survey
respondents.
  The decision to adopt a volun-
tary or mandatory program can
also be affected by resource avail-
ability. States  and localities with
mandatory indirect surveying and
reporting have the lowest program
implementation costs (at the mea-
suring agency level). This approach
is beneficial for agencies with min-
imal resources for recycling mea-
surement. The local governments,
however, shoulder high implemen-
tation costs because they bear the
burden of data collection.
  Agencies with voluntary indi-
rect data collection incur relatively
high costs because such programs
require  extensive follow-up.  The
cost burden to local governments,
however,   is  lower  than  with
mandatory data collection because
they can gather whatever data their
resources allow. If you institute a
voluntary  program  and contact
data sources directly, costs can vary
depending  on  the number of
reporting entities. In this approach,
local governments bear negligible
costs.
Officials in two New York coun-
ties have adopted
different reporting
systems but have
similar
data col-
lection success. Monroe County,
with a mandatory reporting sys-
tem, enjoys a high response rate
but has only limited time to devel-
op close working relationships with
the respondents or  monitor the
accuracy of the information provid-
ed. Onondaga County, with a
voluntary reporting system, has a
business recycling specialist who is
able to track businesses with high
recycling rates, build relationships
with them, and encourage them to
report.

-------
TABLE 5. REPORTING OPTIONS AND TYPICAL COST AND RESPONSE IMPLICATIONS
  TYPE OF
  DATA SURVEYING AND
  COLLECTION
  Direct

  Direct

  Indirect

  Indirect
MANDATORY (M)
      OR
VOLUNTARY (V)
     (M)


     (V)

     (M)


     (V)
       COST
+ = MORE EXPENSIVE
 - = LESS EXPENSIVE
Measuring Agency (MA)
Local Governments (LG)
    + or - (MA)
      ~(LG)
     - (MA)
      + (LG)
     + (MA)
      -(LG)
RESPONSE RATE
  H = HIGHER
  L = LOWER
     H


     L


     H


     L
Step  Six

Establish Program

Staff and  Budget.
  Recycling measurement  takes
time and resources. Costs  are
incurred during startup (planning
and design) and implementation
(operation).
  Startup costs include the cost of
setting up the data collection sys-
tem, such as  developing survey
forms and determining  informa-
tion sources, public relations and
outreach, and staff training. Once
up and running,  the biggest cost
element is staff time to operate and
maintain the program. Other costs,
such as telephone, postage,  print-
ing, and travel costs, are minimal
in comparison.
  Depending on the size and com-
plexity  of your  program, expect
that at least one person will be ded-
icated (half to  full  time) to this
effort for at least part of the year.
       f Stai
       a problem, consider
       making reporting
     mandatory to reduce
     the  time required for
     developing and
     maintaining public and
     private sector
     relationships.
   Step Seven

   Establish a Timeframe
   for System
   Development.
     While this guide will help you
   get  started, organize your  pro-
   gram, and make key decisions,
   adequate startup time is still need-
   ed to  obtain input and design a
   program that works best for you.
                It is important to establish a
              timeline for your program during
              the  planning phase. If you have
              never measured recycling, allow 1
              year to get the program up and
              running.  This time is  needed  to
              define responsibilities, do the nec-
              essary legwork, and solicit feed-
              back from appropriate sources.

                Simply switching to the stan-
              dard approach will take less time,
              but you should plan for at least 3 to
              6 months to make the necessary
              adjustments and promote the new
              program. You may find, for exam-
              ple, that you want to modify your
              survey forms to collect data on
               Oregon con-
               vened a work-
               group to advise
               program devel-
               opment in
               January. To
               work out the details, the group
               met every 4 weeks at the start of
               the project and then every 6 to 8
               weeks toward the end of the pro-
               ject. Surveys were ready and dis-
               tributed in December.
                                                                                      Planning

-------
  recyclable materials counted in the
  MSW recycling rate but excluded
  from your own. On the other hand,
  if you decide to continue with your
  existing approach, it could require
  as little as  1 day to make adjust-
  ments  and recalculate  your  recy-
  cling rate according to the standard
  method.
     The sample timeline in  Table 6
  on page 21 illustrates  the amount
  of time needed to complete the
  planning, design, and implementa-
  tion phases of a typical recycling
  measurement  system.  While the
  exact steps and allotted times will
  vary  from one  jurisdiction to
another, the timeline  serves as a
guide to help you establish a time-
frame of your own.

  The sample  timeline suggests
distributing  survey  forms   on
January 15 and asking that they be
returned  by April 15. While not
required, adhering to these dates
will help to improve the efficiency
with  which  data are  collected
across  the  United States.  Survey
respondents servicing more than
one jurisdiction will become accus-
tomed to when they receive survey
forms  and when they need to
return them.
        NOW at
      •  for planning and
       ^designing a new
recycling measurement
system before sending out
survey forms.
Section 3

-------
TABLE 6. RECYCLING MEASUREMENT TIMELINE
PLANNING:
                                                                      Month
                                                                         12
                                                                      January 15
  15
April 15
  18
July 15
Define your program goals.
Determine if useful data are already
being collected.
Ascertain your authority to survey and
collect data.
Determine who will collect recycling
measurement data.
Decide on reporting requirements.
Establish program staff and budget.
Establish a timeframe for system
development.
DESIGN:
Learn about your terrain.
Solicit input into the system design.
Determine what type of information is
needed.
Determine whom to survey.
Address confidentiality guarantees.
Determine how to manage and analyze
the information.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Institute measures to increase your
survey response rate.
Educate survey respondents.
Distribute survey forms.
Conduct followup.
Compile data.
Verify and double-check data.
Calculate an MSW recycling rate.
Share information.

-------
           This section provides an overview of the recycling
           measurement design process. Designing an effec-
           tive recycling measurement system entails learning
about how MSW and recyclables flow through your region in
order to conduct an effective survey. At this stage of the
process, you will also make critical decisions about the type
of data to compile, where to acquire these data, and how to
manage the information collected.
Step One

Learn About Your

Terrain.
  The more you know about the
waste management infrastructure
in your state or locality, the easier it
will be to design a recycling mea-
surement program that meets your
specific  needs. MSW and  recy-
clables can flow in many directions
through  a  region. The more com-
plicated  the flow, the greater the
risk that materials will be counted
more than once in your survey
(double counting) or missed entire-
ly (leakage).  These risks can be
avoided by developing a thorough
understanding of the major players
that handle MSW and recyclables
in your  area.  Many  agencies
develop a database of the key play-
ers  in solid  waste management
and  recycling  in  their area to
assist in measuring efforts. At a
minimum,  make a list of the key
players  detailed  in  Table  7 on
page 24.

  Many information sources can
help you better understand the
waste management infrastructure
in your state or locality and locate
key players. These include:

• Trade associations. National recy-
  cling and solid waste manage-
  ment  associations  can provide
  details on their state and local
  chapters. These chapters usually
  offer  technical assistance and
  resources that can help you bet-
  ter understand your terrain.
  They  can also identify upcom-
  ing conferences that might pro-
  vide networking opportunities
  for identifying key players and
  soliciting information.
I.  Learn about your
   terrain.
2.  Solicit input into the
   system design.
3.  Determine what type
   of information is
   needed.
4.  Determine whom  to
   survey.
5.  Address confidentiality
   guarantees.
6.  Determine how to
   manage and analyze
   the information.

-------
TABLE 7.   IDENTIFYING THE KEY PLAYERS IN WASTE MANAGEMENT IN YOUR STATE OR LOCALITY
  RECYCLING
     Collectors and haulers that handle materials in
     the area.
     Large generators that self-haul their recyclables
     (government facilities, corporate office complexes,
     and grocery stores).
     Drop-off and buy-back centers.
     Processors and material recovery facilities.
     Recycling mills and end users.
                NSW DISPOSAL
                  Any additional collectors and haulers, not already
                  identified, that handle MSW.
                  Transfer stations.
                  Disposal facilities (landfills, waste-to-energy facilities, and
                  incinerators).
  Manufacturers of products contain-
  ing recycled materials. Recycling
  facilities  are  good  sources of
  information on the overall sup-
  ply and demand of recyclable
  materials  in  your area.  The
  information  they provide  can
  help you identify major genera-
  tors, collectors, and processors.
  Other  government   agencies,
  departments, or permitting agen-
  cies. As mentioned earlier, differ-
  ent government agencies might
  already be involved  in some
  kind of data collection effort that
  could be  useful to recycling
  measurement.    Additionally,
  since waste  haulers and recy-
  cling  businesses  are   often
  licensed at the local level,  you
  might contact the bigger cities or
  counties in your area for infor-
  mation on key players.
  Nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit
  organizations operating drop-off
  centers and collection programs
  often  have   many  years  of
  experience in recycling. They can
  be a good  source of information
  about the waste management
  infrastructure in your area.
•  Standard Industrial  Classification
   (SIC) Codes. You  can use  SIC
   codes to  quickly  search  for
   major players in the waste  and
   recycling industries. The codes
   will  help  you  locate   waste
   haulers, recycling companies,
   manufacturers, and large gener-
   ators. Use the codes for super-
   markets, retail stores, and other
   types of businesses to find large
   generators in the area.
   Each individual  or company
identified  is a potential source of
assistance  as  you develop your
recycling  measurement  system.
Most importantly, each is a possi-
ble data source once you begin
implementing your measurement
system.
                    Onondaga
                    County,
                    New York,
                  ._  officials con-
                    duct site vis-
its to gather information about
local generators and recycling busi-
nesses. The county has found that
the visits provide information on
recycling practices that is not readi-
ly available through other methods.
 Working With
 Chambers of
 Commerce
Local governments might find
an excellent source of
information in their chambers
of commerce. Chambers can
often help identify recycling
businesses, waste management
companies, and manufacturers.
They might also have
information about the types of
materials local recyclers handle
and the services they provide.
Additionally, speaking at
chamber meetings or providing
articles for chamber
newsletters can be an excellent
way of providing a large
segment of the affected
business community with
useful recycling information.
 Section 4

-------
           MSW and
           recyclable
  materials are collected,
  processed, consolidated,
  and transported in your
  region will help you design
  an effective recycling
  measurement program.
Step  Two

Solicit  Input Into the
Design of Your System.
  To gain support for your system,
solicit input from key stakeholders.
This can be accomplished through
a formal workgroup or advisory
council comprised of potential sur-
vey respondents and other affected
parties.  Including  government
agency, nonprofit  organization,
recycling  industry,  and waste
industry representatives  in  the
decision-making process will foster
a  cooperative   spirit and  the
exchange of  ideas. Additionally,
providing potential respondents
with a sense  of ownership in the
reporting process might result in a
higher response rate.
        relationships with
       • potential
  respondents before you
  begin surveying by
  forming workgroups or
  advisory councils.
Step  Three

Determine What
Type  of Information
Is Needed.
  Your information needs for mea-
suring recycling include data relat-
ed  to the  amount  of material
recycled and disposed of in your
state or locality, plus any informa-
tion  necessary  for meeting your
specific  measurement  goals.  In
order to perform the recycling rate
calculation (see page 5 for the stan-
dard equation), you will first need
data on MSW generation and recy-
cling for the measurement year, as
listed in Table 8 on page 26. MSW
generation is equal to  the total
amount of MSW recycled plus the
total amount of MSW disposed of,
in tons.
  In addition to these data, you
also will need the following infor-
mation from survey respondents:

• Company  or  agency  name,
  address, phone number, and
  contact person.

• Type of company  or agency,
  such as hauler, processor, manu-
  facturer, or municipality.

• Whether   conversion  factors
  were used.

• Whether data were based  on
  estimates.

  The  sample survey forms pro-
vided in Appendix C are designed
to ensure that you obtain the infor-
mation required to  calculate the
standard MSW recycling rate. The
forms also allow for the collection
of  ancillary data related to other
solid wastes (e.g., C&D debris or
used oil) for those wishing to track
The
Maryland
Department of the
Environment (DOE)
formed a workgroup that
met for 18 months to streamline
recycling measurement reporting
procedures. Each county is respon-
sible for gathering recycling mea-
surement data. Previously, each
sent surveys to the recycling
processors operating within their
county. Because the processors
received multiple information
requests,  they were less likely to
adequately complete each request.
As a result, the state agreed to dis-
tribute a single survey to every
processor. In addition, the state
requested that processors supply
each county with the necessary
information. The new procedure
has increased the response rate.
DOE sends the survey forms to all
counties on January 1  and to
processors on January 15. The
counties must report by April 1,
while processors must report by
February 15.
Florida
formed a technical
advisory committee com-
prised of state and  local
officials and recycling indus-
try representatives. One of
the main issues the committee
addressed was confidentiality. The
committee decided that processors
would report directly to the state,
and their data would be exempted
from the state's Freedom of
Information Act Florida's recycling
legislation was amended to incorpo-
rate these provisions. (See Appendix
F for an excerpt of this legislation.)

-------
this  information. Some  states  or
localities, for example, might desire
additional information to meet leg-
islative  requirements, to measure
other performance criteria, or for
other purposes. Be aware, howev-
er, that collecting and  compiling
additional information requires
more time and resources. Lengthy
survey forms  also can  intimidate
respondents and, in  some cases,
affect their willingness  to partici-
pate in the effort.

  Avoid the tendency to request
more information than you actual-
ly need. For example, if you intend
to use data for market develop-
ment purposes,  information on
specific  commodities,   such  as
newspaper, steel cans, and plastic
bottles,  is  essential. If,  however,
you  are tracking your progress
toward mandated recycling goals,
then collecting overall MSW and
recycling tonnages might be suffi-
cient. Table 9 on page 28 provides
some examples  of data require-
ments based on a number of differ-
ent program goals and purposes.
The table  illustrates the important
link  between your recycling mea-
surement  goals and the types  of
data that must be collected in order
to meet those goals. To help define
your data needs, consider  con-
structing a similar table based on
your identified goals.
Minnesota uses
data collected annual-
ly from counties to
evaluate progress
toward recycling
goals, to assess the availability of
recycling opportunities for all state
residents, and to promote buy
recycled programs. For this reason,
the state collects data on individual
recyclable commodities at the
county level.
Both the New Jersey
and Pennsylvania
Departments of
Environmental Protection
use total recycling  ton-
nages, reported annually
by municipalities, to calculate the
annual disbursement of recycling
grants. Municipalities receive a
                 distribution
                 from this fund
                 for every ton
                 of material
                 recycled.
         and needs will help
         determine the type
  of information you
  request.
Step Four:

Determine  Whom to

Survey.
   Once you know your terrain and
the types of data you need, you can
begin designing the actual survey.
At this  point you have to decide
whom to survey. Possible survey
respondents include the following
chain of material handlers:
•  Generators.
•  MSW and recyclables haulers.
•  MRFs, processors,  recycling
   plants.
•  Transfer stations.
•  Disposal facilities.
   Illustration 1 depicts the typical
process by which  recyclables move
from  the point of generation  to
final  remanufacturing. While the
process often differs by commodity
and local situation, there are essen-
tially  three main steps—collection,
processing,  and remanufacturing.
First,  recyclable materials are gen-
erated by a  consumer or business
(generator) and then collected by a
private hauler or government enti-
ty. Next, the materials are  trans-
ported  by  the  collector  to   a
processing facility, such as a MRF
or paper processor. At the  process-
ing facility, the recyclables  are sort-
ed, cleaned  of  contaminants, and
TABLE 8. DATA NEEDED TO CALCULATE AN OVERALL RECYCLING RATE
  NSW
     Tonnage of MSW disposed of in your jurisdiction.
     Tonnage of MSW exported from your jurisdiction.
     Tonnage of MSW imported into your jurisdiction.
                 RECYCLABLES
                 • Total tonnage of materials recovered from MSW in
                    your jurisdiction.
                    Tonnage of glass, metals, paper, plastics, yard
                    trimmings, textiles, and wood recovered from the
                    MSW stream in your jurisdiction.
 Section 4

-------
ILLUSTRATION I. THE RECYCLING CHAIN
  Collection
  Processing
  Remanufacturing
         /fci
          OQ on Oo
          oo do D5
            Glass
                                 -a
\ JL ^

  >r
                    \
                                 Paper

-------
TABLE 9. DATA COLLECTION NEEDS
   PURPOSE OF DATA
   COLLECTION
   Market
   development
DATA
REQUIREMENTS
Commodity-specific data for recyclable
materials1.
Total tonnage by commodity for state or
local recyclables.
   Evaluate and reward
   state or local
   recycling programs.
Data on broad categories of recyclable
materials2.
Total tonnage for state or local recyclables.
Total tonnage of MSW disposed of.
   Set or meet recycling     Total tonnage for state or local recyclables.
   goals.
   Make changes in
   collection services.
   Assess future landfill
   and waste-to-energy
   capacity.
Total tonnage for state or local recyclables
and MSW disposed of.
Total tonnage for state or local recyclables.
Total tonnage of MSW disposed of.
DATA CAN BE
USED TO...
Identify gaps  in market availability and
strength.
Attract new processors and end  users.
Encourage manufacturers to utilize recyclable
commodities in their production  processes.
Link processors and end users.
Support buy  recycled campaigns.
Determine if state or local governments are
in compliance with recycling laws.
Help allocate grants and/or recognize
residents, businesses, or industries that
promote recycling.

Track progress.
Identify localities that might need assistance
in meeting goals.
Determine best management strategies.

Predict changes and trends in the amount of
waste and recyclables generated.
1 Commodity-specific data refers to information on specific products in the waste stream (old newspaper), or specific resins or grades (HOPE).
2Broad categories data refers to general classifications of recyclables (paper, plastic, glass, metals).
prepared for final recycling. Some
commodities may require  addi-
tional processing  beyond sorting
and decontamination.  Glass and
plastic, for example, are often sent
to glass beneficiation plants and
plastics reclaimers,  respectively,
where  they  are  processed into
mill-ready forms.  After all neces-
sary processing has been  complet-
ed, recyclables are made into new
products at a recycling  plant  or
other facility, such as  a  compost
facility or animal bedding plant.
               MSW discarded in dumpsters or
            left at the curb by residents is usu-
            ally picked up by a public or pri-
            vate  MSW hauler.  Typically, the
            waste is then  transported  to a
            transfer  station to be consolidated
            with other waste before being sent
            to a disposal facility, such as a land-
            fill or incinerator.  In  other cases,
            waste moves  directly from the col-
            lection point to a disposal facility.
               Sometimes MSW is exported by
            waste haulers and transfer stations
            to  facilities   in  a  neighboring
              -  potential  respondents
                about whom to
          survey can help determine
          from whom you are likely
          to get the best response
          and most  accurate data.

-------
jurisdiction. In the same way, land-
fills  and  other  disposal  facilities
often accept MSW imported from
other states or localities.
   Determining  whom to survey
will depend on:
•  Program goals and your specific
   data needs.
•  Resources available for recy-
   cling measurement.
•  Legislative authority to survey
   and collect data.
•  Likely  accuracy of  information
   provided.
•  Existing reporting requirements
   for haulers, processors, and end
   users.
•  Type and number of recycling
   operations.
     • Type  and number of disposal
       facilities.
       The approach presented in this
     guide is designed  to  streamline
     data collection, obtain the best pos-
     sible  data,  and  minimize  the
     chances  of   double   counting.
     Basically, this  system approaches
     data collection in two ways. First, it
     involves the collection of recycling
     data separately from MSW dispos-
     al data. Second, residential recy-
     cling data are obtained differently
     than commercial recycling data.
       For recycling data, it is most effi-
     cient to collect information at only
     one point in the chain. The specific
     point in the chain differs for resi-
     dential and commercial recycling
     data. For residential recyclables,
     data is best acquired at the point of
     collection (the haulers). For com-
     mercial recyclables, data is best col-
lected at the point where materials
are processed (the processors). By
obtaining data from one point in
the recycling chain, state and local
agencies will minimize the number
of  survey respondents and the
possibility for  double  counting
materials.
   For  MSW disposal  data, infor-
mation is collected from disposal
facilities,  transfer  stations,  and
waste haulers. While disposal facil-
ities comprise the primary source
of data, transfer stations and waste
haulers also can supply important
information  about  MSW imports
and exports.
   An  overview  of the  approach
suggested for each  type  of data is
provided in  Table 10. A more
detailed discussion of these  pre-
ferred approaches follows.
TABLE  10. OVERVIEW OF PREFERRED APPROACHES FOR DATA
COLLECTION
   Material
   Residential Recycling Data
   Various recyclables.
   Commercial Recycling Data
   Paper.
   Glass.
   Aluminum cans.
   Plastic.
   Food scraps and yard trimmings.
   Miscellaneous items.
   Waste Disposal Data
   MSW.
Preferred Surveying Approach


Collectors.


Processors.
Beneficiation plants.
Nonprofits and buy-back centers.
Large generators.
Composting facilities.
Large generators.
Waste disposal facilities, transfer stations,
and waste haulers.
     f yo.
     more than one point in
     the  chain, ask data
  sources for information
  about  only the general
  geographic origin and
  destination of the
  materials they manage to
  help avoid double
  counting.

-------
Recycling  Data

Residential
  Municipally operated  or  con-
tracted programs generally collect
residential  recyclables. Such  pro-
grams include  curbside  and/or
drop-off collections.  These  pro-
grams have grown rapidly over the
past  decade,  and  accurate  data
about the types and quantities of
materials collected often are readi-
ly available. For this reason,  resi-
dential  recycling  data are  best
obtained from the point of collec-
tion. In addition, collectors of recy-
clables   know   better   where
materials originated than proces-
sors or end users.

Residues
  Not  all  materials  recovered
through residential collection pro-
grams are recycled into new prod-
ucts. Some materials are lost when
the  materials are prepared  for mar-
ket. These residues are difficult to
account for and can vary in amount
depending on  the specific collec-
tion and processing methods used.
Therefore,  the  standardized mea-
surement  methodology does  not
require  that  these residues be
tracked.  While  accounting  for
residues results in  more  accurate
data,  the time  and resource com-
mitment   necessary   to  track
residues for all commodities  may
not be warranted.

Leakage
  Some residential recyclables can
escape municipal  collection  pro-
grams.  For  example,  nonprofit
groups and private recyclers some-
times operate  drop-off locations,
buy-back  centers, and  collection
routes outside  of  municipal  pro-
grams. Thus, materials go directly
to the processor or end users with-
out ever entering a municipal col-
lection  system.  Being aware  of
community recycling activities will
assist agencies in accounting for
residential  recyclables collected
outside of the municipal system.
  Examples of recyclables that can
escape municipal collection pro-
grams, and thereby go undetected
by data collection efforts, include:
• Newspaper collected by  non-
  profit groups  during periodic
  fundraising drives.
• Beverage  containers returned to
  redemption centers in  states
  with deposit legislation (exclud-
  ing refillable containers).
• Telephone directories collected
  during special drives often orga-
  nized by telephone companies
  and nonprofit organizations.
• Paint collected at household haz-
  ardous waste sites for recycling.
   Obtaining
   Residential
   Recycling Data
  1.  Obtain data on municipal
     programs from cities or
     counties.
  2.  Contact nonprofit and
     private recyclers for
     additional data.
  3.  Obtain data as close to the
     point of collection as
     possible to ensure
     accuracy.
  4.  Cross-check collection
     figures with data from
     processing facilities and end
     users, if necessary.
Commercial
  Materials   from   commercial
sources constitute a significant por-
tion of the  recycling stream.  For
this reason, it is important to obtain
commercial data to get an accurate
recycling rate. Materials generated
by office buildings, wholesale and
retail establishments, schools,  air-
ports,  and other institutions  are
often not handled by local govern-
ments and do not commonly travel
through  multimaterial operations
such  as MRFs.  Instead,  paper,
glass, aluminum cans, and other
items from commercial sources are
generally handled, processed, and
marketed separately  from residen-
tial  recyclables. Because  every
surveyed material  travels  along
a different  path from  collection
point to final use,  designing  an
approach specific to  each material
is recommended.
  In   general,   the   preferred
approach for obtaining data  on
commercial recyclables is to survey
at the processing point.  If you are
unable to obtain accurate data from
the processors in your area, howev-
er, consider surveying large gener-
ators  of recyclables  or recycling
plants. Examples of  large genera-
tors include government facilities,
corporate office complexes, grocery
stores, and warehouse operations.
Because  these facilities recycle a
large  quantity of materials, they
can be  excellent sources of com-
mercial recycling data. In addition,
some large  generators may have
their own processing capabilities,
which should not be overlooked
when you are locating the proces-
sors in your area.
  An  alternative to surveying
processors is to survey recycling
plants or other end users.  Because
recycling  plants  are  generally
 Section 4

-------
larger than processors and service
a wider area, there will be fewer
plants  than processors  to  survey.
However, end users might not be
able to determine the place of ori-
gin of the materials they purchase.
Also, if you are obtaining commer-
cial data from recycling plants, it is
important not to include data from
residential  recycling  programs.
Survey Form 3, for end users of
recyclables, allows residential and
commercial data to  be reported
separately for this reason.
   Approaches   for   gathering
commercial  data  for  the  most
commonly collected categories of
recyclables are  described  on the
following pages.

Aluminum Cans
   Survey   nonprofit  recycling
facilities  and  buy-back  centers.
Restaurants, bars,  airports,  and
large facilities  such as shopping
malls generate large quantities of
aluminum cans, most of which are
taken to nonprofit recycling facili-
ties or buy-back centers.
   If you are unable to obtain data
from these facilities, contact alu-
minum companies  directly. These
companies are often involved with
the  collection,  processing,  ship-
ping, and remanufacture  of  alu-
minum cans; they also  frequently
lease compaction equipment and
trailers to  recycling  programs.
Aluminum companies  can assist
with identifying large  generators
of aluminum cans in your area.

Food  Scraps and Yard
Trimmings
   Survey  composting facilities.
The majority of food  and  yard
waste collected for recycling is sent
to public or private composting
facilities. Many restaurants, super-
markets, and institutions generate
food scraps. Recycled food scraps
include both food scraps used as
pig feed, as well as leftover food
composted  by  prisons,  schools,
and other facilities.

   Many institutions and business-
es that maintain their lawns gener-
ate  yard  trimmings,  including
grass,  leaves, and  tree branches.
Yard trimmings that are composted
or mulched off site  should  be
included in your data. Yard  trim-
mings processed through backyard
composting, grasscycling, or  other
onsite efforts, however, should not,
as these  are considered  source
reduction activities.

   Contact state or local permitting
offices  to  help identify permitted
composting facilities that accept
food scraps and yard trimmings
from residential or commercial
sources. The permit requirements
of some localities might mandate
that  the facilities report the ton-
nage of material processed.  Since
not all composting facilities are
permitted, identifying all the facili-
ties that process food scraps and
yard trimmings might take  addi-
tional research. Also, a few types of
yard trimmings, namely tree  trim-
mings, may be sent to wood waste
processing facilities. These  facili-
ties should be contacted for  data,
as wood waste recycling can  be
included  in the recycling  rate.
Remember,  however,  to include
only wood  from trimmings, pal-
lets,  and other  wood packaging,
like crates. Tree stumps are includ-
ed only if they are recovered from
MSW;  stumps from  C&D projects
are excluded.
Glass
   Survey  beneficiation  plants.
These large glass processing facili-
ties convert street glass  into mill-
ready cullet and are the primary
markets for glass in many regions.
These  processing facilities often
have  commercial glass receipts
detailing tonnages received  from
particular  localities. Restaurants
and  bars,  institutions  (schools),
and  large  facilities  (airports  and
shopping malls) all generate glass
recyclables that  may be sent to
these processing facilities.
   If no beneficiation plants exist in
your area, you can collect data from
a variety of other sources. In some
areas, municipalities  pick up glass
from commercial establishments as
part of their  residential recycling
collection program. In other areas,
nonprofit recycling  organizations
collect glass.  Determine  who col-
lects commercial glass in your area
and survey these individuals using
Survey Form 1. Remember  that
only container glass and glass from
packaging,  furniture,  consumer
electronics, and  appliances can be
counted in  the recycling rate calcu-
lation. Glass  from transportation
equipment and C&D projects is
excluded.
   If you are unable to obtain accu-
rate data at the collection or  pro-
cessing  point,   survey   large
generators, recycled  glass plants,
or appropriate trade associations.
Remember, the  further down the
recycling chain you survey  (the
closer to end use) the more difficult
it will be to determine where the
materials  originated  and  to
account for imports or exports.
   Again,  make certain not to
include glass from residential recy-
cling programs with the commer-
cial glass.

-------
Paper
   Survey paper processors. Because
processors handle paper at its last
stage before leaving  a particular
jurisdiction,  they  usually have
accurate information about which
county  or municipality generated
the paper and can identify what
paper    has   been    imported.
Processors collect paper from gov-
ernment offices,  schools,  office
buildings, and a wide variety of
other institutions. The processors
clean and bale these materials, then
transport them to  local recycling
plants or export them.
   Keep in mind that only postcon-
sumer  waste paper   is counted
in  the  MSW  recycling  rate.
Preconsumer paper, such as manu-
facturing and converting waste
and overissues of newspapers and
magazines,  is not counted (see
Table B  on page  13). Also,  only
paper that was originally generat-
ed in your jurisdiction is counted.
Ask processors  to  exclude  all
imports  of  paper  received from
outside  your area. Use   Survey
Form 2, for processors of recy-
clables,  which  requests that  only
data on materials generated within
a particular jurisdiction be reported.

Plastics
   Survey large  generators.  The
majority of commercial plastics recy-
cling is  conducted by businesses
with multiple locations who gener-
ate large quantities of  a particular
plastic item and self-haul directly to
processors or end users. Examples of
plastic items commonly recycled by
commercial sources include stretch
wrap, grocery sacks, and dry clean-
ing bags. Stretch wrap is the materi-
al used by product manufacturers
and  distributors to bind shipping
cartons to pallets. Retail store distri-
bution centers and  manufacturing
plants  generate large amounts of
stretch wrap and should be contact-
ed  for  information on recycling
efforts. For information  on plastic
bag  recycling,  contact  large  dry
cleaners and grocery store chains.
  If you are unable to obtain accu-
rate  data  from large generators,
survey plastics reclaimers or  end
users.  Trade associations  may be
able to help you locate  reclaimers
and end users in your area.

Other Miscellaneous Items
  Survey  large  generators.  As
recycling   technology  develops,
more and more items are recovered
from  MSW and  developed  into
new products. Many  companies
have  taken the  lead  and  are
expanding  their  recycling  pro-
grams to  include such items as
computer  parts, microfilm,  poly-
styrene,   and  other   materials.
Examples  include  government
agencies (office products), univer-
sities and schools (polystyrene  and
computers),  and  manufacturing
plants (pallets).  While some of
these materials may be a small per-
centage  of  the  waste  stream,
including  them will increase  the
accuracy of your recycling rate  and
help remind recycling officials  that
these materials can be part of a new
or expanded recycling program.
       'can help you account
  for additional sources of
  commercial recycling data.
Waste Disposal  Data
  In order to determine total MSW
generation for  the recycling rate
calculation, data are needed on the
amount of MSW  disposed  of in
your  jurisdiction.  Because  each
community's  waste  stream  is
different, surveying local disposal
facilities can ensure accurate waste
disposal data and help you account
for imports of waste. Disposal facil-
ities include private and public
landfills, waste-to-energy facilities,
and  incinerators.  It is  critical to
include only MSW.
  In addition, be careful to account
for  imports and exports of waste,
and  exclude from the data any
natural disaster materials and waste
defined as Other Solid Waste. (See
the  Glossary in Appendix  A for
complete definitions.)
  Disposal  facilities  are  good
sources of information on  MSW
imports, while  transfer  stations
and haulers can supply data on the
amount of MSW  exported  from
your jurisdiction. Disposal facilities
and transfer stations will have an
easier time differentiating between
MSW  and   other  solid   waste
because they have the capability to
inspect  each incoming load and
determine how much of the waste
is MSW. On the other hand, waste
haulers can estimate the percentage
of MSW on the basis of customer
lists. These points are important to
keep in mind as you decide whom
to survey.

Other Sources of  NSW
Disposal Data
  Disposal facilities,  transfer sta-
tions, and waste haulers are the main
sources of waste disposal data, but
they are not the only sources. Keep in

-------
mind that waste disposal data can be
obtained  from   two  additional
sources: (1) processing facilities that
are preparing  recovered materials,
such as tires or wood waste, for fuel
markets, and  (2)  large generators
that dispose of waste on site or self-
haul waste to facilities out of your
jurisdiction. While they might not
significantly impact your  recycling
rate, knowing the extent of these
activities will help you in your plan-
ning efforts.

In several states and locali-
ties, disposal facilities are
required to report tonnage
information in order
to hold a permit. In
Minnesota,
Texas, Ohio, and
New York, for exam-
ple, disposal facilities
report the quantity of
waste handled to fulfill
permit requirements.
In Oregon, landfill
operators report
tonnage data in con-
junction with a per
ton disposal fee levied
by the state.
Step Five

Address
Confidentiality
Guarantees.
   Understanding and addressing
the confidentiality concerns of the
recycling and MSW industries  is
critical to ensuring a high response
rate, especially if you are relying
on a voluntary reporting  system.
Confidentiality is an  important
concern  to many  haulers  and
processors who might be reluctant
to share  proprietary information.
Although confidentiality concerns
present  potential  roadblocks,  a
number of programs have success-
fully addressed  this issue. Some
suggestions for ensuring confiden-
tiality include:
• Avoid  asking for  customer lists
  on survey forms.
• Obtain a legislative  exemption
  from your  state's Freedom of
  Information Act. (See Appendix
  F for sample legislation from the
  state of Florida.)
• Agree  not to release proprietary
  information used to  compute a
  recycling rate.
• Ask   survey  respondents  to
  mark  sensitive information as
  "confidential."
• Use a third-party (accounting
  firm or  trade association) to
  aggregate data, while keeping the
  sources of material confidential.
  If necessary,  collect recycling
information from recycling plants,
which tend to be less reluctant than
other data sources to share aggre-
gate tonnage information.


Step  Six

Determine How to

Manage and Analyze

the  Information.
  Information is not useful unless
it is meaningful and easy to access.
Be sure  to invest sufficient time
and effort into developing an infor-
mation management system  that
allows you to  use the information
you  gather. There are  numerous
software packages, including data-
bases and spreadsheets, that can
help you manage and analyze the
data you collect.

  Using computers to compile and
maintain data improves the efficien-
cy of data analysis and management.
They streamline the process  and
minimize the level of effort required
to manage  the data. Government
agencies use software  packages
such  as Foxpro,  Paradox,  and
Excel. (EPA does not endorse any
particular  product.)  All of these
packages can be operated on a PC
with standard components—DOS
or Windows, a 486 PC, 8 MB RAM,
and an 850 MB hard drive. While a
database system is more adept at
organizing information,  it usually
has  greater  design requirements
and  calls  for a substantial data
entry effort. Also, a database typi-
cally requires that one staff person
be dedicated to its operation due to
its highly technical nature, whereas
several staff members  can  be
trained  to operate a spreadsheet.
A spreadsheet  system  manages
numerical data  more efficiently,
 Many state and local
 agencies use database and
 spreadsheet systems to
 compile and  manage data.
 Florida uses a spreadsheet and
 has advised counties to purchase
 Excel using state grant money. This
 enables Florida to send each coun-
 ty a disk to use for reporting data.
 The state of
 Washington uses
 a combination
 system of both a
 database and a spreadsheet. The
 database is used for data entry
 purposes, while the spreadsheet is
 used to perform calculations.

-------
and it allows  agencies to merge
information from individual disks
received  from reporting  entities
onto a master file, thus minimizing
the need for data entry. A spread-
sheet system, however, does  not
allow for the easy manipulation of
text. Therefore, database programs
have emerged as the leading soft-
ware application for recycling mea-
surement.

   An alternative to using only a
spreadsheet or a database is to use
a  combination  of both  types of
software.  For  example, survey
respondents could report data on a
spreadsheet, and you could  use
a  computer  program  to convert
the  data for importation  into  a
database.
Exports and Imports

The standard measurement
methodology requires that export-
ed MSW and recyclables be includ-
ed in your recycling rate
calculation, while imported MSW
and recyclables be excluded. When
deciding whom to survey, it is
important to consider how you will
track exports and imports. Tracking
exports and imports will provide
you with an accurate picture of the
total amount of MSW generated
and recycled in your jurisdiction.
Below are some suggestions for
how to accurately account for the
movement of materials in and out
of your state or locality.

Recyclables
Obtaining residential recycling
data from the  point of collection
minimizes the danger of missing
exported materials or counting
materials that were imported from
outside your jurisdiction.
If you choose to survey processing
facilities and end users, be aware
that data from these sources are
more likely to  include  materials
from outside your jurisdiction
(imports). When surveying these
facilities, be very clear in your
instructions that you are seeking
information only on materials that
originated in your state or locality.
The survey forms included with this
guide ask respondents to  report
only materials from a particular
jurisdiction.
The best way to obtain commercial
recycling export data is to survey
large generators, because they
might be collecting, consolidating,
or transporting recyclables on their
own. These generators often recy-
cle  large quantities of office paper
and old corrugated containers,
yard trimmings, wood packaging
(pallets and crates), scrap metal,
and miscellaneous items such as
microfilm, computers, and
furniture.
If you survey  only processors, you
might miss some materials collected
by private haulers and processed
outside of your jurisdiction
(exports). If you have the
resources, consider contacting
private recycling haulers to estimate
the amount of material exported
from your state or locality for pro-
cessing or remanufacture.

NSW
Determining quantities  of exports
and imports requires an under-
standing of the waste flow in your
area. If you know the waste man-
agement infrastructure  in  your
area, you will have a sense of the
amount of exporting and  importing
taking place. A good place to start
in determining the amount of
MSW being exported is to survey
waste haulers, since they are the
first point in the disposal chain.
Transfer stations are also good
sources of information on waste
exports.
For imports, accurate data can be
obtained  by surveying landfills,
incinerators, and waste-to-energy
facilities. State and local govern-
ments that ask for import data
from disposal facilities have found
that the facilities are not hesitant to
provide this information.
The survey forms included with this
guide are designed to make it easy
for data sources to report informa-
tion on MSW imports and exports.
States gather information about
exports from a  variety of sources.
Minnesota deter-
mined the majority of
waste leaving the state
was going through
transfer stations, so
these facilities were surveyed for
this information.
Washington
knows that only
one landfill in the
state receives imported waste and
that all waste exported from the
state is taken to a landfill in
Oregon. Officials in
Mecklenburg
County,
North Carolina, decided to
license  waste haulers as a way to
track exports. A court ruling in
Alabama  concluded the state could
require reporting of information on
the destination of waste, but could
not mandate where the haulers dis-
posed of waste.
  Section 4

-------
Estimation
Under the standard methodology,
estimation of data on MSW recy-
cling and disposal is acceptable as
long as the estimates are based on
good, solid knowledge of the
sources and flow of MSW in your
area, and the estimates are noted.
Collecting raw data is the preferred
approach for obtaining all data nec-
essary to calculate  a recycling rate.
In some cases, however, data
sources may be unable to provide
information on certain materials
that cannot be easily measured due
to the way they are managed. For
example, commercial MSW is often
collected in the same vehicles as
MSW from multifamily residential
buildings due to the use of similar
waste containers. Also, MSW and
materials classified  as Other Solid
Waste (C&D debris) are some-
times mixed together during collec-
tion and sent to disposal facilities in
the same vehicle or container. In
these cases, it may be necessary to
estimate separate totals for the dif-
ferent types of waste.
In Arlington County, Virginia,
MSW from multifamily residences
(apartments and condominiums)
and commercial businesses is
aggregated together
during
collection.
Waste haulers are therefore unable
to differentiate between residential
and commercial waste. To estimate
the amount of MSW from multi-
family residences disposed of at
their waste-to-energy facility, offi-
cials multiply the total multifamily
population (obtained from census
data)  by the average number of
pounds of MSW generated  per
person (obtained from a local
study). This number is added to
the amount of MSW generated by
single-family homes, which is more
easily tracked because it is collected
separately, to arrive at a total resi-
dential MSW figure.
Double Counting
In an attempt to collect compre-
hensive, accurate data on recycling
and waste disposal, many agencies
have encountered instances of dou-
ble counting of data. The best way
to avoid double counting is to col-
lect data from only one point in
the chain—either collectors, proces-
sors, or end users (disposal facilities
or recycling plants).
Florida surveys
only large processors
that handle more than 600
tons of recyclables per year.
Since most of the recyclables
ultimately pass through these large
processors before leaving the state,
complete data are captured with-
out having to consider double
counting.
Washington's  approach of only
surveying at the collection point
               avoids double
               counting while at
               the same time pro-
duces reliable information on the
source of materials, which is useful
for tracking recycling at the county
level.
In New Jersey, the scrap
metal industry has developed
a mechanism for reporting
recycling data to the state
that avoids double counting,'
streamlines data collection,  and
also ensures confidentiality. The
New Jersey chapter of the Institute
of Scrap  Recycling Industries (a
national trade association) sends a
survey form that it developed to all
its members, employs an account-
ing firm to aggregate the data, and
reports the total to the state
directly. The survey form includes
the names of the six major scrap
processors and  end users in the
state, through which most of the
scrap metal in the state eventually
passes. These six companies report
the total amount of scrap metal
received  from sources within New
Jersey. Other companies report
data only if the metal was sent to a
company other than the six major
processors and end users.
As a result of this system, data is
not counted twice, businesses have
a greater incentive to report accu-
rate data since they do not have to
reveal proprietary information, and
complete data is captured since all
the major players are surveyed. In
addition, the state's recycling mea-
surement costs are reduced. A dis-
advantage of this system, however,
is that the state is unable to verify
the accuracy of the data. In addi-
tion to being used in New Jersey,
this system was recently codified by
the Tennessee  legislature.

-------
             Now that you have planned and designed your
             recycling measurement system, you are  ready to
             distribute the  survey forms, compile the data,
and calculate your annual recycling rate. This section outlines
the steps involved in implementing your measurement system
after it has been developed.
Step One
Institute  Measures to

Increase  Your Survey

Response  Rate.
  Mailing survey forms to poten-
tial respondents does not guaran-
tee they  will comply with your
information request. A variety of
techniques can be  employed to
increase your survey response rate,
and you  should  pick those that
meet your particular needs. Some
examples  include:
• Send a cover letter. Attach a cover
  letter  to  the  survey  forms
  explaining the  what, why, and
  how of your program. Sample
  cover letters for three types of
  respondents are  provided in
  Appendix G.
• Designate a contact person. Offer
  assistance to respondents  by
  providing  a  contact name and
  telephone  number to  call if
  they have  questions.  Space
  is  provided  on  the  survey
  forms in Appendix C for  this
  information.

  Fill out  survey information in
  advance. Filling out as much of
  the information on  the survey
  form for the respondents as pos-
  sible will help expedite the  sur-
  vey process.

  Use the media. The media  also
  can be used to enhance report-
  ing. Special events are another
  opportunity to showcase posi-
  tive results.

  Send survey  forms  with grant
  applications. If applicable, attach
  survey forms to recycling grant
  applications.  Indicate that recy-
  cling grant applications must be
  submitted with a completed sur-
  vey form in order to be eligible.
Implementation
Steps
I. Institute measures to
   increase your survey
   response rate.
2. Educate survey
   respondents.
3. Distribute survey forms.
4. Maintain frequent
   communication with
   survey respondents.
5. Compile data and
   calculate an MSW
   recycling rate.
6. Verify and double-check
   data.
7. Share information.
    ^p-  Minnesota merges its survey mailing list with its survey form so
         that the respondent information is already filled in. The state also
         fills in recycling data for certain materials, such as lead-acid batteries,
         based on statewide figures. If the local government has better data,
it can revise the state's estimate.
                                                                               Implementation

-------
                New York
                State publishes
                a recycling bul-
                letin that lists
               6-
                each county's
recycling rate. To encourage busi-
nesses to report, Steele County,
Minnesota, and Onondaga
County, New York, both pub-
lish newspaper
columns featuring
recycling business-
es that report
high rates.
  Mandatory
  Program
  Enforcement
  Some mandatory reporting
  programs carry penalties for
  noncompliance. In Monroe
  County, New York, for
  example, potential liabilities are
  written into the county's recy-
  cling law. First, the offenders
  receive a written warning,
  which can be followed by a
  $50 fine if the violation occurs
  again. Many states and locali-
  ties, including Monroe County,
  prefer to contact the company
  or facility to encourage partici-
  pation and  rely on the penalty
  as a last resort. In many cases,
  persistence pays. Letters,
  phone calls, or site visits often
  encourage reporting.
Step  Two

Educate Survey

Respondents.
  It is essential  to  explain  to
respondents the purpose, require-
ments, and benefits of your recy-
cling  measurement program,  as
well as any penalties associated
with noncompliance. If you have a
voluntary reporting system, educa-
tion is the main tool for ensuring a
high response  rate. By the same
token,  educating survey respon-
dents  can reduce  the amount of
enforcement necessary  under  a
mandatory  reporting   system.
Education   can   be  provided
through training seminars, techni-
cal  assistance  materials, and  fre-
quent communication.
  Training can greatly enhance the
quality of the data you receive.  It
also gives you  an excellent oppor-
tunity  to develop relationships
with respondents and explain your
program. Training sessions can be
held around your  region, or you
can host a workshop in tandem
with an annual recycling meeting.
You may elect  to hold special ses-
sions   for  different  groups  of
respondents (waste haulers, recy-
clers, local governments), or divide
the  sessions into public and private
sectors. Whatever you decide, your
recycling  measurement training
seminar should:
• Explain WHY you are engaged
  in recycling measurement.
• Describe HOW the data you col-
  lect will be used.
• Promote the BENEFITS of recy-
  cling measurement and respon-
  dents' participation.
• Detail the REQUIREMENTS of
  your program.
• Explain  any  PENALTIES for
  noncompliance.

• Seek attendees' INPUT and sug-
  gestions on the program.

• Describe any  available  TECH-
  NICAL ASSISTANCE.

• Distribute   and  explain  the
  SURVEY FORMS.

  Recycling measurement training
can be combined with other meet-
ings or  training  topics. Recycling
organizations are usually eager to
provide state  and  local agencies
with time for workshops or train-
ing sessions during their  annual
conferences.

  Providing technical assistance to
respondents also can help ensure
that you obtain the necessary data.
Technical assistance might include
having a staff person available to
answer telephone calls or publish-
ing guidebooks  or other printed
materials. It is crucial that staff are
available  to   answer  questions
about the recycling measurement
program. This person's name and
telephone number should be clear-
ly identified on the survey forms,
instructions,  and all correspon-
dence from your agency. This con-
tact will be the principal liaison
with the recycling and waste man-
agement community and  should
be equipped to answer questions
about reporting requirements and
offer  suggestions  for  collecting
data. Publishing an e-mail address
or starting a  recycling measure-
ment bulletin board on the Internet
also helps provide  support  to
respondents.

  Technical assistance can  help
increase the response rate in areas
with   a   voluntary   reporting
program. In areas without facility
permit requirements or other types
of mandated  reporting, offering

-------
technical  assistance with  survey
forms  might  encourage  routine
responses from disposal facilities.
In addition, the more these respon-
dents understand about the report-
ing process, the more accurate and
complete their data will be.


Step Three

Distribute  Survey

Forms.
  The  recycling  measurement sea-
son begins when the survey forms
are mailed out  to respondents.
Distribute survey forms at least 6
months before you wish to arrive at
a final  recycling rate determination.
If you  survey data sources directly,
respondents should be given 4 to 6
weeks to complete the survey forms
and return them. If you are not sur-
veying directly but are  receiving
assistance from county  or city gov-
ernments, allow 3 months for them
to fill out the forms. In this case, local
agencies will need additional time to
distribute surveys and compile data
within  their boundaries. Regardless
of who is responsible for collecting
data, you will need approximately 3
months to compile data, verify infor-
mation, and calculate the recycling
rate after all survey forms have been
returned.
  Table 11 on page 40 outlines the
six survey forms included with this
guide.  Each survey form is intend-
ed for  a different type of respon-
dent, who can provide information
about the amount of MSW recycled
or disposed of in your jurisdiction.
The table  lists  the forms,  their
intended respondents, and exam-
ples of respondents who should fill
out each form.
  A cover page entitled "About
This Form" is attached to  each
                 In Onondaga County, New York, a business recy-
                 cling specialist on the county's staff offers free services
                 to area recyclers, including technical assistance on waste
              "—«'reduction. Providing these services helps the private sec-
tor respondents and assists the county in keeping track of those businesses
that are recycling in the area.
In Minnesota, the Office of Environmental Assistance
(OEA) provides telephone assistance to counties to help
them  understand what materials should be tabulated in the
recycling rate. OEA also created  a guidebook to help coun-
ties complete the annual survey forms. The guidebook
instructs counties on how to collect and  report recycling and MSW data,
and provides guidance on measuring recycling revenues and expenditures.
form. This cover page explains the
purpose of the form, who the form
is  intended  for, and what you
should do before mailing the form.
This page is for the use of the mea-
suring agency only and should not
be   sent  out  with   the  form.
It  is important  to fill  out  the
relevant  information  in  the  "To
Be  Completed  by  the Surveyor"
section before mailing the form.

  While each survey form is spe-
cific to the type of respondent, the
following common elements  are
found:

• Each form allows for the report-
  ing of data on MSW as well as
  other types of solid waste out-
  side the scope of the standard
  recycling rate. (See  Table A on
  page  11  for a description of
  Other Solid Waste.)

• Respondents are asked to report
  data according to the source of
  the material,  whether residential
  or commercial.

• Respondents are asked to report
  data  in  tons. Instructions and
  standard volume-to-weight con-
  version factors are provided for
  converting data if  necessary.
  (See Appendix B.)
In Florida, the
state runs a 2- to 3-
hour session for county
recycling coordinators at
the Recycle Florida! annual
meeting. The meeting gives the
state a chance to explain its recy-
cling grant application process and
reporting requirements.
The state of Washington con-
ducts 2-hour train-
ing  workshops for
its 39 county recy-
cling coordinators.
Haulers, collectors, processors,
and others responsible for com-
pleting survey forms also are invit-
ed to participate  in the sessions.
The state uses this time to go over
the reporting forms in detail,
explaining each step to survey
respondents and  answering ques-
tions.
                                                                                      Implementation

-------
TABLE  II.  SURVEY FORMS
 i/>
 O
 i/t
     Survey Form   Respondent Type
     Form 1        Collectors of recyclables.
     Form 2        Processors of recyclables.
     Form 3        End users of recyclables.

     Form 4        Collectors of MSW and
                   Other Solid Waste.
Form 5       Transfer stations.
Form 6       Waste disposal facilities.
      Examples of Respondent
      Private haulers, government agencies with collection crews, and large
      generators (grocery stores, retail chains, and government facilities) that
      self-haul directly to a processor or end user.
      Scrap metal, paper, plastic, tire, and yard trimmings processors, glass
      beneficiation plants, MRFs, buy-back centers, drop-off centers, and
      transfer stations that recover recyclables from waste on site.
      Public and private composting facilities, recycling plants, and disposal
      facilities that recover recyclables from waste on site.
      Private waste haulers, government agencies with collection crews, and
      large generators (grocery stores, retail chains, and government facilities)
      that self-haul directly to a disposal facility or transfer station or end
      user.
      Public and private transfer stations.
      Public and private landfills, incinerators, and waste-to-energy facilities.
•  Imports and exports of waste are
   tracked.
•  Collectors, processors,  and end
   users of recyclables are asked to
   report  data  only on materials
   that originated in the particular
   jurisdiction.
•  Data can be reported either on
   broad categories  of  recyclables
   or on specific commodities.
   These common elements adhere
to  the  standard   measurement
approach  but also allow flexibility
in collecting information  on recy-
cling  and waste  disposal outside
the scope of the standard approach.
Space is provided  on the survey
forms for collecting this kind  of
information because some jurisdic-
tions may wish to track these data
for planning purposes  or may be
required under their legislature to
do so.
   If local governments are consoli-
dating data and reporting to you,
the entire set  of  survey  forms
should be sent to the agency con-
ducting the survey. Otherwise, the
forms can be sent directly by the
measuring   agency  to  specific
respondents.


Step Four

Maintain  Frequent
Communication  With
Survey Respondents.
  While respondents are  complet-
ing the  survey forms, it is impor-
tant to maintain contact with them
in  order  to  encourage timely
response   and   quality   data.
Frequent communication  can help
to foster positive relationships with
the  survey   community,   gain
insights into  their concerns, and
provide an avenue  for  clarifying
reporting requirements. This helps
to personalize the recycling mea-
                                                                                    The Oregon
                                                                                    Department of
                                                                                    Environmental
                                                                                    Quality (DEQ)
                                                                                    follows up with
                                                                                    postcards and
                                                                   phone calls 2 to 3 weeks after its
                                                                   surveys are distributed. The post-
                                                                   cards remind respondents to fill
                                                                   out the survey and mention that
                                                                   technical assistance is available
                                                                   from  DEQ. Oregon has found this
                                                                   communication helps to improve
                                                                   data quality.
                                                                   surement program and results in a
                                                                   higher  quality of  data.  Effective
                                                                   communication vehicles  include
                                                                   telephone calls, postcards, letters,
                                                                   electronic bulletin boards, e-mail,
                                                                   and site visits. The methods you
                                                                   choose will depend on the size of
                                                                   your survey community and  avail-
                                                                   able staff, budget,  and timeframe
                                                                   for filling out forms.
 Section 5

-------
  Relationship Between the  Worksheets and  the
  Standard Recycling Rate
   MS W Recycling Rate
        (Worksheet B3)
    Total MSW Recycled
      (Worksheet Bl)
   Total MSW Generated
      (Worksheet B2)
xlOO
Step  Five

Compile Data and

Calculate an MSW
Recycling Rate.
  After all respondents have sub-
mitted their survey forms, your job
is to organize  the data into  an
accessible format, determine the
total amount of MSW  generated
and recycled, and calculate a recy-
cling rate. The worksheets includ-
ed with this guide in Appendix D
have been designed to allow data
to be compiled in a  concise  and
organized manner.

Worksheet A
  Worksheet A is intended for
those measurers that already have
calculated a recycling rate and sim-
ply  want to calculate  a  revised
recycling  rate based on the stan-
dard equation. The standard recy-
cling rate equation uses standard
definitions of MSW and recycling.
To  use the  standard  equation,
therefore, you must include only
those wastes and recycling activi-
ties  that are included in the defini-
tions  of  MSW  and  recycling.
Worksheet A helps you accomplish
this.
Worksheets B1, B2,

and B3
  Worksheets Bl, B2,  and  B3 are
intended for those measurers that
have never  calculated  a recycling
rate and those intending to redesign
their measurement systems in order
to calculate an MSW recycling rate.
These worksheets help you  assem-
ble  recycling and  waste disposal
data from the sample survey forms
and  calculate your recycling rate.
The relationship between the work-
sheets and the standard recycling
rate equation is depicted above.

Worksheet B1

Compiled From
Survey  Forms
 I,  2, and  3
  The  survey forms  that corre-
spond to  Worksheet Bl are listed
above.  This worksheet allows for
the  aggregation of data on the
amount of MSW recycled in your
jurisdiction, as reported on Forms
1,2, and 3 by collectors, processors,
and  end users, respectively. Total
MSW recycled is the numerator of
the  standard recycling rate equa-
tion. If you obtained data from
more than  one  point  in  the
recycling chain, Worksheet  Bl
explains how to analyze the  data in
  order to eliminate possible double
  counting. In addition, a  detailed
  method for estimating the compo-
  sition of commingled recyclables is
  included.


  Worksheet B2

  Compiled From
  Survey Forms
  4,  5, and 6
    This worksheet is used to total
  data on the amount of MSW dis-
  posed of in  your jurisdiction, as
  reported on Forms 4, 5, and 6 by
  collectors, transfer  stations,  and
  disposal facilities, respectively. The
  worksheet allows you to  subtract
  waste imports and add exports in
  order to arrive at the total amount
  of MSW from your state or locality
  that was disposed of. In addition,
  space is  provided  to determine
  your jurisdiction's total MSW gen-
  eration by adding together the total
  amount disposed of and the total
  amount recycled (from Worksheet
  Bl).  Total MSW generation is  the
  denominator  of the standard recy-
  cling rate equation.

    Other features of Worksheet B2
  include:

  • An optional section for extrapo-
    lating waste disposal data if you
                                                                              Implementation

-------
   Commingled  Materials
  Since many residential recycling
  programs today are based on
  commingled curbside collection,
  commodity-specific information
  may not be available. The survey
  forms included with this guide
  allow respondents to report data
  on commingled materials as an
  individual category, but the data
  must be broken down into the
  component materials in order to
  implement the standard method-
  ology. You can estimate the com-
  position of commingled
  recyclables in one of two ways: by
  using national, state, or local
  recovery data on  recyclable mate-
  rials, or by using sampling data.
    The preferred approach for
  estimating the composition of
  commingled recyclables is to use
  local, state, or national recovery
  data. Although using sampling
  techniques may generate more
  accurate data in specific locations,
  local, state, or national data will
 provide comparable recycling
 rates among jurisdictions and is
 less resource-intensive.
 Worksheet B1 includes detailed
 instructions on how to estimate
 the breakdown of commingled
 materials using the national recov-
 ery data found in EPA's
 Characterization of Municipal Solid
 Waste in the United States: 1996
 Update. This same  methodology
 can be employed using recovery
 data specific to your area, if avail-
 able. In both cases, recovery data
 are used as default numbers to
 estimate the percentage of each
 recyclable material in the commin-
 gled mix. These  percentages are
 then multiplied by the total ton-
 nage of the mix to arrive at a
 weight for each material.
   Another way to determine the
 breakdown of the commingled
 materials stream is to use the
 sampling technique described
 below. This method uses actual
tonnage data from the processing
facility where the commingled
materials are separated:
I.  Request that the MRF or pro-
   cessing facility process your
   materials separately on a par-
   ticular day so that you can con-
   duct sampling.
2.  Use a sample size large enough
   to accurately reflect the types
   of recyclables generated in
   your area. This will help to
   ensure the precision of your
   sampling methodology.
3.  From the sample results, deter-
   mine the percentage of each
   recyclable material in the com-
   mingled mix.
4.  Identify the total tonnage of
   material from your area.
5.  Apply these percentages to the
   total tons of commingled mate-
   rials from your jurisdiction to
   determine each constituent's
   tonnage.
  received less than a 100 percent
  response rate to your survey.

  A methodology for estimating
  waste generation using waste
  characterization data for those
  who do not conduct annual sur-
  veys of disposal facilities.
Appendix H
  In some cases, a jurisdiction may
have conducted a waste characteri-
zation study or survey of disposal
facilities in the past but does not
have accurate information from a
current survey. Appendix H con-
tains  an  optional equation for
adjusting  waste generation  infor-
mation obtained in the past. The
equation enables you to adjust the
past data to account for changes in
population and economic  condi-
tions. This method may be used to
estimate waste generation for the
current measurement year.
 Worksheet B3

 Combines Information
 Obtained on Worksheets
 Bl  and B2
   Worksheet  B3 is  used to  com-
 bine  the  information obtained in
 Worksheets Bl and B2 to calculate
 a recycling rate.  This  worksheet
 contains  the  standard  recycling
 rate equation.
 Section 5

-------
   Using  Waste  Characterization Data
  The preferred approach for determining MSW generation is to obtain
  data from surveys of waste haulers, transfer stations, and/or disposal
  facilities. If you do not have the resources or legislative authority to
  conduct surveys,  an alternative is to use data from waste characteriza-
  tion studies. These studies determine a per capita annual waste gener-
  ation rate that, when multiplied by the current year's population,
  yields an estimate of total waste generation. A methodology for esti-
  mating waste generation in this way is outlined in Worksheet B2.
Step  Six

Verify and  Double-

Check Data.
  If time and resources permit, it is
a good idea to verify the accuracy
of the data you received before you
calculate a recycling rate. This step
can be performed at the same time
you are compiling data from the
survey forms. Options for verify-
ing data accuracy include:
/ Compare current data with data
  from the  previous year. If large
  discrepancies are noticed, follow
  up  by contacting survey respon-
  dents.
/ Use  data  from   secondary
  sources to cross-check data from
  primary sources.
/ Compare totals for specific recy-
  clable  commodities with  data
  from state or local waste charac-
  terization studies.
  In  addition to  verifying the
accuracy of data, it is important to
double-check your  data  compila-
tions  after completing Worksheets
Bl  and  B2. Examine  the data
closely and  answer the following
questions:

• Was all exported waste counted?

• Was all imported waste excluded?

• Was only MSW counted? (Was
  any Other Solid Waste inadver-
  tently included?)

• Were  all recyclables  counted
  only once? Was any of the same
  MSW reported by more than one
  survey respondent?

• Were all data reported in tons?

• Were the EPA standard volume-
  to-weight conversion  factors
  used by survey respondents?

• Were any data omitted due  to
  leakage?

  Depending  on the amount  of
data you collect and the number of
survey respondents, verifying and
double-checking can be resource-
intensive. This  step is important,
however, for ensuring that your
recycling rate  is as  accurate  as
possible  and will  help give you
confidence in your recycling mea-
surement efforts.
                  Oregon sur-
                  veys processors
                  and end users
                  directly, while
                  counties survey
collectors and then report to the
state. Data from processors and
end users are used to verify data
reported by collectors.
Washington
conducts an
informal tele-
phone survey
of end users
in the state in
order to check the accuracy of
data reported by collectors.
Oregon uses a computer pro-
gram that, for each county and
each commodity, multiplies the
population by a projected per capi-
ta generation rate  to arrive at a
projected recycling total. The pro-
gram then compares this total with
the total reported  by the respec-
tive county to verify the data.
To double-check
its data,  Ohio
compares the
national  waste
generation rate
of 0.80 tons per person per year
to the average for  each of the
reporting solid waste management
districts  (SWMD).  If there is a
large discrepancy which cannot be
accounted for by the rural or
urban nature of the SWMD, other
factors, such as open dumping of
waste, unreported recycling, or
undetected waste exports, are
investigated.
                                                                                     Implementation

-------
Step  Seven

Share Information.
  After you have calculated your
MSW recycling rate, it is important
to share the results of your recy-
cling measurement efforts.  Not
only is it professional and courte-
ous to share the final results with
survey respondents, but there are
also  tangible benefits to providing
such feedback. Communication on
the status of state or local recycling
efforts helps  officials  assess their
recycling   programs   and  their
progress  in   meeting  recycling
goals. It also can identify potential
areas of improvement and help
communities learn about recycling
activities beyond their immediate
jurisdiction,  which  could prove
useful in areas such  as market
development. Information sharing
also  provides   opportunities  to
share new ideas about  recycling
measurement.

   Sharing the results of your mea-
surement effort with the public is
also beneficial.  If you  would like
your recycling  rate to be higher,
use the results to educate citizens
and businesses  about  the impor-
tance of recycling. If, on  the other
hand,  your measurement results
indicate that recycling is high  in
your area,  build on  that momen-
tum by recognizing people's efforts
and encouraging additional oppor-
tunities for waste reduction.
Florida, a
state that collects
data directly from sources,
keeps in close touch with
local governments throughout'
the year via phone, e-mail, meet-
ings, and conferences. Through
these vehicles, the state updates
local officials on measurement
results, state policy decisions, fund-
ing, and other news.
 Section 5

-------
J
nhan
                                   en

             After you have developed a recycling measurement
             system  and calculated a recycling rate, you may
             want to think about ways to improve and
  enhance your program for subsequent data collection
  efforts. Some options for enhancing your recycling measure-
  ment program include:
  • Expanding or changing your program.
  • Modifying the survey forms.
  • Measuring source reduction.
  • Using electronic  reporting.

  You might consider implementing one or more of these
  kinds of enhancements as your measurement system evolves.
  Option One

  Expand  or Change
  Data Collection Efforts.

    Consider expanding data collec-
  tion efforts by adding more types
  of MSW materials to the rate calcu-
  lation. (See Table A, page 11.) You
  can expand a basic program over
  the course of 1 or 2 years to include
  more of  these materials  not cur-
  rently being tracked. Data on cate-
  gories of waste not considered to
  be MSW (see Table A, page 11) also
  can be obtained, but remember that
  these do  not count when calculat-
  ing the standard recycling rate. A
  separate  recycling  rate  could be
                          computed,  however,  for  these
                          other types of solid waste.
                            Another potential enhancement
                          is to alter who is surveyed, using
                          some of the techniques presented
                          earlier in this guide as a way to
                          streamline, reduce  double count-
                          ing, increase response  rates, or
                          improve data accuracy.

                          Option Two

                          Refine and Modify the
                          Survey  Forms.

                            You can choose  to modify the
                          forms included with this guide to
                          assist with special data collection
needs, meet legislative  require-
ments, or simply gather informa-
tion about the way waste and
recyclables are generated and man-
aged in an area. Some states and
localities might wish to modify the
forms to request qualitative infor-
mation  from respondents. Even
though  such information is  not
necessary to calculate a recycling
rate, it can be very useful to a state
or local agency. This information
might help you  consider imple-
menting changes  in the way you
collect MSW or recyclables, pro-
vide the momentum for  adding
services or materials to a recycling
program,  or   help you  assess
and possibly  modify  resource
allocations  for  various   waste
                                                                             Enhancement

-------
management system components.
Examples of questions you may
want to ask on survey forms are:

• Is curbside collection  of  recy-
  clables offered to  single-family
  homes?  If  so,  estimate  how
  many homes are serviced.

• Is there a program for collecting
  recyclables  from  multifamily
  dwelling units? If so,  estimate
  how many homes are serviced.

• Can you provide or estimate the
  population served by your recy-
  cling program?

• Is there a program to  promote
  source reduction?

• Is a pay-as-you-throw system
  used for collecting solid waste
  disposal fees from residents?

• How much money was spent
  last year on educating the public
  about recycling?

• Have recyclable materials been
  banned from landfills or the
  solid waste collection system? If
  so, which materials?
                • Is yard trimmings collection for
                  leaves, grass, and brush offered?
                  If so, estimate the population
                  served by  the yard  trimmings
                  collection program.
                • Are  drop-off opportunities for
                  household  hazardous   waste
                  offered?


                Option  Three

                Consider Measuring

                Source Reduction.

                  Some states and localities are
                attempting  to  measure  source
                reduction activities to help  assess
                overall waste reduction progress.
                The survey forms can be modified
                to  request information on such
                activities, as long as these data are
                kept separate from the recycling
                figures. EPA developed the  Source
                Reduction Program Potential Manual
                in  1997 to  assist communities in
                determining the impacts of various
                source  reduction activities on the
                waste stream. The  manual  exam-
                ines the diversion potential of six
                                  source reduction programs, includ-
                                  ing  grasscycling, home compost-
                                  ing, textiles reuse,  office paper
                                  reduction, wooden  pallet reuse,
                                  and paper towel reduction.

                                    While you might  not have the
                                  desire or resources to attempt to
                                  measure  source reduction,  some
                                  data on source reduction is readily
                                  available  and could  be useful to
                                  your planning efforts. Examples of
                                  source reduction activities that you
                                  might consider  measuring,  along
                                  with sources of data, are provided
                                  in Table 12.


                                  Option Four

                                  Take Advantage  of

                                  Electronic  Reporting.

                                    To speed survey response time
                                  and ease the burden of compiling
                                  data, consider offering respondents
                                  an  electronic  reporting  format.
                                  Information can be provided and
                                  transferred  electronically  through
                                  computer disks or the Internet.
 TABLE 12.  EXAMPLES OF SOURCE REDUCTION ACTIVITIES
  Category
  Paper Products
  Rubber


  Textiles
  Wood
  Yard Trimmings
Material
Office paper.
Tires.


Clothing.



Pallets.
Grass clippings,
leaves.
Application
Duplexing.
Retread tires.


Used clothing.
Refurbished pallets.
Backyard compost.
Grasscycling.
Sources of Data
Government agencies and private businesses.
Tire dealers.
National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association.
Local thrift stores.
Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries.
Council for Textile Recycling.
International Association of Pallet Recyclers.
Local government recycling programs.
The Composting Council.
 Section 6

-------
Electronic Reporting
Many states and localities are
experimenting with or are now
using electronic reporting. In
Maryland, the state sends
computer disks |
to counties who report1
in a WordPerfect file.
State officials read the
county reports and then com-
pile the information using a
dBase IV database program.
                In May 1996,
                Pennsylvania
                began Internet
                training ses-
sions. The goal of these sessions
is to allow counties to report via
e-mail. Several training sessions
were held around the state and
were open to all counties and
cities. In addition, the state pro-
vided free modems to training
session participants. The training
covered basic Internet facts and
how to set up a homepage.
Once local governments become
accustomed to the Internet, the
state will develop a reporting
procedure.
Washington
considered
developing a
version of its
database to be distributed on
disk, but is opting instead to
design something for the
Internet in time to collect 1997
data. One possibility is to
include a form on the state's
homepage. Local officials would
be able to download the form,
enter the data, and send the
information back electronically
to be downloaded into a data-
base.
Florida is also
jumping on the
Internet, but only after
spending several years get-
ting counties accustomed to
submitting data on computer
disks. As of September 1, 1996,
Florida counties are required to
gain Internet access and an e-
mail address as a condition for
receiving grant monies. The
state is considering developing a
form for their Web site, similar
to what the state of Washington
is proposing, so that counties
can download the file, fill in
their data, and return the infor-
mation via computer disk, hard
copy, or e-mail.
  Before beginning,  first deter-
mine if  respondents are comfort-
able with an electronic format.
Electronic  reporting also can be
offered as  an option, as a way to
gradually introduce it to respon-
dents. If you choose to offer elec-
tronic reporting as an option, make
sure people can still  respond by
completing and mailing in survey
forms if they are not equipped or
inclined to do otherwise.
              Many state and
              local govern-
              ments are
finding that the benefits of
recycling measurement are
worth the time and effort
required to plan and design
an effective system. By fol-
lowing the suggestions in
this guide, you can devise
and implement a successful
recycling measurement pro-
gram that is right for you.
Not only can  such  a pro-
gram advance the status of
recycling in your area, but it
also can reflect well  on
your  organization overall!
                                                                                  Enhancement

-------
Note: Definitions marked with a "1" were devel-
oped specifically to be used in the context of this
guide, the survey forms, and the worksheets.
Abatement Debris: refers to waste resulting from
  remediation activities. (U.S. EPA, 1994d)
Agricultural Waste: refers to solid waste that is
  generated by the rearing of animals or the pro-
  duction and harvest of crops or trees. (Sullivan,
  1993)
Aluminum Cans: refers to containers and pack-
  aging such as beverage cans or  food and other
  nonfood cans. Examples of recycling include
  processing cans  into new aluminum products
  (containers or foil). (U.S. EPA, 1995d)
Backyard Composting: refers to the diversion of
  food  scraps and  yard trimmings  from the
  municipal waste stream through the onsite con-
  trolled  decomposition of  organic  matter  by
  micro-organisms (mainly bacteria and  fungi)
  into a humus-like product. Backyard compost-
  ing is excluded from recycling activities. Rather,
  it  is considered  source  reduction because the
  composted materials never enter the municipal
  solid waste stream. (U.S. EPA, 1991a)
Broad Categories1: refers to general classifications
  of recyclable materials (glass,  paper,  plastic,
  metals).
Broker:  refers to an individual or group of indi-
  viduals who act as an agent or intermediary
  between the sellers  and buyers of  recyclable
  materials. (U.S. EPA, 1989)
Brush and Branches1: refers to the natural woody
  material collected from yard trimmings. Whole
  trees, such  as Christmas trees, are included.
  Excludes leaves  and grass. Examples of recy-
  cling  include processing brush and branches
  into compost additive or mulch.
Bulky Waste1: refers to those items that are large
  enough to warrant special collection services sep-
  arate from regular residential curbside collection.
  Examples include major appliances and furniture.
Buy-Back Center: refers to a facility where indi-
  viduals or groups of individuals exchange recy-
  clables for payment. (U.S. EPA, 1989)
Collector1: refers to public or private haulers that
  collect  nonhazardous waste  and  recyclable
  materials from residential, commercial, institu-
  tional, and industrial sources. Also see Hauler.
Combustion Ash: refers to the residual substance
  produced during the  burning, combustion, or
  oxidation of waste material. (U.S. EPA, 1994d)
Commercial Waste: refers to waste generated by
  businesses, such as office buildings; retail and
  wholesale  establishments;  and  restaurants.
  Examples include old corrugated  containers,
  food  scraps, office papers,  disposable table-
  ware, paper napkins, and yard trimmings. (U.S.
  EPA, 1996b)
Commingled Recyclables:  refers to a mixture of
  several  recyclable materials in one container.
  (U.S. EPA, 1989)
Composting Facilities: refers to an offsite facility
  where the organic component of municipal
  solid scraps is biologically decomposed under
  controlled conditions; an aerobic  process in
  which organic materials  are ground or shred-
  ded and then decomposed  to humus in
  windrow piles  or in mechanical digesters,
  drums,  or similar enclosures. (U.S. EPA, 1991a,
  1994a)
Computer Paper/Printout: refers  to  a type of
  paper used in manifold business  forms and
  produced in rolls and/or fan folded. It is used
  with computers and word processors to print
  data, information, letters, advertising, etc. (U.S.
  EPA, 1994b)
Construction  and  Demolition (C&D) Debris:
  refers to waste that is generated during the con-
  struction, remodeling, repair, or demolition of
  buildings, bridges, pavements, and other struc-
  tures. C&D  debris includes concrete, asphalt,
  lumber, steel girders, steel rods, wiring, dry
  wall, carpets, window glass, metal and plastic

-------
  piping, tree stumps, soil, and other miscella-
  neous items related to the  activities listed
  above. This category also includes natural dis-
  aster debris. (U.S. EPA, 1989,1994d)
Consumer Price Index: refers to an index measur-
  ing the change in the cost of typical wage-earn-
  er purchases of goods and services expressed as
  a percentage of the cost of these  same goods
  and services in some base period.  (Mish et al.,
  1988)
Contaminated Soil: refers to the introduction of
  micro-organisms, chemicals,  toxic substances,
  wastes, or wastewater into soil in concentra-
  tions that make the soil unfit for  its intended
  use. (U.S. EPA, 1994d)
Crumb Rubber: refers to ground rubber pieces
  the size of sand or silt used in rubber or plastic
  products, or  processed further into reclaimed
  rubber or asphalt products. (U.S. EPA, 1991c)
Disposal Facilities: refers to repositories for solid
  waste including  landfills and  combustors
  intended  for  permanent  containment   or
  destruction of waste materials. Excludes transfer
  stations and  composting facilities. (U.S. EPA,
  1991b and National Recycling Coalition, 1995)
Drop-Off Center: refers to a method  of collection
  whereby  recyclable or compostable materials
  are taken by individuals to a collection site and
  placed in designated  containers. (U.S. EPA,
  1989)
End User1:  refers  to facilities that purchase  or
  secure recovered materials for the purpose of
  recycling. Examples include  recycling  plants
  and  composting  facilities.   Excludes  waste
  disposal facilities.
Exports1: refers to municipal solid waste and recy-
  clables that are transported outside the state or
  locality where they originated.
Ferrous Metals: refers to magnetic metals derived
  from iron (steel). (U.S. EPA,  1995d) Products
  made  from ferrous metals include major and
  small appliances, furniture, and containers and
  packaging (steel drums and barrels). Examples
  of recycling include processing tin/steel cans,
  strapping, and ferrous metals from appliances
  into new products. (U.S. EPA, 1995d)
Food Processing Waste1: refers to food residues
  produced during  agricultural  and  industrial
  operations.
Food Scraps1: refers to uneaten  food and food
  preparation wastes from residences and com-
  mercial establishments (grocery stores, restau-
  rants,   and  produce  stands),  institutional
  sources  (school cafeterias),  and industrial
  sources (employee lunchrooms). Excludes food
  processing waste from agricultural and indus-
  trial operations. Examples of recycling include
  composting and using food scraps to feed pigs,
  but excludes source reduction activities such as
  backyard (onsite) composting and use of food
  items for human consumption (food banks).
Generators1: refers to  producers of municipal
  solid waste  such as residences,  institutions,
  commercial businesses, and industry.
Glass Beneficiation Plant: refers  to a glass pro-
  cessing facility where recovered glass cullet is
  cleaned of contaminants and processed into a
  form that is  ready to be manufactured into a
  new product (mill-ready). (U.S.  EPA, 1995c)
Glass Containers: refers to containers and pack-
  aging such as beer and soft drink bottles, wine
  and liquor bottles, and bottles and jars for food,
  cosmetics, and other products. For the purpose
  of recycling, container glass is  generally sepa-
  rated into color categories  (clear, green,  and
  amber  or brown).   Examples  of  recycling
  include processing glass into new containers,
  construction materials (aggregate), or fiberglass
  (insulation). (U.S. EPA, 1995d)
Grass: refers to lawn clippings. Excludes leaves,
  brush, and branches. (Mish et al., 1988)
Grasscycling1: refers to the source reduction activ-
  ity whereby grass clippings are left on the lawn
  after mowing.
Gross Sales Receipts1: taxable transactions, or the
  total dollar value of goods sold in a state that
  are subject to state sales tax. The specific goods
  subjected to sales tax vary from state to state.
Hauler: refers to a waste collection company that
  provides complete  refuse removal  services.
  Many  will  also collect recyclables.  Includes
  both  private and public  entities.  Also see
  Collector. (U.S. EPA, 1994d)
   Appendix A

-------
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): refers to a
  plastic product in which the ethylene molecules
  are linked in long chains with few side branch-
  es.  Examples  of products made from HDPE
  include milk jugs, detergent bottles, margarine
  tubs, and garbage containers. (U.S. EPA, 1995c)
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW):  refers to
  hazardous products that are used and disposed
  of by residential—rather than industrial—con-
  sumers. These products include some paints,
  stains, varnishes, solvents, and pesticides, and
  other materials or products containing volatile
  chemicals that catch fire, react, explode under
  certain circumstances, or that are corrosive or
  toxic. HHW is derived from municipal  solid
  waste  (MSW) with the exception of  used oil
  which is excluded from  the  category of MSW.
  Examples  of recycling  include  processing
  HHW components into  new products  after
  they have been diverted from the waste stream.
  Diversion from the waste stream only does not
  constitute recycling (i.e., through collection or
  drop-off programs). (U.S. EPA, 1992,1993b)
Imports1: refers to municipal solid waste and
  recyclables  that have been transported  to a
  state or locality for processing or final disposi-
  tion, but that did not originate in that state or
  locality.
Incinerator: refers to a furnace for burning solid
  waste  under controlled conditions. (U.S.  EPA,
  1994d)
 Industrial Process Waste: refers to residues pro-
  duced  during  manufacturing  operations.
  (Sullivan, 1993)
Industrial Sludge:  refers  to the  semiliquid
  residue remaining from the treatment of indus-
  trial water and wastewater. (U.S. EPA, 1989)
Industrial Waste: refers to nonhazardous wastes
  discarded at industrial sites from packaging
  and administrative  sources. Examples include
  corrugated boxes, plastic film,  wood pallets,
  lunchroom wastes,  and office paper.  Excludes
  industrial process wastes  from manufacturing
  operations. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)
Institutional Waste: refers to waste generated at
  institutions, such as schools, libraries, hospi-
  tals, and prisons. Examples include  cafeteria
  and restroom trashcan  wastes,  office papers,
  classroom wastes, and  yard trimmings. (U.S.
  EPA, 1996b)
Large Appliances: see Major Appliances.
Large Generator1: refers to commercial business-
  es, institutions, or industries that generate suf-
  ficient quantities of municipal solid waste and
  recyclables  to warrant self-management of
  these materials. Examples of large generators
  include supermarkets,  restaurants,  hardware
  stores, shopping malls, warehouses,  amuse-
  ment parks, convention centers, and office and
  apartment complexes.
LDPE  (Low Density Polyethylene): refers  to a
  plastic material in which the ethylene mole-
  cules are linked in a random fashion with the
  main chains of the polymer having long and
  short side branches. LDPE is used for both rigid
  containers and plastic film applications. (U.S.
  EPA, 1995c)
 Lead-Acid Batteries: refers to batteries used in
  automobiles,  trucks,  and  motorcycles. They
  contain plastic, lead (a toxic metal), and sulfu-
  ric acid. Excludes lead-acid batteries from large
  equipment, heavy-duty trucks and tractors, air-
  craft, military vehicles, and boats.  (U.S. EPA,
  1993a, 1996b)
Leakage1: refers to cases in which residential recy-
  clables are collected outside of a municipal col-
  lection system. As a result, these materials are
  often undetected during the course  of normal
  data collection efforts.
Leaves: refers to the foliage of a plant. Excludes
  brush, branches, and grass. (Mish et al, 1988)
Major (Large) Appliances: refers to many differ-
  ent types, sizes, and styles of ovens, microwave
  ovens, air-conditioners, refrigerators, freezers,
  washers, dryers, dishwashers, water heaters,
  dehumidifiers, or trash compactors manufac-
  tured for household, commercial, or recreation-
  al use. Steel is the predominant  material used
  in the  manufacture of large appliances. Other
  materials found in appliances (in varying
  amounts) include,  copper,  brass, aluminum,
  glass, rubber, and paperboard. Also see White
  Goods and Bulky Waste. (Sullivan, 1993 and
  U.S. EPA, 1995d)
Material Recovery Facility (MRF): refers  to a
  facility where recyclables are sorted into specif-

-------
  ic categories and processed, or transported to
  processors,  for  remanufacturing. (U.S.  EPA,
  1994d)
Medical Waste: refers to any solid waste generat-
  ed in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization
  of human beings or animals, in research per-
  taining thereto, or in the production or testing
  of biologicals, excluding hazardous waste iden-
  tified or listed under 40 CFR Part 261 or any
  household  waste  as  defined  in 40  CFR
  Subsection 261.4 (b)(l). (U.S. EPA, 1994d)
Mill-Ready Gullet: refers to crushed and whole
  contaminant-free  scrap  container  glass  that
  complies with  the proper Institute of Scrap
  Recycling Industries,  Inc. glass specifications.
  (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries,  Inc.,
  1996)
Mining Waste: refers to  residues resulting from
  the extraction of raw materials from the earth.
  (Sullivan, 1993)
Minor Appliances: see Small Appliances.
Mixed Glass1: refers to recovered container glass
  that is not sorted into specific categories (color
  and grade).
Mixed Metals1: refers to recovered  metal that is
  not  sorted  into specific categories (aluminum
  cans, tin/steel cans, other ferrous, and  other
  nonferrous).
Mixed Municipal Solid Waste1: refers to munici-
  pal solid waste that is not sorted into specific
  categories (plastics, glass, and yard trimmings).
Mixed Paper1: refers to recovered paper that is not
  sorted into  specific categories (old magazines,
  old  newspapers,  and old corrugated contain-
  ers).
Mixed Plastic1: refers to recovered plastic that is
  not  sorted  into  specific categories (HOPE,
  LDPE, and PETE).
Mulching1: refers to the process by which the vol-
  ume of organic waste is reduced through shred-
  ding or grinding.
Municipal Sludge:  refers to the semiliquid
  residue remaining from the treatment of munic-
  ipal water and wastewater. (U.S. EPA, 1989)
Municipal Solid Waste  (MSW): refers to wastes
  such as durable goods, nondurable goods, con-
  tainers and packaging, food scraps, yard trim-
  mings,  and  miscellaneous inorganic wastes
  from residential, commercial, institutional, and
  industrial sources, such as appliances, automo-
  bile tires, old newspapers, clothing, disposable
  tableware, office  and classroom paper, wood
  pallets, and  cafeteria wastes.  Excludes  solid
  wastes from other sources, such as construction
  and  demolition debris, autobodies, municipal
  sludges, combustion ash, and industrial process
  wastes that might also be disposed of in munic-
  ipal  waste landfills or incinerators. (U.S. EPA,
  1996b)
Natural Disaster Debris1: refers to wastes result-
  ing from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, torna-
  dos,  and other  natural   disasters.  Excludes
  wastes  resulting  from heavy storms. Natural
  disaster debris is  classified as construction and
  demolition debris.
Nonferrous Metals: refers to nonmagnetic metals
  such as aluminum, lead, and copper. Products
  made from nonferrous metals include contain-
  ers and packaging such as beverage cans, food
  and  other nonfood cans; nonferrous metals
  found in appliances, furniture, electronic equip-
  ment; and nonpackaging  aluminum products
  (foil, closures, and lids from  bimetal cans).
  Excludes lead-acid batteries and  nonferrous
  metals from  industrial applications and con-
  struction  and  demolition  debris.  (U.S.  EPA,
  1996b)
 Nonhazardous Industrial Process Waste: refers
  to waste that is neither municipal solid waste
  nor  considered  a hazardous waste under
  Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and
  Recovery Act, such as certain types of manufac-
  turing wastes and wastewaters.  (U.S.  EPA,
  1996a)
Office  Paper1: refers to high-grade papers such as
  copier  paper, computer  printout, and  sta-
  tionery. These papers are almost entirely made
  of uncoated  chemical pulp, although some
  amounts of groundwood are used. It should be
  noted that this category of paper also is gener-
  ated at locations  other than offices, such as
  homes and institutions (schools).
Oil and Gas Waste: refers to gas and oil drilling
  muds, oil production brines, and other wastes
  associated with the exploration, development,
   Appendix A

-------
  or production of crude oil or natural gas. (U.S.
  EPA, 1995a)
Old Corrugated Containers (OCC): refers to cor-
  rugated  containers made  from unbleached,
  unwaxed paper with a ruffled (corrugated)
  inner liner. (U.S. EPA, 1993a)
Old Magazines: refers to dry, coated magazines,
  catalogues, and similar  printed  materials.
  (Institute  of Scrap Recycling Industries,  Inc.,
  1996)
Old Newspaper: refers to periodicals printed on
  newsprint.  Includes  groundwood  inserts
  (advertisements).  Examples  of   recycling
  include processing old newspapers into  new
  boxboard,
  1996b)
Other Ferrous Metals: refers to ferrous metals
  from strapping, furniture, and metal found in
  tires and consumer electronics. Excludes  the
  large quantities of metals found in construction
  materials or transportation products, such as
  automobiles, locomotives, and ships. (U.S.
  EPA, 1996b)
Other Glass: refers to glass from furniture, appli-
  ances, and consumer electronics. Excludes glass
  from transportation products and construction
  and demolition debris. Examples of recycling
  include processing glass into new glass prod-
  ucts such as containers, construction materials
  (aggregate), or  fiberglass (insulation). (U.S.
  EPA, 1996b)
Other Nonferrous Metals: refers to  nonferrous
  metals (lead, copper, and zinc) from appliances,
  consumer electronics, and nonpackaging alu-
  minum products (foil, closures, and aluminum
  lids from bimetal cans).  Excludes  nonferrous
  metals from industrial applications  and con-
  struction and demolition debris.  (U.S. EPA,
  1996b)
Other Paper: refers to paper from books, third
  class mail, other commercial  printing, paper
  towels, paper plates and cups, other nonpack-
  aging  paper (posters, photographic papers,
  cards, and games), milk cartons, folding boxes
  (cereal boxes),  bags, wrapping papers,  and
  other  paper and paperboard  products. (U.S.
  EPA, 1996b)
Other Plastic: refers to plastic from appliances,
  furniture, trash bags,  cups, eating utensils,
  sporting and recreational equipment, and other
  nonpackaging  plastic  products.  (U.S. EPA,
  1996b)
Other  Recyclables1: refers  to  household  haz-
  ardous waste, oil filters, fluorescent tubes, mat-
  tresses,  consumer electronics, circuit boards,
  and other miscellaneous recyclable items found
  in municipal solid waste that cannot be other-
  wise categorized.
Other Solid Waste:  refers to nonhazardous solid
  wastes,  other than municipal solid waste, cov-
  ered  under Subtitle   D  of the Resource
  Conservation  and Recovery Act,  such  as
  municipal sludge, industrial nonhazardous
  waste, construction and demolition waste, agri-
  cultural waste, oil and  gas waste, and mining
  waste. (U.S. EPA,  1996b)
Other Wood: refers to wood from furniture, cabi-
  nets from consumer electronics, and other non-
  packaging wood products. Excludes wood
  recovered from construction and demolition
  activities (lumber and tree stumps) and indus-
  trial  process waste (shavings and sawdust).
  Examples of recycling include processing wood
  into mulch, compost additive, or animal bed-
  ding.  (U.S. EPA, 1996b)
Overissue Publications (Overissues)1: refers to
  printed publications, such as newspapers and
  magazines, that are defined as unsold invento-
  ry by the publisher. Overissues are not consid-
  ered postconsumer waste.
Pallet: refers to a portable  platform made of wood
  or plastic lumber used for storing or moving
  cargo or freight. (National Wooden Pallet and
  Container Association)
Paper:  refers to paper products and materials
  such as old newspapers, old magazines, office
  papers,  telephone directories, old corrugated
  containers, bags, and some paperboard packag-
  ing. Examples of  recycling include processing
  paper into new paper products (tissue, paper-
  board, hydromulch, animal bedding, or insula-
  tion materials). (U.S. EPA, 1996b)
Paper Processor1: refers to an intermediate oper-
  ating  facility where recovered paper products
  and materials are sorted, cleaned of contami-

-------
  nants,  and  prepared  for  final  recycling.
  Examples  include  paper  stock  dealers  and
  paper packers.
PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate): refers  to a
  thermoplastic material used  to  manufacture
  plastic soft drink containers and rigid contain-
  ers. PETE has a high melting point, is clear in its
  natural state, and has a relatively high density.
  (U.S.  EPA, 1995c)
Plastic:  refers to plastic containers and packaging
  made from various  resins,  including  PETE,
  HOPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, and PS. Excludes plas-
  tics in transportation  (automobiles)  and  con-
  struction products  (PVC piping). (U.S. EPA,
  1996b)
Plastic Processor1:  refers to an intermediate oper-
  ating facility where recovered plastic products
  and materials are sorted, cleaned of contami-
  nants,  and  prepared  for  final  recycling.
  Examples include plastics handlers and plastics
  reclaimers.
Plastics Handler: refers to companies that prepare
  recyclable  plastics by sorting, baling,  shred-
  ding, granulating, and/or storing plastics until
  a sufficient quantity is  on hand.  (American
  Plastics Council, 1996)
Plastics Reclaimer: refers to companies that fur-
  ther process plastics after the handling stage by
  performing at least one of the following func-
  tions:  washing/cleaning, pelletizing, or  pro-
  ducing a  new  product. (American Plastics
  Council, 1996)
Postconsumer Materials/Waste: refers  to  recov-
  ered materials that have been used  as  a  con-
  sumer item and are diverted from municipal
  solid  waste for the purpose of collection, recy-
  cling, and disposition (aluminum  beverage
  cans,  plastic bottles, old newspapers, and yard
  trimmings). Excludes materials from industrial
  processes that have not reached the consumer,
  such  as glass broken in  the  manufacturing
  process or overissues of newspapers and maga-
  zines. (U.S. EPA, 1994d, 1995c)
PP (Polypropylene): refers to a plastic polymer
  formed by linking propylene molecules.  PP has
  good resistance  to heat and is used in flexible
  and rigid packaging, film, and textiles. (U.S.
  EPA,  1995c)
Preconsumer Materials/Waste: refers to materials
  generated  in  manufacturing  and  converting
  processes,  such as manufacturing scrap and
  trimmings/cuttings. Also includes print over-
  runs, overissue publications (newspapers and
  magazines),  and  obsolete inventories. (U.S.
  EPA, 1995c)
Print Overruns: refers to a quantity of paper that
  is printed  beyond  the  quantity specified.
  (Walden-Mott, 1981)
Processors1: refers to intermediate operators that
  handle recyclable materials from collectors and
  generators for the purpose of preparing materi-
  als for  recycling (material recovery facilities,
  scrap metal yards, paper dealers, and glass
  beneficiation plants). Processors act as interme-
  diaries  between collectors and end users  of
  recovered materials.
PS  (Polystyrene): refers to a plastic polymer
  formed by linking styrene molecules. PS is used
  to make a variety of products including plastic
  cutlery  and food containers. It is often used in
  its foamed state. (U.S. EPA, 1995c)
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): refers to the family of
  plastic copolymers, also known as vinyl. PVC is
  used to make products such as pipes, bottles,
  upholstery, and automotive parts.  (U.S. EPA,
  1995c)
Recovery: refers to the diversion of materials from
  the municipal solid waste stream for the pur-
  pose of recycling or composting. Excludes reuse
  and source reduction activities such as yard
  trimmings diverted to backyard (onsite) com-
  posting, the repair of wood pallets, and the
  refilling of beverage containers.  (U.S. EPA
  1996b)
Recyclables: refers to those materials recovered
  from the solid waste stream and transported to
  a processor or end user for recycling. (National
  Recycling Coalition, 1995)
Recycling: refers to  the series  of activities by
  which discarded materials are collected, sorted,
  processed, and converted into  raw materials
  and used in the production of new products.
  Excludes the use of these materials as a fuel sub-
  stitute  or  for  energy production.  (National
  Recycling Coalition, 1995)
   Appendix A

-------
Recycling Plant1: refers to a facility where recov-
  ered materials are remanufactured into new
  products.
Redemption Program1: refers to a program where
  consumers are monetarily compensated for the
  collection  of  recyclable materials, generally
  through pre-paid deposits or taxes on beverage
  containers. In some states or localities, legisla-
  tion has been passed to implement redemption
  programs to assist in the prevention of roadside
  litter (bottle bills).
Residential Waste: refers  to waste generated by
  single- and multi-family homes including  old
  newspapers, clothing,  disposable  tableware,
  food packaging, cans and bottles, food scraps,
  and yard trimmings. Excludes food scraps and
  yard trimmings that are diverted to backyard
  (onsite) composting. (U.S. EPA, 1996b)
Residues: refers to the materials remaining after
  processing, incineration, composting, or recy-
  cling have been completed. Residues are usual-
  ly disposed of in landfills. (U.S. EPA, 1989)
Respondent1: refers to the state, locality, or indi-
  vidual that completes a recycling measurement
  survey form.
Reuse: refers to the use of a product or compo-
  nent of municipal  solid waste in its original
  form more than once. Examples include refill-
  ing glass or plastic bottles, repairing wood pal-
  lets, using corrugated or plastic containers for
  storage, and returning milk crates. (U.S. EPA,
  1994d)
Scrap Metal Processor1: refers  to an intermediate
  operating  facility where recovered metal is
  sorted, cleaned of contaminants, and prepared
  for final  recycling. Examples include scrap
  metal yards and scrap metal dealers.
Small (Minor) Appliances: refers to many differ-
  ent types, sizes, and styles of electric fans, cof-
  fee makers,  electric irons,  food mixers, etc.
  Aluminum  and  plastic are  the predominant
  materials used in small appliances. (U.S. EPA,
  1995d)
Source Reduction: refers to the design, manufac-
  ture, purchase, or  use  of materials, such  as
  products and packaging, to reduce the amount
  or toxicity of materials before they enter  the
  municipal solid  waste  management system,
  such as redesigning products or packaging to
  reduce the quantity of materials or the toxicity
  of the materials used; reusing products or pack-
  aging already manufactured; and lengthening
  the life  of products  to  postpone  disposal.
  Examples include donating food to food banks,
  diverting food  scraps and yard trimmings
  through backyard (onsite)  composting,  and
  reusing plastic pallets. Also referred to as waste
  prevention. (U.S. EPA 1996b)

Surveyor1: refers to the state, locality, or individ-
  ual responsible  for the collection of recycling
  measurement data through the use of  survey
  forms.
Telephone Directories1: refers to telephone direc-
  tories printed on paper with high groundwood
  content. Other directories, such as zip code and
  area code directories, are included in this cate-
  gory when they are printed on the same type of
  paper.
Textiles: refers  to fibers from  discarded apparel,
  furniture, linens (sheets and towels),  and car-
  pets. Examples of recycling  include converting
  apparel and linens into wiper rags and process-
  ing textiles into new products (linen paper or
  carpet padding). (U.S. EPA,  1996b)
Tin/Steel Cans: refers to tin-coated steel contain-
  ers such as cans used for food packaging. (U.S.
  EPA, 1993a)
Tire Processor1: refers to an  intermediate operat-
  ing facility where recovered tires are processed
  in preparation for recycling.
Tires: refers to passenger  car and light-  and
  heavy-duty  truck tires. Excludes  high-speed
  industrial tires (from  airplanes), bus tires,
  motorcycle tires, and special service tires, such
  as military,  agricultural,  off-road, and slow-
  speed industrial tires (from construction vehi-
  cles).  Examples of recycling include processing
  car and truck tires into new rubber products
  (trash cans, storage containers, and rubberized
  asphalt), and the use of whole tires for play-
  ground and reef construction. (U.S. EPA, 1994b)
Transfer Station: refers to a facility where solid
  waste is transferred from collection vehicles to
  larger trucks or rail cars for longer  distance
  transport. (U.S. Congress,  1989)

-------
Tree Stumps: refers to the portion of a  tree
  remaining after it has been cut. Tree stumps are
  categorized as yard trimmings when found in
  municipal solid waste. Otherwise, tree stumps
  are generally found in, and categorized as, con-
  struction  and  demolition debris. (Mish et  al.,
  1988)
Unit-Based  Pricing/Pay-As-You-Throw: refers to
  a system under which residents pay for munic-
  ipal  solid waste management services per unit
  of waste (by weight or volume) collected rather
  than through a fixed fee.  (U.S. EPA, 1994c)
Used Oil1: refers to spent motor oil from passen-
  ger cars and trucks that is collected at specified
  locations for recycling. Used oil is excluded from
  the category of municipal solid waste.
Waste  Characterization  Studies:  refers to  the
  identification and measurement  (by weight or
  volume)  of specific categories  of municipal
  solid waste materials (glass, plastic, and metals)
  for the  purpose of projecting landfill  capacity,
  determining best management  practices  and
  developing  cost-effective recycling programs.
  (U.S. EPA, 1996b)
Waste  Generation:  refers to the amount (weight
  or volume) of materials and products that enter
  the waste stream before recycling, composting,
  landfilling,  or  combustion takes  place.  (U.S.
  EPA 1996b)
Waste  Stream: refers to  the total  flow of solid
  waste from homes, businesses, institutions, and
  manufacturing plants that must be recycled,
  incinerated, or disposed  of in landfills; or any
  segment thereof, such as  the "residential waste
  stream" or the "recyclable waste  stream." (U.S.
  EPA, 1989)
Waste-To-Energy Facility/Combustor: refers to a
  facility where recovered municipal solid waste
  is converted into a  usable  form of energy,
  usually through combustion. (U.S. EPA, 1995b)
White  Goods: refers to major appliances such as
  refrigerators,  stoves,  air conditioners,  and
  washing machines. Also see Major Appliances
  and  Bulky Waste. (U.S. EPA, 1989)
White  Ledger: refers  to printed  or unprinted
  sheets of white  sulphite or sulphate ledger,
  bond, writing paper, and all other papers which
  have a similar fiber and filler content. (Institute
  of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc., 1994)
Wood Packaging: refers to wood products such as
  pallets, crates, and barrels. Excludes wood from
  furniture and other nonpackaging wood prod-
  ucts. Examples of recycling include processing
  wood into new products (mulch and compost).
  (U.S. EPA, 1996b)
Yard Trimmings: refers to grass, leaves,  tree
  branches and brush, and tree stumps from resi-
  dential, institutional, and commercial sources.
  Examples of recycling include processing yard
  trimmings into compost, mulch, or other simi-
  lar uses, and landspreading leaves (when the
  depth of the application allows for degradation
  of the organic plant material). (U.S. EPA, 1996b)
Yard Trimmings Processor1: refers to an interme-
  diate  operating facility where recovered yard
  trimmings are sorted, cleaned of contaminants,
  and prepared for final recycling.
   Appendix A

-------
GLOSSARY REFERENCES


American Plastics Council. 1996. Letter commu-
  nicating definitions. October.

Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. 1996.
  Scrap Specifications Circular 1996: Guidelines
  for Nonferrous Scrap, Ferrous Scrap, Glass
  Gullet, Paper Stock, Plastic Scrap. Institute of
  Scrap Recycling Industries, Washington, DC.

Mish et al, eds. 1988. Webster's Ninth New
  Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, MA:
  Merriam-Webster, Inc.
National Recycling Coalition. 1995. Definitions
  Approved By the National Recycling Coalition
  Board of Directors.
National Wooden Pallet and Container
  Association (NWPCA). An Introduction to
  Wood Pallets. NWPCA, Arlington, VA.
Sullivan, T.F.P  1993.  Environmental Regulatory
  Glossary, Sixth Edition.  Rockville, MD:
  Government Institutes, Inc.

U.S. Congress.  1989.  Facing America's Trash:
  What Next for Municipal Solid Waste. OTA-O-
  424. Washington, DC.

U.S. EPA. 1989. Decision-Makers Guide to Solid
  Waste Management. EPA530-SW-89-072.
  Washington, DC.

U.S. EPA. 1991a. Environmental Fact Sheet: Yard
  Waste Composting. EPA530-SW-91-009.
  Washington, DC.

U.S. EPA. 1991b. Solid Waste Disposal Facility
  Criteria; Final Rule. Fed. Reg. Part II: 40 CFR
  Parts 257 and 258.56(196)50,978-51,119.
  October 9.
U.S. EPA. 1991c. Summary of Markets for Scrap
  Tires. EPA530-90-074B. Washington, DC.
U.S. EPA. 1992. The Consumer's Handbook  for
  Reducing Solid Waste. EPA530-K-92-003.
  Washington, DC.

U.S. EPA. 1993a. Business Guide for Reducing
  Solid Waste.  EPA530-K-92-004. Washington, DC.
U.S. EPA. 1993b. Household Hazardous Waste: A
  Manual for One-Day Community Collection
  Programs. EPA530-R-92-026. Washington,  DC.
U.S. EPA. 1994a. Composting Yard Trimmings
  and Municipal Solid Waste. EPA530-R-94-003.
  Washington, DC.

U.S. EPA. 1994b. Comprehensive Guideline for
  Procurement of Products Containing
  Recovered Materials and Issuance of a Draft
  Recovered Materials Advisory Notice:
  Proposed Rule and Notice. Fed. Reg.
  59(76):18,852-18,887. April 20.

U.S. EPA. 1994c. Pay-As-You-Throw: Lessons
  Learned About Unit Pricing. EPA530-R-94-004.
  Washington, DC.

U.S. EPA. 1994d. Terms of the Environment:
  Glossary, Abbreviations, and Acronyms.
  EPA175-B-94-015. Washington, DC.
U.S. EPA. 1995a. Crude Oil and Natural Gas
  Exploration and Production Wastes:
  Exemption from RCRA Subtitle C Regulation.
  EPA530-K-95-003. Washington, DC.
U.S. EPA. 1995b. Decision-Makers' Guide to
  Solid Waste Management, Volume II.
  EPA530-R-95-023. Washington, DC.
U.S. EPA. 1995c. Manufacturing from
  Recyclables: 24 Case Studies of Successful
  Recycling Enterprises. EPA530-R-95-001.
  Washington, DC.

U.S. EPA. 1995d. Methodology for
  Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in
  the United States: 1994 Update. Report pre-
  pared by Franklin Associates, LTD.
  Washington, DC.
U.S. EPA. 1996a. Building a New State/EPA
  Industrial Solid Waste Initiative. Washington,
  DC.
U.S. EPA. 1996b. Characterization of Municipal
  Solid Waste in The United States: 1996 Update.
  EPA530-R-97-015. Washington, DC.
Walden-Mott Corporation. 1981. Walden's
  Handbook for Paper Salespeople & Buyers of
  Printing Paper, Second Edition. Oradell, NJ:
  Walden-Mott Corporation.

-------
tandard Volume-to-Weight
onv
^ >^li^^» fc

Category Recyclable Materials
(u/c = uncompacted/
compacted & baled)
FOOD SCRAPSA Food scraps, solid and liquid fats
GLASS Bottles8:
Whole bottles
Semicrushed
Crushed (mechanically)
Uncrushed to manually broken
Refillable Whole Bottlesc:
Refillable beer bottles
Refillable soft drink bottles
8 oz glass container
LEAD-ACID BATTERIES Car0
TruckE

MotorcycleE

METALS Aluminum CansF:
Whole
Compacted (manually)
Uncompacted

Ferrous (tin coated steel cans)G:
Whole
Flattened
Whole
Major AppliancesE:
Air conditioners (room)
Dishwashers
Dryers (clothes)
Volume


55-gal drum

1 yd3
1 yd3
1 yd3
55-gal drum

1 case = 24 bottles
1 case = 24 bottles
1 case = 24 bottles
1 battery
1 battery

1 battery


1 yd3
1 yd3
1 full grocery bag
1 case = 24 cans

1 yd3
1 yd3
1 case = 6 cans

1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
Estimated Weight
(in pounds)

412

500-700
1,000-1,800
1,800-2,700
300

10-14
12-22
12
39.4 Ib
53.3 Ib lead and
plastic
9.5 Ib lead and
plastic

50-75
250-430
1.5
0.9

150
850
22

64.2
92
130

-------
Category Recyclable Materials
(u/c = uncompacted/
compacted & baled)
METALS (cont'd) Freezers
Microwave ovens
Ranges
Refrigerators
Washers (clothes)
Water heaters
PAPER NewspaperF:
Uncompacted
Compacted/baled
12 in. stack
Old Corrugated Containers'1:
Uncompacted
Compacted
Baled
Computer PaperF:
Uncompacted (stacked)
Compacted/baled
1 case
White LedgerF:
Stacked (u/c)
Crumpled (u/c)
Ream of 20# bond; 8-1/2 in. x 11 in.
Ream of 20# bond; 8-1/2 in. x 14 in.
White ledger pads
Tab CardsF:
Uncompacted
Compacted/baled
Miscellaneous Paper:
Yellow legal padsF
Colored message padsF
Telephone directories'
Mixed Ledger/Office PaperF:
Flat (u/c)
Crumpled (u/c)

Volume
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit

1 yd3
1 yd3
-

1 yd3
1 yd3
1 yd3

1 yd3
1 yd3
2,800 sheets

1 yd3
1 yd3
1 ream = 500 sheets
1 ream = 500 sheets
1 case = 72 pads

1 yd3
1 yd3

1 case = 72 pads
1 carton = 144 pads
1 yd3

1 yd3
1 yd3

Estimated Weight
(in pounds)
193
50
181.1
267
177
131

360-505
720-1,000
35

50-150 (300)H
300-500
700-1,100

655
1,310
42

375-465/755-925
110-205/325
5
6.4
38

605
1,215-1,350

38
22
250

380/755
110-205/610
60 Appendix B ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H

-------
Category
PLASTICJ
TEXTILES'

TIRES
Recyclable Materials
(u/c = uncompacted/
compacted & baled)

PET (Soda Bottles):

    Whole bottles (uncompacted)

    Whole bottles (compacted)

    Whole bottles (uncompacted)

    Baled

    Granulated

    Granulated

    8 bottles (2 L size)

HOPE (Dairy):

    Whole (uncompacted)

    Whole (compacted)

    Baled

HOPE (Mixed):

    Baled

    Granulated

    Granulated

Other Plastic:

    Uncompacted

    Compacted/baled

Mixed PET and HOPE (Dairy):

    Whole (uncompacted)

Film:

    Baled

    Baled

Mixed textiles

Car Tires:
Volume
Estimated Weight
  (in pounds)
1 yd3
1 yd3
gay lord
30 in. x 62 in.
semiload
gay lord
16 L
1 yd3
1 yd3
32 in. x 60 in.
32 in. x 60 in.
gay lord
semiload
1 yd3
1 yd3
30-40
515
40-53
500-550
30,000
700-750
1
24
270
400-500
900
800-1,000
42,000
50
400-700
                                                                  1 yd3
                        32
semiload                 44,000

30 in. x 42 in. x 48 in.     1,100

1 yd3                   175
Whole tireE
Crumb rubberK
Truck Tires:
Whole tireE
Crumb rubberK
WOOD Wood chips1
PalletsF
1 tire
1 tire

1 tire
1 tire
1 yd3
-
21
12

70
60
625
30-100 (40 avg.)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^H Standard Volume-to- Weight Conversion Factors 6 I

-------
 Category
 YARD TRIMMINGSF
 FURNISHINGSE
 MUNICIPAL
 SOLID WASTEM
Recyclable Materials
(u/c = uncompacted/
compacted & baled)
Grass Clippings:
Uncompacted
Compacted
Leaves:
Uncompacted
Compacted
Vacuumed
Foam rubber mattress
Residential waste
(uncompacted at curb)
Commercial-industrial waste
(uncompacted)
MSW (compacted in truck)
MSW (landfill density)
Volume

1 yd3
1 yd3

1 yd3
1 yd3
1 yd3
1 mattress
1 yd3

1 yd3

1 yd3
1 yd3
Estimated Weight
(in pounds)

350-450
550-1,500

200-250
300-450
350
55
150-300

300-600

500-1,000
750-1,250
Conversion Table Sources:
Alnformation obtained from Washington State.
B Draft National Recycling Coalition Measurement Standards and Reporting Guidelines presented to NRC membership.
 October 31, 1989.
c Personal communication with a representative from Allwaste. November 6, 1995.
DBattery Council International. 1995. 1994 National Recycling Rate Study.
E U.S. EPA. 1995. Methodology for Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1994 Update. EPA530-R-96-
 001. Washington, DC.
F U.S. EPA. 1993. Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste. EPA530-K-92-004. Washington, DC.
GPersonal communication with a representative from the Steel Recycling Institute. November 1, 1995.
Hlnformation obtained from New Jersey and New York States.
' Information obtained from Massachusetts State.
J Personal communication with a representative from the American Plastics Council. November 2, 1995.
K Personal communication with a representative from the Scrap  Tire Management Council. November 6, 1995.
L Information obtained from Northeast Forest Products, Martin  Mulch Company, and the Solid Waste Association of North
 America.
MSolid Waste Association of North America, Manager of Landfill Operations Training and  Certification Course. January 1989.
 Revised June 1991 and October 1994.
 Appendix B

-------
Introduction  to the  Survey  Forms
           The survey forms contained in this appendix are
           designed to help you obtain the municipal  solid
           waste (MSW) recycling and disposal data neces-
sary for calculating a standard recycling rate. The forms may
be used by states or localities that are measuring recycling for
the first time and want to use the standard methodology
outlined in this guide or those that wish to redesign their
current recycling measurement system according to the stan-
dard  methodology.
  There are  six survey forms in
total, each uniquely tailored for a
specific point in the waste manage-
ment system. Forms 1-3 allow for
the  collection  of data  on the
amount of MSW recycled in your
state or locality and address collec-
tors, processors, and end users of
recyclables, respectively. Forms 4-6
allow for the collection of data on
the amount of MSW disposed of in
your state or locality and address
waste  collectors, transfer stations,
and disposal facilities, respectively.
In addition to MSW, each survey
form also allows data to be collect-
ed on materials not considered to
be MSW (referred to as "other solid
waste" and "other recyclables").
  As discussed in Section 4, deter-
mining who to survey is a critical
step in the design of your recycling
measurement system, and you are
allowed flexibility in  selecting
which points in the chain to survey.
In order to obtain data on both
MSW recycling and disposal, you
will want to use two of the survey
forms  at a minimum, one  from
each group. You may choose, how-
ever, to use more than two or even
all six of the survey forms, depend-
ing  on  your  particular surveying
approach. Table 13 describes each
of the survey forms, including the
purpose and who should complete
the form.
                                                                                Survey Forms

-------
TABLE  13.  SURVEY FORMS
SURVEY
FORM
Form 1
TITLE

Collectors of
WHO SHOULD COMPLETE
THE FORM
Private recycling haulers
PURPOSE

To collect data on


the amount of MSW
  Form 2
  Form 3
  Form 4
  Form 5
  Form 6
             Recyclables
Processors of
Recyclables
End Users of
Recyclables
Collectors of
MSW and
Other Solid
Waste
Transfer
Stations
Waste
Disposal
Facilities
Government agencies with collection
crews or contracts
Large generators that self-haul directly
to a processor or end user
Material recovery facilities (MRFs)
Buy-back centers
Drop-off centers
Scrap metal processors
Paper processors
Glass  beneficiation plants
Plastic processors
Tire processors
Yard trimmings processors
Transfer stations that recover recyclables
from waste on site
Public and private composting facilities
Recycling plants
Disposal facilities that recover
recyclables from waste on site

Private waste haulers
Government agencies with collection
crews or contracts
Large generators that self-haul directly
to a processor or end user
Public and private transfer stations
Public and private landfills
Public and private incinerators
Public and private waste-to-energy
facilities
recyclables and other recyclables collected
from residential and commercial sources in
your state or locality during the current
measurement year.

To collect data on the amount of MSW
recyclables and other recyclables from
residential and commercial  sources in your
state or locality processed during the current
measurement year by MRFs, buy-back
centers, and other processors.
To collect data on the amount of MSW
recyclables and other recyclables from
residential and commercial sources in your
state or locality accepted during the current
measurement year by recycling mills and
composting facilities.
To collect data on the amount of MSW and
other types of solid waste collected from
residential and commercial sources in your
state or locality during the current
measurement year.

To collect data on the amount of MSW and
other types of solid waste from residential
and commercial sources in your state or
locality processed during the current
measurement year by transfer stations.
To collect data on the amount of MSW and
other types of solid waste from residential
and commercial sources in your state or
locality accepted during  the current
measurement year by disposal facilities.
 Appendix C

-------
                     About  This   Form
        Collectors  of Recyclables
        Use this form to collect information on the amount of recyclable* collected from
        residential and commercial sources in your state or locality during the previous year.
         Who Should Fill Out This Form:
           Private Recycling Haulers.

           Government Agencies with Collection Crews or Collection Contracts.

           Large Generators (e.g., Grocery Stores, Retail Chains, Government Facilities) that
           Self-Haul Directly to a Processor or End User.
         Important Tips:
          1.  Send a cover letter with the survey form explaining the purpose of the form and how to fill it
            out. Remember to specify which sections of the form you want respondents to complete and
            which sections are optional. Use the sample cover letters provided as guides for developing your
            own.

          2.  Send the glossary and standard volume-to-weight conversion factors to all respondents.

          3.  Before mailing the form and cover letter to respondents, write in the name of your state or
            locality, reporting period, due date, and return address in the spaces provided at the top of the
            form.

          4.  Fill in the name of your state or locality throughout the form where indicated.
8/11/97

-------
Collectors of Recyclables

^t^^B
H


•
^|
•
^|
•
•
I
•
•
•
^H
•
1
H



H
i
8/11/97
To Be Completed by the Surveyor:
State or Locality:
Reporting Period: to
.
Return This Form to:
Return This Form by: / /
'
Direct All Questions to: Name Telephone ( ")
.

Respondent Information (please type or print clearly):
Name of Company or Government Agency:
Address: Street
City Zip
Telephone: ( } FAX: ( }

Name of Contact: Title:
Are You a: D Private Hauler D Large Generator
D Government Agency With a Collection Crew or a Collection Contract

Certification
1 certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information reported in this form is accurate and truthful.

Name and Title Signature Date


-------
            I.   Instructions
            / Refer to the attached glossary for clarification of the terms used in this form.

            / Report all quantities in tons (1 ton=2,000 pounds). Use the attached volume-to-weight
              conversion factors to convert your data from cubic yards (or other unit of measure) to tons. If
              you used these conversion factors to convert your data, indicate "yes"  in the appropriate column.
              If you used other conversion factors, please identify the source in the comments section.

            / Estimate the breakdown of residential and commercial materials to the best of your ability.

            / Report any recyclables that were generated as a result of a natural disaster in Part 2B as
              construction and demolition (C&D) debris.

            / Report only quantities collected  during the reporting period stated above.
            2.   Recyclables Collection Data
  2
8/11/97
2A. Municipal solid waste (MSW) recyclables collectec
in during the sta
state or locality ~
MSW Recycling table for specific examples of wha
2A.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Commingled Materials
(describe in Comments section below)
Food Waste
I from residential and commercial sources
ted reporting period. Refer to the Scope of
t to include as recycling.
Source of Recyclable Material
Residential
(tons)


Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?


Commercial
(tons)


Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?


TOTAL
(tons)


Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries



































Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals




































-------
2A.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Source of Recyclable Material
Residential
(tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?
Commercial
(tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?
TOTAL
(tons)
Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other Paper
Subtotal Paper








































Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires























































Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood















Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings






























   3
8/11/97

-------
              2A.
              RECYCLABLE
              MATERIAL
                                                            Source of Recyclable Material
Residential
  (tons)
 Were EPA
Conversion
  Factors
  Used?
Commercial
  (tons)
 Were EPA
Conversion
  Factors
  Used?
TOTAL
(tons)
             Other Recyclables:
             Subtotal Other Recydables
             TOTAL (tons)
             Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
             If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.

             Explanation of estimates/Comments:  	
  4
8/11/97

-------
2B. Other types of recyclables collected from
during the stated reporting period.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
Agricultural Waste
Automobile Bodies
Combustion Ash
sources in
state or locality
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors Used?



AMOUNT RECEIVED (tons)



Construction and Demolition Debris:
Asphalt
Concrete
Metals
Natural disaster debris
Wood
Other C&D
Industrial Process Waste
Municipal Sewage Sludge
Preconsumer Waste
Used Oil
Other
TOTAL (tons)
























Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.
Explanation of estimates:



  5
8/11/97

-------
                     About  This  Form
        Processors of Recyclables

        Use this form to collect information on the amount of recyclables from residential
        and commercial sources in your state or locality processed during the previous year
        by material recovery facilities and other processors.
         Who Should Fill Out This Form:
              Scrap Metal Processors.

              Paper Processors.

              Glass Beneficiation Plants.

              Plastic Processors.

              Tire Processors.

              Material Recovery Facilities.
Yard Trimmings Processors.

Buy-Back Centers.

Drop-Off Centers.

Transfer Stations That Recover Recyclables
From Waste On Site.
          Important Tips:
          1. Send a cover letter with the survey form explaining the purpose of the form and how to fill it
            out. Remember to specify which sections of the form you want respondents to complete and
            which sections are optional. Use the sample cover letters provided as guides for developing
            your own.

          2. Send the glossary and standard volume-to-weight conversion factors to all respondents.

          3. Before mailing the form and cover letter to respondents, write in the name of your state or
            locality, reporting period, due date, and return address in the spaces provided at the top of the
            form.

          4. Fill in the name of your state or locality throughout the form where indicated.
8/11/97

-------
        Processors of Recyclables
          To Be Completed by the Surveyor:
          State or Locality:
          Reporting Period:
to
          Return This Form to:
          Return This Form by:
          Direct All Questions to:  Name.
            Telephone (  )
Respondent Information (please type or print clearly):
Name of Company or Government Agency:
Address: Street
City
Telephone: ( }

Name of Contact:
Are You a: D Scrap Metal Processor
D Glass Beneficiation Plant
D Material Recovery Facility
D Tire Processor
Zip
FAX:f ^

Title:
D Paper Processor D
D Plastic Processor D
D Buy-Back Center
D Yard Trimmings Processor




Drop-Off Center
Other

          Certification
           certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information reported in this form is accurate and truthful.
          Name and Title
  Signature
Date
  1
8/11/97

-------
            I.   Instructions
            / Refer to the attached glossary for clarification of the terms used in this form.

            / Report all quantities in tons (1 ton=2,000 pounds). Use the attached volume-to-weight
              conversion factors to convert your data from cubic yards (or other unit of measure) to tons. If
              you used these conversion factors to convert your data, indicate "yes"  in the appropriate column.
              If you used other conversion factors, please identify the source in the comments section.

            / Estimate the breakdown of residential and commercial materials to the best of your ability.

            / Report any recyclables that were generated as a result of a natural disaster in Part 2B as
              construction and demolition (C&D) debris.

            / Report only quantities received during the reporting period stated above.
            2.   Recyclables Processing Data
  2
8/11/97
2A. Municipal solid waste (MSW) recyclables receivec
in during the s
state or locality
MSW Recycling table for specific examples of wh;
2A.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Commingled Materials
(describe in Comments section below)
Food Waste
from residential and commercial sources
tated reporting period. Refer to the Scope of
it to include as recycling.
Source of Recyclable Material
Residential
(tons)


Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?


Commercial
(tons)


Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?


TOTAL
(tons)


Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries



































Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals




































-------
2A.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Source of Recyclable Material
Residential
(tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?
Commercial
(tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?
TOTAL
(tons)
Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other Paper
Subtotal Paper








































Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires























































Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood















Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings






























   3
8/11/97

-------
              2A.
              RECYCLABLE
              MATERIAL
                                                            Source of Recyclable Material
Residential
  (tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
 Factors
  Used?
Commercial
  (tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
 Factors
  Used?
TOTAL
(tons)
             Other Recyclables:
              Subtotal Other Recyclables
             TOTAL (tons)
             Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
             If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.

             Explanation of estimates/Comments: 	
  4
8/11/97

-------
2B. Other types of recyclables received from s<
during the stated reporting period.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
Agricultural Waste
Automobile Bodies
Combustion Ash
Durces in
state or locality
Were EPA
Conversion Factors
Used?



AMOUNT PROCESSED (tons)



Construction and Demolition Debris:
Asphalt
Concrete
Metals
Natural Disaster Debris
Wood
Other C&D
Industrial Process Waste
Municipal Sewage Sludge
Preconsumer Waste
Used Oil
Other
TOTAL (tons)
























Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.
Explanation of estimates:



  5
8/11/97

-------
                     About This  Form
        End Users of Recyclables

        Use this form to collect information on the amount of recyclables from residential
        and commercial sources in your state or locality accepted during the previous year
        by recycling mills and composting facilities.
         Who Should Fill Out This Form:
           Public and Private Composting Facilities.

           Recycling Plants and Other End Users.

           Disposal Facilities That Recover Recyclables From Waste On Site.
         Important Tips:
         1. Send a cover letter with the survey form explaining the purpose of the form and how to fill it
           out. Remember to specify which sections of the form you want respondents to complete and
           which sections are optional. Use the sample cover letters provided as guides for developing your
           own.

         2. Send the glossary and standard volume-to-weight conversion factors to all respondents.

         3. Before mailing the form and cover letter to respondents, write in the name of your state or
           locality, reporting period, due date, and return address in the spaces provided at the top of the
           form.

         4. Fill in the name of your state or locality throughout the form where indicated.
8/11/97

-------
End Users of Recyclables
H
1

HI
\
•
^|
•
^|
•
•
I
•
•
•
^H
•
•
^H
•

H

H
i
8/11/97
To Be Completed by the Surveyor:
State or Locality:
Reporting Period: to

Return This Form to:
Return This Form by: / /
'
Direct All Questions to: Name Telephone ( ")
.

Respondent Information (please type or print clearly):
Name of Company or Government Agency:
Address: Street
City Zip
Telephone: f ^ FAX: ( }

Name of Contact: Title:
Are You a: D Composting Facility D Recycling Plant D Disposal Facility
D Other


Certification
1 certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information reported in this form is accurate and truthful.

Name and Title Signature Date


-------
            I.   Instructions
            / Refer to the attached glossary for clarification of the terms used in this form.

            / Report all quantities in tons (1 ton=2,000 pounds). Use the attached volume-to-weight
              conversion factors to convert your data from cubic yards (or other unit of measure) to tons. If
              you used these conversion factors to convert your data, indicate "yes" in the appropriate column.
              If you used other conversion factors, please identify the source in the comments section.

            / Estimate the breakdown of residential and commercial materials to the best of your ability.

            / Report any recyclables that were generated as a result of a natural disaster in Part 2B as
              construction and demolition (C&D) debris.

            / Report only quantities received during the reporting period stated above.
            2.   Recycling Data
  2
8/11/97
2A. Municipal solid waste (MSW) recyclables received
in during t
state or locality ~
MSW Recycling table for specific examples of wh;
2A.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Commingled Materials
(describe in Comments section below)
Food Waste
from residential and commercial sources
ie stated reporting period. Refer to the Scope of
it to include as recycling.
Source of Recyclable Material
Residential
(tons)


Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?


Commercial
(tons)


Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?


TOTAL
(tons)


Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries



































Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals




































-------
2A.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Source of Recyclable Material
Residential
(tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?
Commercial
(tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?
TOTAL
(tons)
Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other Paper
Subtotal Paper








































Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires























































Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood















Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings






























   3
8/11/97

-------
              2A.
              RECYCLABLE
              MATERIAL
                                                            Source of Recyclable Material
Residential
  (tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
 Factors
  Used?
Commercial
  (tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
 Factors
  Used?
TOTAL
(tons)
             Other Recyclables:
             Subtotal Other Recyclables
             TOTAL (tons)
             Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
             If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.

             Explanation of estimates/Comments: 	
  4
8/11/97

-------
2B. Other types of recyclables received from
during the stated reporting period.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
Agricultural Waste
Automobile Bodies
Combustion Ash
sources in
state or locality
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors Used?



AMOUNT RECEIVED (tons)



Construction and Demolition Debris:
Asphalt
Concrete
Metals
Natural Disaster Debris
Wood
Other C&D
Industrial Process Waste
Municipal Sewage Sludge
Preconsumer Waste
Used Oil
Other
TOTAL (tons)
























Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.
Explanation of estimates:



  5
8/11/97

-------
                    About This Form
       Collectors of Municipal Solid Waste
       (MSW)  and Other Solid Waste
       Use this form to collect information on the amount of MSW and other types of solid
       waste collected from residential and commercial sources in your state or locality
       during the previous year.
         Who Should Fill Out This Form:
           Private Waste Haulers.

           Government Agencies with Collection Crews or Collection Contracts.

           Large Generators (e.g., Grocery Stores, Retail Chains, Government Facilities) that
           Self-Haul Directly to a Processor or End User.
         Important Tips:
         1. Send a cover letter with the survey form explaining the purpose of the form and how to fill it
           out. Remember to specify which sections of the form you want respondents to complete and
           which sections are optional. Use the sample cover letters provided as guides for developing your
           own.

         2. Send the glossary and standard volume-to-weight conversion factors to all respondents.

         3. Before mailing the form and cover letter to respondents, write in the name of your state or
           locality, reporting period, due date, and return address in the spaces provided at the top of the
           form.

         4. Fill in the name of your state or locality throughout the form where indicated.
8/11/97

-------
Collectors of Municipal Solid Waste
(MSW) and Other Solid Waste
^1 •^B

H
^M

•
^|
•
^H
•
•
I
•
•
•
^H
•



u

EJ
1
1
8/11/97
To Be Completed by the Surveyor:
State or Locality:
Reporting Period: to

Return This Form to:
Return This Form by: / /
'
Direct All Questions to: Name Telephone ( }


Respondent Information (please type or print clearly):
Name of Company or Government Agency:
Address: Street
City Zip
Telephone: ( } FAX: ( }

Name of Contact: Title:
Are You a: D Private Hauler D Large Generator
D Government Agency With a Collection Crew or a Collection Contract

Certification
1 certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information reported in this form is accurate and truthful.

Name and Title Signature Date


-------
I.   Instructions
/ Refer to the attached glossary for clarification of the terms used in this form.

/ Report all quantities in tons (1 ton=2,000 pounds). Use the attached volume-to-weight
  conversion factors to convert your data from cubic yards (or other unit of measure) to tons. If
  you used these conversion factors to convert your data, indicate "yes"  in the appropriate column.
  If you used other conversion factors, please identify the source in the comments section.

/ Estimate the breakdown of residential and commercial materials to the best of your ability.

/ Report any wastes that were generated as a result of a natural disaster in Part 2C and 2D as
  Other Solid Waste.

/ Report only quantities collected during the reporting period stated above.
1 2. Waste Data
9
2
8/11/97

2A. Municipal solid waste (MSW) collected from residen!
in dur
state or locality
stations or disposal facilities (e.g., landfills, incinerate
Refer to the attached Scope of MSW table for exam
TYPE OF NSW
Residential
Commercial
TOTAL (tons)
Are any of the repor
If they are estimates,
Explanation of estim
Amount Hauled
to a Transfer
Station or Disposal
Facility in
state or locality



Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?



tial and commercial sources
ing the stated reporting period and hauled to transfer
rs, and waste-to-energy facilities).
pies of what to include as MSW.
Amount Exported
to a Transfer
Station or Disposal
Facility Outside of
state or locality



Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?



TOTAL (tons)



ted quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
explain how they were determined below.
ates:









-------
3
8/11/97
2B. MSW collected from residential and commercial sources outside of
state or locality
during the stated reporting period but hauled to a transfer station or disposal facility
in
state or locality
IMPORTS
TYPE OF MSW Were EPA Conversion
Factors Used?
Residential
Commercial
TOTAL (tons)



TOTAL (tons)



Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.
Explanation of estimates:




2C. Other types of solid waste collected from sources
stated reporting period. Refer to the attached Sc
Other Solid Waste.
OTHER SOLID WASTE
Agricultural Waste
Combustion Ash
Construction and Demolition
Debris
Food Processing Waste
Industrial Process Waste
Medical Waste
Municipal Sewage Sludge
Natural Disaster Debris
Other
TOTAL (tons)
Amount Hauled
to a
Transfer Station
or Disposal
Facility in
state or locality










in durir
state or locality
ope of MSW table for examples of what to in
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?










Amount Exported
to a
Transfer Station
or Disposal
Facility Outside of
state or locality










Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?










ig the
elude as
TOTAL
(tons)










Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.
Explanation of estimates:





-------
             2D. Other solid waste collected from sources outside of
                                                                                     state or locality
                 during the stated reporting period but hauled to a transfer station or disposal facility
                 in
                                    state or locality
             IMPORTS
             OTHER SOLID WASTE
   Were EPA
Conversion Factors
     Used?
TOTAL (tons)
             Agricultural Waste
             Combustion Ash
             Construction and Demolition Debris
             Food Processing Waste
             Industrial Process Waste
             Medical Waste
             Municipal Sewage Sludge
             Natural Disaster Debris
             Other
             TOTAL (tons)
              Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
              If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.

              Explanation of estimates:  	
  4
8/11/97

-------
                    About  This  Form
        Transfer Stations
        Use this form to collect information on the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW)
        and other types of solid waste from residential and commercial sources in your state
        or locality processed during the previous year by transfer stations.
         Who Should Fill Out This Form:
           Public and Private Transfer Stations
         Important Tips:
         1. Send a cover letter with the survey form explaining the purpose of the form and how to fill it
           out. Remember to specify which sections of the form you want respondents to complete and
           which sections are optional. Use the sample cover letters provided as guides for developing your
           own.

         2. Send the glossary and standard volume-to-weight conversion factors to all respondents.

         3. Before mailing the form and cover letter to respondents, write in the name of your state or
           locality, reporting period, due date, and return address in the spaces provided at the top of the
           form.

         4. Fill in the name of your state or locality throughout the form where indicated.
8/11/97

-------
Transfer Stations
m
PI
H


1
^H
•
^H
•
•
I
•
•
•
^H
•
•
I



i
8/11/97
To Be Completed by the Surveyor:
State or Locality:
Reporting Period: to

Return This Form to:
Return This Form by: / /
'
Direct All Questions to: Name Telephone ( }


Respondent Information (please type or print clearly):
Name of Company or Government Agency:
Address: Street
City Zip
Telephone: ( } FAX: ( }

Name of Contact: Title:

Certification
1 certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information reported in this form is accurate and truthful.

Name and Title Signature Date


-------
             I.    Instructions
            / Refer to the attached glossary for clarification of the terms used in this form.

            / Report all quantities in tons (1 ton=2,000 pounds). Use the attached volume-to-weight
               conversion factors to convert your data from cubic yards (or other unit of measure) to tons. If
               you used these conversion factors to convert your data, indicate "yes" in the appropriate column.
               If you used other conversion factors, please identify the source in the comments section.

            / Estimate the breakdown of residential and commercial materials to the best of your ability.

            / Report any wastes that were generated as a result of a natural disaster in Part 2C and 2D as
               Other Solid Waste.

            / Report only quantities received during the reporting period stated above.
2. Waste Data
2A. Municipal solid waste (MSW) received from resk
in during
state or locality ~
facilities (e.g., landfills, incinerators, and waste-to
Refer to the attached Scope of MSW table for e>
TYPE OF
NSW
Residential
Commercial
TOTAL (tons)
Are any of the
If they areestirr
Explanation of
Amount Hauled
to a
Disposal Facility in
state or locality



Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?



dential and commercial sources
the stated reporting period and hauled to disposal
-energy facilities).

-------
2B.  MSW received from residential and commercial sources outside of

     during the stated reporting period but hauled to a disposal facility in
                                            state or locality
                                                                               state or locality
 IMPORTS
 TYPE OF NSW
 Residential
 Commercial
 TOTAL (tons)
Were EPA Conversion
   Factors Used?
TOTAL (tons)
 Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e. guesses?
 If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.

 Explanation of estimates: 	
3
8/11/97
2C. Other types of solid waste received from sou re
during the stated reporting period. Refer to the
include as Other Solid Waste.
OTHER
SOLID WASTE
Agricultural Waste
Combustion Ash
Construction and Demolition
Debris
Food Processing Waste
Industrial Process Waste
Medical Waste
Municipal Sewage Sludge
Natural Disaster Debris
Other
TOTAL (tons)
Amount
Hauled to a
Disposal
Facility in
state or locality










es in
state or locality
attached Scope of MSW table for examples of what to
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?










Amount
Exported to a
Disposal Facility
Outside of
state or locality










Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?










TOTAL (tons)










Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.
Explanation of estimates:





-------
             2D.  Other solid waste received from sources outside of
                 during the stated reporting period but hauled to a disposal facility in
                                                                                     state or locality
                                                                                            state or locality
             IMPORTS
             OTHER SOLID WASTE
Were EPA Conversion
   Factors Used?
TOTAL (tons)
             Agricultural Waste
             Combustion Ash
             Construction and Demolition Debris
             Food Processing Waste
             Industrial Process Waste
             Medical Waste
             Municipal Sewage Sludge
             Natural Disaster Debris
             Other
             TOTAL (tons)
              Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
              If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.

              Explanation of estimates:  	
  4
8/11/97

-------
                     About  This   Form
        Waste Disposal  Facilities

        Use this form to collect information on the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW)
        and other types of solid waste from residential and commercial sources in your state
        or locality accepted during the previous year by disposal facilities.
         Who Should Fill Out This Form:
           Public and Private Landfills

           Public and Private Incinerators

           Public and Private Waste-to-Energy Facilities
         Important Tips:
          1.  Send a cover letter with the survey form explaining the purpose of the form and how to fill it
            out. Remember to specify which sections of the form you want respondents to complete and
            which sections are optional. Use the sample cover letters provided as guides for developing your
            own.

          2.  Send the glossary and standard volume-to-weight conversion factors to all respondents.

          3.  Before mailing the form and cover letter to respondents, write in the name of your state or
            locality, reporting period, due date, and return address in the spaces provided at the top of the
            form.

          4.  Fill in the name of your state or locality throughout the form where indicated.
8/11/97

-------
Waste Disposal Facilities
H
1

HI
\
•
^|
•
^|
•
•
I
•
•
•
^H
•
•
^H
•

H

H
i
8/11/97
To Be Completed by the Surveyor:
State or Locality:
Reporting Period: to

Return This Form to:
Return This Form by: / /
'
Direct All Questions to: Name Telephone ( ")
.

Respondent Information (please type or print clearly):
Name of Company or Government Agency:
Address: Street
City Zip
Telephone: f ^ FAX: ( }

Name of Contact: Title:
Are You a: D Landfill D Incinerator D Waste-to-Energy Facility
D Other


Certification
1 certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the information reported in this form is accurate and truthful.

Name and Title Signature Date


-------
            I.   Instructions
            / Refer to the attached glossary for clarification of the terms used in this form.

            / Report all quantities in tons (1 ton=2,000 pounds). Use the attached volume-to-weight
              conversion factors to convert your data from cubic yards (or other unit of measure) to tons. If
              you used these conversion factors to convert your data, indicate "yes" in the appropriate column.
              If you used other conversion factors, please identify the source in  the comments section.

            / Estimate the breakdown of residential and commercial materials to the best of your ability.

            / Report any wastes that were generated as a result of a natural disaster in Part 2C and 2D as
              Other Solid Waste.

            / Report only quantities received during the reporting period stated above.
            2.   Waste Disposal Data
2A. Municipal solid waste (MSW) received from res
in during
state or locality
TYPE OF NSW
Residential
Commercial
TOTAL (tons)
Were EPA Conversion
Factors Used?



I
dential and commercial sources
; the stated reporting period.
AMOUNT RECEIVED (tons)



Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.
Explanation of estimates:






  2
8/11/97

-------
2B. MSW received from residential and commercial sources outside of
during the stated reporting period.
TYPE OF NSW
Residential
Commercial
TOTAL (tons)
Were EPA
Conversion
Factors Used?



Are any of the reported quantities estimates,
If they are estimates, explain how they were det
Explanation of estimates:
state or locality
AMOUNT RECEIVED (tons)



.e., guesses?
ermined below.




   3
8/11/97
2C. Other types of solid waste received during the stated reporting period.
OTHER SOLID WASTE
Agricultural Waste (tons)
Combustion Ash (tons)
Construction and Demolition
Debris (tons)
Food Processing Waste (tons)
Industrial Process Waste (tons)
Medical Waste (tons)
Municipal Sewage Sludge (tons)
Natural Disaster Debris (tons)
Other (tons)
TOTAL (tons)
SOURCE
Inside
state or locality










Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?










Outside of
state or locality










Were EPA
Conversion
Factors
Used?










Are any of the reported quantities estimates, i.e., guesses?
If they are estimates, explain how they were determined below.
Explanation of estimates:





-------
                I •
    ecych
                orksheets

Introduction to
the Worksheets

Worksheet A

  Use this worksheet if you have
already calculated a recycling rate
for your state or locality and sim-
ply  want to calculate a revised
recycling rate based on the stan-
dard equation. Worksheet A helps
you translate your current data on
recycling and disposal so that the
data match  the standard  defini-
tions of  municipal solid waste
(MSW) and recycling outlined in
this guide.

Worksheets B1,
B2, and  B3

  These  three  worksheets are
intended both for those states and
localities that are measuring recy-
cling for the first time and want to
use the standard methodology out-
lined in this guide and for those
that wish to redesign their current
recycling  measurement system
according to the standard method-
ology. These worksheets allow you
to compile data reported on the
survey forms  and calculate  an
MSW recycling rate.
  Worksheet Bl is used to aggre-
gate data on  MSW recycling, as
reported by respondents on Survey
Forms 1, 2, and 3. The worksheet
allows you to determine the total
amount of MSW recycled in your
jurisdiction during the current
measurement  year, which is the
numerator of  the  standard  recy-
cling rate equation.
  Worksheet B2 is used to aggre-
gate data on  MSW disposal, as
reported by respondents on Survey
Forms 4, 5, and 6. The worksheet
allows you to determine the total
amount of MSW disposed of in
your jurisdiction  during the cur-
rent measurement year,  which
when added to the total amount of
MSW  recycled (from  Worksheet
Bl)  is  the total amount of MSW
generated, or  the denominator of
the  standard recycling rate equa-
tion. Worksheet B2 also can be
used to estimate the total amount
of MSW generated if actual dispos-
al data are not available or reliable.


Worksheet B3

  This worksheet is used to  com-
bine  the  totals  obtained in
Worksheets Bl and B2 to calculate
a standard recycling rate.
                                                                Recycling Rate Worksheets    | Q7

-------
                   Converting  to the
                   Standard  Recycling
                   Rate
       Use this worksheet to calculate a recycling rate based on the standard equation.
       The standard recycling rate incorporates standard definitions of municipal solid
       waste (MSW) and recycling in addition to the following universal equation:
         Municipal Solid Waste
          Recycling Rate (%)
      Total MSW Recycled

     Total MSW Generated
(MSW Recycled + MSW Disposed Of)
x 100
       This worksheet will help you subtract from your current recycling rate those waste
       management activities and waste materials that are outside the scope of the
       standard recycling rate. In addition, those waste materials and recycling activities
       not included in your current rate, but included in the standard rate and for which
       you have data, can be added using this worksheet.
        How You Will Use The Information Obtained:
          After converting to the standard recycling rate, you will be able to make consistent comparisons
          of your recycling efforts and the efforts of others.
        Who Should Use This Worksheet:
          State and local governments that currently have a recycling measurement system in place and
          have previously calculated a recycling rate.
8/11/97

-------
            What You Will Need:
              A list of the types of solid waste and recyclables included in your current recycling rate.

              Your definitions of the following terms:

                 • Municipal Solid Waste

                 • Recyclable materials (e.g., yard trimmings, tires, ferrous metal)

                 • Recycling

              Standard definitions of the above terms from the Glossary (found on page 49 of the Guide).

              Scope of Materials Included in the Standard MSW Recycling Rate table (Table A, found on
              page 11  of the Guide).

              Scope of Activities Included  in the Standard MSW Recycling Rate table (Table B, found on
              page 13 of the Guide).
            Important Tips:
            / In order to be consistent with the standard recycling rate, only solid waste defined as municipal
               solid waste in the attached Scope of MSW table can be included when calculating the amount of
               waste disposed of and recycled.

            / Only MSW recycled according to the waste management activities outlined in the attached
               Scope of MSW Recycling table can be included when calculating the amount of waste recycled.
  2

8/11/97

-------
     Converting to the Standard Recycling Rate
      I. Calculating Waste Disposal
 3
8/11/97
1 A. Using the Scope of MSW table and the definition of MSW found in the Glossary, determine if there are
any waste materials not included in your current recycling rate. Add those waste materials for which
you have current disposal data and that are defined as MSW in the standard recycling rate. Enter the
amount disposed of for these wastes below. Remember, add materials only if you already have current
disposal data available.
ADDITIONAL NSW




TOTAL ADDITIONAL NSW (tons)

ANOUNT DISPOSED OF (tons)






1 B. Only MSW can be included in the standard recycling rate. The wastes listed in the table below are
excluded from the definition of MSW in the standard recycling rate. Using your most recent data on
waste disposal, fill in the annual amount disposed of for each excluded waste included in your current
recycling rate. Refer to the Glossary and Scope of MSW table for further clarification of the terms used
here. If you are unable to disaggregate these excluded wastes from your current data, use Worksheet B2,
Part 3, to estimate the total amount of MSW generated.
IB.
NATERIALS EXCLUDED FRON NSW
Abatement Debris
Agricultural Waste
Asphalt
Batteries From Aircraft, Military Vehicles, Boats, Heavy-Duty Trucks, and Tractors
Combustion Ash
Concrete
Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D)
Contaminated Soil
Ferrous Metals From Transportation Equipment and C&D projects
Food Processing Waste
Glass From Transportation Equipment and C&D Projects
Industrial Sludges
ANNUAL ANOUNT
DISPOSED OF (tons)













-------
IB.
MATERIALS EXCLUDED FROM NSW
Mining Waste
Municipal Sludges
Natural Disaster Debris
Nonferrous Metals From Industrial or Construction Sources
Oil and Gas Waste
Plastics From Transportation Equipment
Preconsumer Waste
Used Oil
Wood From C&D Activities
TOTAL EXCLUDED WASTES (tons)

1C. Total MSW Disposed Of
+ - =
Total Waste Total Total
Disposed Of Additional MSW Excluded Wastes
(based on your most (from 1A) (from 1B)
recent data)
ANNUAL AMOUNT
DISPOSED OF (tons)












Total
MSW Disposed Of
(tons)
   4
8/11/97
2. Calculating Recycling

2A. Using the Scope of MSW Recycling table, determine if there are recycling activities that can be added to
your current recycling rate. If you have current data for a recycling activity listed in the table, and
it is not included in your current rate, specify the type and amount of material recycled below.
Remember, add materials only if you already have current recycling data available.
2A.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
Commingled Materials
Food Waste
TOTAL (tons)


Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries








-------
   5
8/11/97
2A.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
TOTAL (tons)
Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals







Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other Paper
Subtotal Paper








Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires











Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood




-------
2A.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
TOTAL (tons)
Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings






Other Recyclables:




Subtotal Other Recyclables
TOTAL (tons)




  6
8/11/97
2B. The waste management activities listed in the table below are excluded from the standard recycling rate.
For each excluded activity included in your current recycling rate, fill in the annual amount of waste
recovered in your state or locality according to that method. Use your most recent data. Refer to the
Glossary and Scope of MSW Recycling table for further clarification of the terms used here.
ACTIVITIES EXCLUDED FROM THE
STANDARD RECYCLING RATE
Alternative Daily Landfill Cover
Backyard Composting of Yard Trimmings and Food Waste
Combustion
Grasscycling
Mulching of Tree Stumps From C&D Debris
Recycling of Materials Excluded From MSW (from 1 B)
Reuse (see Scope of MSW Recycling table)
Source Reduction
TOTAL (tons)
AMOUNT RECOVERED (TONS)









            2C.  Total MSW Recycled
Total Waste Recycled
(based on your most
    recent data)
      Total
Additional Recycling
     (from 2A)
     Total
Excluded Amount
    (from 26)
     Total
MSW Recycled
     (tons)

-------
           3.  Calculating a Standard Recycling Rate
          3A. MSW Recycling Rate (%
Total MSW
 Recycled
 (from 2Q
                               Total MSW
                                Recycled
                                (from 2Q
Total MSW
Disposed Of
 (from 1C)
                                                               x 100 =
     MSW
Recycling Rate
  7
8/11/97

-------
                       Determining  the  Amount of
                       Municipal Solid  Waste
                       (MSW)  Recycled

        Use this worksheet to compile recycling data reported on the survey forms. The
        total amount of MSW recycled in your state or locality is the numerator of the
        recycling rate equation.
          Who Should Use This Worksheet:
            State and local governments that do not currently have a recycling measurement system in place
            and are calculating a recycling rate for the first time.

            State and local governments that are redesigning their recycling measurement system according
            to the standard methodology.
          What You Will Need:
            Completed Survey Forms 1 (Collectors), 2 (Processors), and 3 (End Users).
          How You Will Use The Information Obtained:
            Recycling data will be used in conjunction with the waste generation data obtained in
            Worksheet B2 to calculate a recycling rate in Worksheet B3.
8/11/97
          Important Tips:
          / Before you begin, group all the survey forms together according to number.

          / If you received incomplete information on any part of a survey form, follow up with the
            respondent in order to complete the data.

          / If you received data from more than one type of respondent (e.g., collectors and processors), use
            the tables in Parts 1 and 2 to:
              / Verify the data received from one source by cross-checking it with data received from
                another source.
              / Identify redundant data and instances of possible double counting.
          / If you received data on Commingled Materials from respondents, use the procedure provided to
            estimate the weight of each component material.

          / Check to make sure that the data reported on the survey forms is in tons before you begin to
            complete this worksheet. If it is not in tons, use the standard volume-to-weight conversion factors
            to convert the data into tons.

-------
         I.  Residential Recycling Data
 2
8/11/97
1 A. For each recyclable material, total the data reported by each collector in the Residential column of
Form 1, Part 2A. Do the same for the data reported by processors (Form 2, Part 2 A) and then end users
(Form 3, Part 2 A).
To avoid double counting of data, for those materials where you received data from more than one type
of survey respondent, circle the data that you believe is the most complete and accurate. Draw a line
through the other data (you will not use it again). For example, if you received data on residential glass
recycling from both collectors and processors, circle the data that you believe is the least likely to result in
double counting. Remember to circle only one survey respondent for each material. If you surveyed only
one type of respondent, simply fill out the corresponding column below.
IA.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Food Waste
Survey Respondent
Collectors
(tons)

Processors
(tons)

End Users
(tons)

TOTAL (tons)

Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries




























Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals




























Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other Paper
Subtotal Paper

































-------
IA.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Survey Respondent
Collectors
(tons)
Processors
(tons)
End Users
(tons)
TOTAL (tons)
Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires












































Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood












Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings
























Other Recyclables:



Subtotal Other Recyclables
TOTAL (tons)




















   3
8/11/97

-------
            IB.  If you received data from survey respondents on Commingled Materials for residential programs, use the
                 following method to estimate the weight of each recyclable material that makes up the commingled
                 category. Tons for each material should be entered separately into the corresponding category in the table
                 in Part 1 A. You will need to complete this exercise for each different type of commingled mix reported on
                 the survey forms.


                 Step /:
                 Based on the comments received on the survey forms, list the individual recyclable materials that make up
                 Commingled Materials in Column 1 of the blank table titled Actual Data.
                 Step 2:
                 Using the national recovery data in the reference table below as default data, estimate the percentage of
                 each material in the commingled mix, and then enter the percentages in Column 2 of the blank table. For
                 example, if your mix consists of aluminum cans and steel cans, you would have a total of 2,670 tons of
                 materials (1,120 + 1,550) according to the reference table. This is equal to a mix consisting of 42%
                 aluminum cans and 58% steel cans by weight. To arrive at these percentages, divide the tons of each
                 material by the total tons for the mix (e.g., 1,120/2,670  x 100 = 42%).
                 Step 3:
                 Apply the percentages calculated in Step 2 to the total commingled tons reported on the survey forms to
                 arrive at a weight for each recyclable material. For example, if you determined in Step 2 that the
                 commingled mix is 42% aluminum cans by weight according to the reference table, and the total for
                 commingled materials reported on the survey forms is 10,000 tons, then the actual amount of aluminum
                 cans is 4,200 tons (42% x 10,000).
                 Step 4:
                 Enter the tons from Step 3 in Column 3 of the blank table. Finally, add these amounts to the
                 corresponding material totals in the table in Part 1 A.
                        Reference Data:
  4
8/11/97
Recovery of Products in Municipal Solid Waste, 1995 '
Product
Aluminum Cans
Corrugated Boxes
Glass
Magazines
Newspaper
Office Paper
Plastic Bottles
Steel Cans
Telephone Directories
Third Class Mail
Amount Recovered (in thousands of tons)
990
18,480
3,140
670
6,960
3,010
490
1,500
60
710
U.S. EPA. 1997. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1996 Update.
EPA530-R-97-015. Washington, DC. (Please use the latest available version.)

-------
             IB.
             Example:
Recyclable Material (from Step 1 )
Aluminum Cans
Steel Cans
Glass Bottles
Percentage (from Step 2)
19%
27%
54%
Tons (from Step 3)*
190 tons
270 tons
540 tons
             *Assume a total of 1,000 tons of Commingled Materials.
             Actual Data:
Recyclable Material (from Step 1)










Percentage (from Step 2)










Tons (from Step 3)










  5
8/11/97

-------
i
2.  Commercial Recycling Data
2A. For each recyclable material, total the data reported by each collector in the Commercial column of
Form 1, Part 2A. Do the same for the data reported by processors (Form 2, Part 2A) and then end users
(Form 3, Part 2 A).
To avoid double counting, for those materials where you received data from more than one type of survey
respondent, circle the data that you believe is the most complete and accurate. Draw a line through the
other data. If you surveyed only one type of respondent, simply fill out the corresponding column below.

2A.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Food Waste
Survey Respondent
Collectors
(tons)

Processors
(tons)

End Users
(tons)

TOTAL (tons)

Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries




























Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals




























Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other Paper
Subtotal Paper
































  6
8/11/97

-------
2A.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires
Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood
Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings
Other Recyclables:



Subtotal Other Recyclables
TOTAL (tons)

Collectors
(tons)





























Survey Respondent
Processors
(tons)






























End Users
(tons)






























TOTAL (tons)





























   7
8/11/97

-------
            2B.  If you received data from survey respondents on Commingled Materials for commercial programs, use the
                 following method to estimate the weight of each recyclable material that makes up the commingled
                 category. Tons for each material should be entered separately into the corresponding category in the table
                 in Part 2A. You will need to complete this exercise for each different type of commingled mix reported on
                 the survey forms.
                Step /:
                 Based on the comments received on the survey forms, list the individual recyclable materials that make up
                 Commingled Materials in Column 1  of the blank table titled Actual Data.
                 Step 2:
                 Using the national recovery data in the reference table below as default data, estimate the percentage of
                 each material in the commingled mix, and then enter the percentages in Column 2 of the blank table. For
                 example, if your mix consists of aluminum cans and steel cans, you would have a total of 2,670 tons of
                 materials (1,120 + 1,550) according to the reference table. This is equal to a mix consisting of 42%
                 aluminum cans and 58% steel cans by weight. To arrive at these percentages, divide the tons of each
                 material by the total tons for the mix (e.g., 1,120/2,670 x 100 = 42%).
                 Step 3:
                 Apply the percentages calculated in Step 2 to the total commingled tons reported on the survey forms to
                 arrive at a weight for each recyclable material. For example, if you determined in Step 2 that the
                 commingled mix is 42% aluminum  cans by weight according to the reference table, and the total for
                 commingled materials reported on the survey forms is 10,000 tons, then the actual amount of aluminum
                 cans is 4,200 tons (42% x 10,000).
                 Step 4:
                 Enter the tons from Step 3 in Column 3 of the blank table. Finally, add these amounts to the
                 corresponding material totals in the table in Part 2A.
                       Reference  Data:
  8
8/11/97
Recovery of Products in Municipal Solid Waste, 1995 '
Product
Aluminum Cans
Corrugated Boxes
Glass
Magazines
Newspaper
Office Paper
Plastic Bottles
Steel Cans
Telephone Directories
Third Class Mail
Amount Recovered (in thousands of tons)
990
18,480
3,140
670
6,960
3,010
490
1,500
60
710
U.S. EPA. 1997. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1996 Update.
EPA530-R-97-015. Washington, DC. (Please use the latest available version.)

-------
             2B.
             Example:
Recyclable Material (from Step 1)
Aluminum Cans
Steel Cans
Glass Bottles
Percentage (from Step 2)
19%
27%
54%
Tons (from Step 3)*
190 tons
270 tons
540 tons
            *Assume a total of 1,000 tons of Commingled Materials.
             Actual Data:
Recyclable Material (from Step 1 )










Percentage (from Step 2)










Tons (from Step 3)










  9
8/11/97

-------
i
3.  Total Recycling Data
  10
8/11/97
3A. If you used the double counting exercise, in the table below enter the circled data from Parts 1 and 2 for
each residential and commercial recyclable material. If you did not use the double counting exercise,
simply enter below the available data from Parts 1 and 2. Then, add those numbers to arrive at the total
amount recycled for each material. Finally, add the totals in the last column to arrive at the total amount
of MSW recycled in your state or locality.

3A.
Recyclable
Material
Food Waste

Source of Recyclable Material



Residential _i_ Commercial _
(tons) (tons) _^_ Total (tons)

I
Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries














Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals














Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other paper
Subtotal Paper








































Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE













-------
3A.
Recyclable
Material
Source of Recyclable Material


Residential • Commercial _
(tons) """ (tons) ~~ Total (tons)
1 	 ' ii
Plastic (continued)
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires





















Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood









Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings


















Other Recyclables:



Subtotal Other Recyclables
TOTAL (tons)















This is the
numerator of the
recycling rate
equation
(for Worksheet B3).
8/11/97

-------
                      Determining  Waste
                      Generation
        Use this worksheet to determine total municipal solid waste (MSW) generation for
        your state or locality. Waste generation is equal to the total amount of MSW
        recycled plus the total amount of MSW disposed of, in tons. It is the denominator of
        the recycling rate equation.
        This worksheet can be used for compiling waste disposal data reported on the
        standard survey forms (Parts I and 2), or for estimating waste generation if actual
        disposal data are not available or reliable (Part 3).
          Who Should Use This Worksheet:
            State and local governments that do not currently have a recycling measurement system in place.
            State and local governments that are redesigning their recycling measurement system according
            to the standard methodology.
            State and local governments using Worksheet A to convert to the standard recycling rate (Part 3 only).
          What You Will Need:
            Completed Survey Forms 4 (Collectors), 5 (Transfer Stations), and 6 (Disposal Facilities).
            Population data for the current measurement year (Parts 2 and 3 only).
            Your state or local waste characterization study, if available (Part 3 only).
          How You Will Use The Information Obtained:
            The waste generation figure calculated in this worksheet will be used in conjunction with the
            recycling data obtained in Worksheet B1 to calculate a recycling rate in Worksheet B3.
8/11/97
          Important Tips:
          / Before you begin, group all the survey forms together according to number.
          / If you received incomplete information on any part of a survey form, follow up with the
            respondent in order to complete the data.
          / This worksheet contains three sections. Read the description of each to determine which are
            applicable to your particular situation. In most cases, only one or two of the sections will be need
            to be completed.
          / Check to make sure that the data reported on the survey forms is in tons before you begin to
            complete this worksheet.  If it is not in tons, use the standard volume-to-weight conversion factors
            to convert the data into tons.

-------
      Determining Waste Generation
       I.  Compiling Waste Disposal Data
         Complete this section if you have current survey data on waste disposal.
IA. In-State Disposal

For each type of survey respondent (i.e., collectors, transfer stations, disposal facilities), total the
amount of residential MSW from sources within your state or locality that remained within your area
(e.g., not hauled to a transfer station or disposal facility outside your state or locality). This data can be
found on Forms 4, 5, and 6, Part 2A, first column. If you used more than one type of survey form to
collect data, be sure to not double count any data, i.e., MSW sent by a surveyed transfer station to a
surveyed disposal facility. If you used only one type of survey form (e.g., Survey Form 5, Transfer
Stations), simply fill out the corresponding column below.
Repeat the above procedure for commercial MSW.
NSW REMAINING
INSIDE THE STATE OR
LOCALITY
Residential (tons)
Commercial (tons)
Survey Respondent
Collectors


Transfer
Stations





Disposal
Facilities



TOTAL (tons)


IB. Exports
For each type of survey respondent, total the amount of residential MSW from sources within your
state or locality that was exported from your area (e.g., hauled by a collector or transfer station to a
disposal facility outside your state or locality). This data can be found on Forms 4 and 5, Part 2A,
second column. Be sure to not double count any data, i.e., MSW sent by a surveyed collector to a
surveyed transfer station.
Repeat the above procedure for commercial MSW.
NSW EXPORTS
Residential (tons)
Commercial (tons)
TOTAL (tons)
Survey Respondent
Collectors



Transfer Stations



TOTAL (tons)



 2
8/11/97

-------
   3
8/11/97
1C. Imports
For each type of survey respondent, total the amount of residential MSW from sources outside your
state or locality that was imported into the area (e.g., hauled by a collector to a transfer station or
disposal facility inside your state or locality). This data can be found on Forms 4, 5 and 6, Part 2B. Be
sure to not double count any data, i.e., MSW sent by a surveyed collector to a surveyed disposal facility.
Repeat the above procedure for commercial MSW.
Survey Respondent
MCW IMPftRTC
Collectors Transfer Sta
Residential (tons)
Commercial (tons)
TOTAL (tons)

TftTAI ftnnc)
tions




1 D. Total Residential MSW Disposed Of
+ - =
MSW Remaining MSW Exports MSW Imports
Inside the State or Locality (from IB) (from 1C)
(from 1A)
Total Residential
MSW Disposed Of
(tons)

1 E. Total Commercial MSW Disposed Of
+ - =
MSW Remaining MSW Exports MSW Imports
Inside the State or Locality (from IB) (from 1C)
(from 1A)
Total Commercial
MSW Disposed Of
(tons)

IF. Total MSW Disposed Of
+ =
Total Residential MSW Total Commercial MSW
(from 1D) (from 1E)
Total MSW Disposed Of
(tons)

IG. Total MSW Generated
+ =
Total MSW Disposed Of Total MSW Recycled
(from 1F) (from Worksheet B1, Part 3)


Total MSW Generated
(tons)
This is the denominator of
the recycling rate equation
(for Worksheet B3).

-------
                Extrapolating Waste Generation Data (optional)

                Complete this section if you received less than a 100 percent response rate to your survey.
                In this section you will use the partial data received to extrapolate total NSW generation. In
                other words, it will allow you to calculate a total even though you have data from only a
                portion of your state or locality.
           2A. Estimate the population represented by the data received in your latest survey:
                   Estimated Population
           2B. Complete Part 1 using the data received in your latest survey.
           2C.  Per Capita Waste Generation:
               Total MSW Generated
                    (from 1G)
Estimated Population
     (from 2A)
Per Capita Waste
   Generation
2D. Extrapolated MSW Generation:
X =
Per Capita Waste Generation Current Measurement Year
(from 1C) Total Population


Extrapolated MSW
Generation
(tons)
This is the denominator of
the recycling rate equation
(for Worksheet B3).
  4

8/11/97

-------
            3.   Using Waste Characterization Data to Determine
                 Waste Generation

                 Complete this section if you do not have the resources or authority to conduct annual
                 surveys, or if you are not confident in the data generated by your latest survey. This section
                 will allow you to estimate the total amount of NSW generated in your state or locality using
                 either national default data or a waste characterization study, if available.
           3A.  If you have a state or local waste characterization study, use Worksheet A to determine if the scope of
               waste in your study is consistent with the scope of MSW used here. If inconsistencies exist, proceed to
               Part B to estimate MSW generation. Alternatively, you may complete Worksheet A to arrive at a
               recycling rate that has the same scope as the standard recycling rate. If inconsistencies do not exist, then
               calculate estimated waste generation using the following method:


            1) Per Capita Waste Generation:
                Total Annual MSW
                    Generated
                    (from study)
    Total Population
      (year of study)
     Per Capita Waste
        Generation
            2) Estimated Waste Generation:
                 Per Capita Waste
                    Generation
Current Measurement Year
     Total Population
     Estimated MSW
        Generation
           (tons)
This is the denominator of
the recycling rate equation.
    (for Worksheet B3).
           3B.  If you do not have a waste characterization study, or your study does not define MSW in the same way
               as the standard definition used here, calculate estimated waste generation using the following equation:
            1) Estimated Waste Generation:
             Current Measurement Year
                  Total Population
                                            0.78 tons/person/year*   —
                                   Estimated Waste
                                      Generation
                                         (tons)
                               This is the denominator of
                              the recycling rate equation.
                                  (for Worksheet B3).
  5
8/11/97
            "U.S. EPA. 1997. Characterization Study of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1996 Update.
             EPA530-R-97-015. Washington, DC.

-------
        Calculating Your
        Municipal  Solid Waste
        (MSW)  Recycling  Rate
Use this worksheet to determine your state or locality's MSW recycling rate for the
current measurement year.
 Who Should Use This Worksheet:
   State and local governments that do not currently have a recycling measurement system in place
   and are establishing a recycling rate for the first time.

   State and local governments that are redesigning their recycling measurement system according
   to the standard methodology.
 What You Will Need:
  Total MSW recycled from Worksheet B1.

  Total MSW generated from Worksheet B2.

-------
           I.   Calculating Your Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Rate
           Calculate your state or local MSW recycling rate according to the following equation:
                                                      x  100 =
            Total MSW Recycled
             (from Worksheet B1,
                  Pan 3)
Total MSW Generated
 (from Worksheet 82,
Part1G,2D,3A,or3B)
Municipal Solid Waste
  Recycling Rate (%)
  2
8/11/97

-------
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL
AGENCIES
ALABAMA
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Land Division - Recycling Office
1751 Congressman Dickinson Drive
P.O. Box 301463
Montgomery, AL 36130-1463
334 270-5651
ALASKA
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Pollution Prevention Office
3601 C Street, Suite 1334
Anchorage, AK 99503
907 269-7500
ARIZONA
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Solid Waste Unit
3033 North Central Avenue, Fifth Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602 207-4123
ARKANSAS
Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and
  Ecology
Recycling Division
8101 National Drive
P.O. Box 8913
Little Rock, AR 72219-8913
501 682-0744
CALIFORNIA
California Integrated Waste Management Board
Waste Prevention and Education Division
Residential and Business Education Section/Waste
  Prevention Program Development Section
8800 Cal Center Drive
Sacramento, CA 95826
800 553-2962 (Hotline)
916 255-INFO (Information exchange)


COLORADO
Governor's Office of Energy Conservation
1675 Broadway, Suite 1300
Denver, CO 80202-4613
303 620-4292

CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection
Waste Management Bureau
Office of Recycling and Source Reduction
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
860 424-3365
DELAWARE
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental
  Control
Division of Air and Waste Management
P.O. Box 455
Dover, DE 19903-0455
302 739-4764
                                                                                 Resources

-------
     DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
     Department of Public Works
     Office of Recycling
     65 K Street, NE., Lower Level
     Washington, DC 20002
     202 727-5856
     FLORIDA
     Florida Department of Environmental Protection
     Division of Waste Management
     Bureau of Solid and Hazardous Waste
     Waste Reduction Section
     2600 Blair Stone Road
     Tallahassee, PL 32301
     904 488-0300


     GEORGIA
     Department of Natural Resources
     Pollution Prevention Assistance Division
     7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 450
     Atlanta, GA 30334
     404 651-5124
     HAWAII
     Department of Health
     Office of Solid Waste Management
     919 Ala Moana Boulevard, Third Floor
     Honolulu, HI 96814
     808 586-4240

     IDAHO
     Department of Environmental Quality
     1410 North Hilton
     Boise, ID 83706
     208 334-5860
     ILLINOIS
     Illinois Department of Commerce and Community
      Affairs
     Office of Recycling and Waste Reduction
     325 West Adams Street, Room 300
     Springfield, IL 62704-1892
     217 785-2800
INDIANA
Department of Environmental Management
Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical
  Assistance
Indiana Government Center North
100 North Senate Avenue
P.O. Box 6015
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6015
312 232-8172
800 451-6027 (Hotline)


IOWA
Department of Natural Resources
Waste Management Assistance Division
Waste Reduction Assistance Program (WRAP)
The Wallace Building
900 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50319
515 281-8927
KANSAS
Department of Health and Environment
700 SW. Harrison Street, Suite 1300
Topeka, KS 66603
913 296-7483

KENTUCKY
Resources Management Branch
Division of Waste Management
Resource Conservation Section
14 Rilley Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
502 564-6716
LOUISIANA
Department of Environmental Quality
Solid Waste Recycling Section
P.O. Box 82178-2178
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
504 765-0249
I 38   Appendix E

-------
MAINE
Maine Waste Management Agency
Office of State Planning
State House Station 154
Augusta, ME 04333
207 287-5300
MARYLAND
Department of the Environment
Division of Recycling
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
410 631-3315
MASSACHUSETTS
Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Solid Waste Management
1 Winter Street, Fourth Floor
Boston, MA 02108
617 556-1079
800 462-0444
MICHIGAN
Departments of Commerce and Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division
Office of Waste Reduction Services
P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, MI 48909-7504
517 373-3866
800 NO-2-WASTE (Hotline)
MISSISSIPPI
Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Pollution Control
Waste Reduction/Waste Minimization Program
P.O. Box 10385
Jackson, MS 39289
601 961-5241
MISSOURI
Division of Environmental Quality
Solid Waste Management Program
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
314 751-5401
MONTANA
Montana Department of Health and Environmental
  Sciences
Solid Waste Program
P.O. Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620-0901
406 444-1430
NEBRASKA
Department of Environmental Quality
Air and Waste Management Division
Integrated Waste Management Section
P.O. Box 98922
Lincoln, NE 68509-9822
402 471-4210
MINNESOTA
Office of Environmental Assistance
520 Lafayette Road North, Second Floor
St. Paul, MN 55155-4100
612 296-3417
800 657-3843 (Hotline)
NEVADA
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP)
Solid Waste Branch
333 West Nye Lane
Carson City, NV 89710
702 687-4670
                                                                                      Resources

-------
     NEW HAMPSHIRE
     Governor's Recycling Program
     2 V-i Beacon Street
     Concord, NH 03301
     603 271-1098
     NEW JERSEY
     Department of Environmental Protection and Energy
     Division of Solid Waste Management
     Office of Recycling and Planning
     Bureau of Source Reduction and Market Development
     840 Bear Tavern Road (CN414)
     Trenton, NJ 08625-0414
     609 984-3438
     NEW MEXICO
     New Mexico Environmental Department
     Solid Waste Bureau
     Harold Runnels Building
     P.O. Box 26110
     Santa Fe, NM 87503
     505 827-0197
     NEW YORK
     Department of Environmental Conservation
     Division of Solid and Hazardous Materials
     Bureau of Waste Reduction and Recycling
     50 Wolf Road, Room 228
     Albany, NY 12233-4015
     518 457-7337

     NORTH CAROLINA
     Environmental Health and Natural Resources
     Office of Waste Reduction
     3825 Barrett Drive
     Raleigh, NC 27609
     919 571-4100
NORTH DAKOTA
Division of Waste Management
North Dakota State Department of Health and
  Consolidated Laboratories
1200 Missouri Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58502-5520
701 328-5166
OHIO
Department of Natural Resources
Recycling and Litter Prevention Division
1889 Fountain Square Court, Building F2
Columbus, OH 43224
614 265-6376

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Division of Solid and Infectious Waste Management
Pollution Prevention
1800 WaterMark Drive
P.O. Box 163669
Columbus, OH 43216-3669
614 644-2802
OKLAHOMA
Department of Environmental Quality
Public Information and Education
100 NE. 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1212
405 271-7353
OREGON
Department of Environmental Quality
Waste Management and Cleanup Division
811 SW. Sixth Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
503 229-6046
I 40   Appendix E

-------
PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Environmental Resources
Waste Minimization and Planning
Source Reduction Section
P.O. Box 8472
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8472
717 787-7382


RHODE ISLAND
Department of Environmental Management
Office of Environmental Coordination
83 Park Street, Third Floor
Providence, RI 02903
401 277-3434


SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina Department of Health and
  Environmental Control
Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803 734-5000
800 768-7348 (Hotline)


SOUTH DAKOTA
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Office of Waste Prevention and Recycling
523 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
605 773-5559

TENNESSEE
Department of Environment and Conservation
Bureau of Resource Management
Division of Solid Waste Assistance
14th Floor, L & C Tower
401 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37243-0455
615 532-0072
TEXAS
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
  (TNRCC)
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
512 239-1000
UTAH
Department of Environmental Quality
Pollution Prevention Program
P.O. Box 144810
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4810
801 536-4400


VERMONT
Department of Environmental Conservation
Pollution Prevention and Education Division
103 South Main Street
Waterbury VT 05671-0402
802 241-3444
VIRGINIA
Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Litter Prevention and Recycling
P.O. Box 10009
Richmond, VA 23240-0009
804 762-4451
WASHINGTON
Department of Ecology
Solid Waste Services Program
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
360 407-6093
800 RECYCLE or 800 LITTERS
                                                                                      Resources

-------
     WEST VIRGINIA
     Department of Conservation, Education, and Litter
      Control
     Division of Natural Resources
     1900 Kanawah Boulevard
     East Charleston, WV 25305
     304 558-3370
     WISCONSIN
     Department of Natural Resources SW/3
     Bureau of Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste
      Management
     P.O. Box 7921
     Madison, WI 53707
     608 266-0520
     WYOMING
     Department of Environmental Quality
     Solid and Hazardous Waste Division
     Herschler Building, Fourth Floor
     122 West 25th Street
     Cheyenne, WY 82002
     307 777-7752
I 42   Appendix E

-------
                                     ^^r^^H_
Sample  Language  for  Free
Information  Act  Exemption
Excerpt  From Florida
Statute Section
403.7046, "Regulation
of Recovered Materials"
  (1)  After January 1, 1994,  any
person who handles,  purchases,
receives, recovers, sells, or is an
end use  of recovered materials
shall annually certify to the depart-
ment  on  forms provided  by the
department. The department may
by rule exempt from this require-
ment  generators  of  recovered
materials, persons who handle or
sell recovered materials as an activ-
ity which is incidental to the nor-
mal primary business activities of
that person, or persons who han-
dle, purchase, receive, recover, sell,
or are end users of recovered mate-
rials in small quantities as defined
by the department. The  depart-
ment shall adopt rules for the certi-
fication of and reporting by such
persons and shall establish criteria
for revocation of such certification.
Prior to the adoption of such rules,
the department shall  appoint a
technical advisory committee of no
more than nine persons, including
at a minimum,  representatives of
the   Florida   Association   of
Counties, the Florida  League of
Cities,  the  Florida  Recyclers
Association,  and  the   Florida
Chapter  of the National Solid
Waste Management Association, to
aid in the  development  of such
rules. Such rules shall be designed
to elicit, at a minimum, the amount
and  types of recovered materials
handled by registrants,  and the
amount and disposal site, or name
of person with whom such dispos-
al was arranged, or any solid waste
generated  by such facility.  Such
rules may provide for the depart-
ment to conduct periodic inspec-
tions. The department may charge
a fee of up to $50 for each registra-
tion, which shall be deposited into
the Solid Waste Management Trust
Fund for implementation of the
program.
  (2) Information  reported pur-
suant to the requirements of this
section or any rule adopted pur-
suant to this section which, if dis-
closed, would reveal a trade secret,
as defined in s. 812.081(l)(c), is
confidential and exempt from the
provisions  of s. 119.07(1).  This
exemption is  subject to the Open
Government Sunset Review Act in
accordance with   s. 119.14.  For
reporting or information purposes,
however, the department may pro-
vide this information in such form
that  the  names  of the  persons
reporting such information and the
specific information reported is not
revealed.
  (3) Except as otherwise provid-
ed in this section or pursuant to a
special act  in effect on or before
January 1,1993, a local government
may not require  a commercial
establishment   that  generates
source-separated recovered materi-
als to sell or otherwise convey its
recovered  materials to the  local
government or to a facility desig-
nated by the local government, nor
may the local government restrict
such a generator's right to sell or
otherwise convey such recovered
materials to any properly certified
recovered materials dealer who has
satisfied the  requirements of this
section. A  local government may
not enact any ordinance that pre-
vents such a dealer from entering
into a contract with a commercial
establishment to purchase, collect,
transport,  process,  or   receive
source-separated recovered materi-
als.
  (a) The  local government may
require that the recovered materi-
als  generated at the commercial
establishment be source separated
at the premises of the commercial
establishment.
  (b) Prior to engaging in business
within the jurisdiction of  the local
government, a recovered materials
dealer must provide the local gov-
ernment with a copy of the certifi-
cation provided for this section. In
addition, the  local government
may  establish  a   registration
process whereby a recovered mate-
rials dealer must register  with the
local government prior to engaging
in business with the jurisdiction of
the local government.

-------
   {Date}
   {Name}
   {Address}
   Dear {Private Recycling Hauler}:
   The {name of department/agency) would appreciate your assistance in calculating the official
199_ recycling rate. As you know, {name of state or locality) has set a recycling goal of {percentage}
percent by 199_. To measure our progress toward achieving this goal, we are collecting data on the
amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) recycled in the {state, city, or county). In addition, these
data will help us expand markets for recyclable materials, better allocate resources, make effective
solid waste management decisions, and gauge our disposal capacity.
   By completing the enclosed Recycling Measurement Survey Form, you will provide  us with
valuable information. This information will be combined with data from other collectors, proces-
sors, and end users of recyclable materials to calculate a recycling rate and to help us plan for the
future of solid waste management in {name of state or locality). Supplying these data to us also pro-
vides important benefits to you. By knowing the amount of recyclables collected in the {state, city,
or county) we can determine where additional mills or processors might be needed to develop
markets for specific materials. This could mean more business opportunities and better markets for
you in the future.
   To assist us in our recycling measurement efforts, please fill out the enclosed survey form and
return it to us by {date of deadline). Before completing the survey, please take time to read all of the
instructions carefully. It is essential that you provide us with the most complete and accurate infor-
mation available. To ensure confidentiality, please mark any sensitive or proprietary information as
"confidential." Please understand that we will not release any confidential information used to cal-
culate our recycling rate.
   If you have any questions  regarding the Recycling Measurement Survey Form, please contact
{name of contact person) at {phone number). This person is available to provide you with any tech-
nical assistance you may need and can also be reached at the following electronic mail  address
(address). The results of this survey can be obtained by contacting {name of person) after (date).
   Measuring recycling in our {state, city, or county) is an important endeavor. We hope that you
will fill out the survey form carefully and return it to us by the date above.
   Thank you for your time and assistance.
   Sincerely,
   {Name of Recycling Measurement Official)

-------
              {Date}
              {Name}
              {Address}
              Dear {Name of County or City Recycling Coordinator}:
              The {name of department/agency) would appreciate your assistance in calculating the official
           199_ recycling rate. As you know, {name of state or locality) has set a recycling goal of {percentage}
           percent by 199_. To measure our progress toward achieving this goal, we are collecting data on the
           amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) recycled in the {state, city, or county). In addition, these
           data will help us expand markets for recyclable materials, better allocate resources, make effective
           solid waste management decisions, and gauge our disposal capacity.
              By completing the enclosed Recycling Measurement Survey Form, you will provide us with
           valuable information. This information will be combined with data from other {cities or counties)
           to calculate a recycling rate and to help us plan for the future of solid waste management in {name
           of state or locality). Supplying these data to us also provides important benefits to you. You can use
           these data to supplement your local solid waste planning efforts, public education and outreach,
           and local market development.
              To assist us in our recycling measurement efforts, please fill out the enclosed survey form and
           return it to us by {date of deadline). Before completing the survey, please take time to read all of the
           instructions carefully. It is essential that you provide us with the most complete and accurate infor-
           mation available.
              If you have any questions regarding the Recycling Measurement Survey Form, please contact
           {name of contact person) at {phone number). This person is available to provide you with any tech-
           nical assistance you may need and can also be reached at the following electronic mail address
           (address). In addition, we are conducting a training seminar on the reporting requirements  on
           (date) at (location). Additional information about the training session will be mailed to you short-
           ly. Technical assistance materials including (name(s) of guidebook, documents, etc.) are also avail-
           able. For more information about the recycling measurement program, contact (contact person) at
           the number above. The results of this survey can be obtained by contacting {name of person) after
           (date).
              Measuring recycling in our {state, city, or county) is an important endeavor. We hope that you
           will fill out the survey form carefully and return it to us by the date above.
              Thank you for your time and assistance.
              Sincerely,
              (Name of Recycling Measurement Official)
I 46   Appendix G

-------
   {Date}
   {Name}
   {Address}
   Dear {Waste Disposal Facility}:
   The {name of department/agency) would appreciate your assistance in calculating the official
199_ recycling rate. As you know, {name of state or locality) has set a recycling goal of {percentage}
percent by 199_. To measure our progress toward achieving this goal, we are collecting data on the
amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) recycled and disposed of in the {state, city, or county). In
addition, these data will help us expand markets for recyclable materials, better allocate resources,
make effective solid waste management decisions, and gauge our disposal capacity.
   By completing the enclosed Waste Disposal Survey Form, you will provide us with valuable
information. This information will be combined with data from other landfills, incinerators, waste-
to-energy facilities, transfer stations, and waste haulers to determine the amount of waste generat-
ed in the area and calculate a recycling rate. Supplying these data to us voluntarily can prevent us
from having to mandate reporting in the future.
   To assist us in our waste disposal measurement efforts, please fill out the enclosed survey form
and return it to us by {date of deadline). Before completing the survey, please take time  to read all
of the instructions carefully. It is essential that you provide us with the most complete and accurate
information available. To ensure confidentiality, please mark any sensitive or proprietary informa-
tion as "confidential." Please understand that we will not release any confidential information used
to calculate our recycling rate.
   If you have any questions regarding the Waste Disposal Survey Form, please contact {name of
contact person) at {phone number). This person is available to provide you with any technical assis-
tance you may need and can also be reached at the following electronic mail address (address). The
results of this survey can be obtained by contacting {name of person) after (date).
   Measuring recycling in our {state, city, or county) is an important endeavor. We hope that you
will fill out the survey form carefully and return it to us by the date above.
   Thank you for your time and assistance.
   Sincerely,
   {Name of Recycling Measurement Official)

-------
Adjusting Waste Generation

-------
      Adjusting Waste Generation

      Use this methodology if you have waste generation data from a survey conducted in a previous year, but
      do not have data from the current measurement year. You will adjust the previous data for changes in
      population and economic conditions. This methodology is based on a regression analysis that tested the
      predictive power of several variables on waste generation in California. Results showed that population,
      employment, and taxable transactions were the strongest predictors of waste generation. Please note
      that because the methodology was developed by the State of California using California data, this may
      affect its accuracy when used in other states. For more information about the methodology, please
      contact the California Integrated Waste Management Board at 916 255-2341.
  You Will Need:

  /  Population data for both the current measurement and reference years (P)

  /  Employment data for both the current measurement and reference years (E)

  /  Taxable sales receipts for both the current measurement and reference years (TSR)
     (Your state's economic development office might be a source of county-specific data.)

  /  Consumer Price Index for the current measurement year (CPI)

  /  Residential waste generation tonnage for the reference year (R)

  /  Commercial waste generation tonnage for the reference year (C)


  Definitions:

  m = Current measurement year

  ry = Reference year

  Reference year = Year of the most recent survey

  Adjusted taxable transactions (T) = Taxable sales receipts corrected for inflation
  A. Use Worksheet A to determine if your scope of MSW is consistent with the definition used here. If
     there are inconsistencies, use Worksheet A to adjust your scope.
  B. Adjusted Taxable Transactions (current measurement year):
           CPI
              ry
CPIr
TSRn
Adjusted Taxable
 Transactions (T)
     (current
 measurement
      year)
8/11/97

-------
  C. Commercial Adjustment Factor (CAP):
                           ry
                                             TSR
                                        T
                                                                         -2=
                                         ry
                                           Commercial
                                           Adjustment
                                           Factor (CAF)
D. Residential Adjustment Factor (RAF):
Pm Pry
CAFm "" Residential
Adjustment Factor (RAF)
  E. Adjusted Waste Generation (current measurement year):
        R
RAF
C
CAF
 Adjusted Waste Generation
 (current measurement year)
           (tons)
This is the denominator of the
   recycling rate equation.
     (for Worksheet B3).
8/11/97

-------
                   Converting  to the
                   Standard  Recycling
                   Rate
       Use this worksheet to calculate a recycling rate based on the standard equation.
       The standard recycling rate incorporates standard definitions of municipal solid
       waste (MSW) and recycling in addition to the following universal equation:
         Municipal Solid Waste
          Recycling Rate (%)
      Total MSW Recycled

     Total MSW Generated
(MSW Recycled + MSW Disposed Of)
x 100
       This worksheet will help you subtract from your current recycling rate those waste
       management activities and waste materials that are outside the scope of the
       standard recycling rate. In addition, those waste materials and recycling activities
       not included in your current rate, but included in the standard rate and for which
       you have data, can be added using this worksheet.
        How You Will Use The Information Obtained:
          After converting to the standard recycling rate, you will be able to make consistent comparisons
          of your recycling efforts and the efforts of others.
        Who Should Use This Worksheet:
          State and local governments that currently have a recycling measurement system in place and
          have previously calculated a recycling rate.
8/11/97

-------
            What You Will Need:
              A list of the types of solid waste and recyclables included in your current recycling rate.

              Your definitions of the following terms:

                 • Municipal Solid Waste

                 • Recyclable materials (e.g., yard trimmings, tires, ferrous metal)

                 • Recycling

              Standard definitions of the above terms from the Glossary (found on page 49 of the Guide).

              Scope of Materials Included in the Standard MSW Recycling Rate table (Table A, found on
              page 11  of the Guide).

              Scope of Activities Included  in the Standard MSW Recycling Rate table (Table B, found on
              page 13 of the Guide).
            Important Tips:
            / In order to be consistent with the standard recycling rate, only solid waste defined as municipal
               solid waste in the attached Scope of MSW table can be included when calculating the amount of
               waste disposed of and recycled.

            / Only MSW recycled according to the waste management activities outlined in the attached
               Scope of MSW Recycling table can be included when calculating the amount of waste recycled.
  2

8/11/97

-------
     Converting to the Standard Recycling Rate
      I. Calculating Waste Disposal
 3
8/11/97
1 A. Using the Scope of MSW table and the definition of MSW found in the Glossary, determine if there are
any waste materials not included in your current recycling rate. Add those waste materials for which
you have current disposal data and that are defined as MSW in the standard recycling rate. Enter the
amount disposed of for these wastes below. Remember, add materials only if you already have current
disposal data available.
ADDITIONAL NSW




TOTAL ADDITIONAL NSW (tons)

ANOUNT DISPOSED OF (tons)






1 B. Only MSW can be included in the standard recycling rate. The wastes listed in the table below are
excluded from the definition of MSW in the standard recycling rate. Using your most recent data on
waste disposal, fill in the annual amount disposed of for each excluded waste included in your current
recycling rate. Refer to the Glossary and Scope of MSW table for further clarification of the terms used
here. If you are unable to disaggregate these excluded wastes from your current data, use Worksheet B2,
Part 3, to estimate the total amount of MSW generated.
IB.
NATERIALS EXCLUDED FRON NSW
Abatement Debris
Agricultural Waste
Asphalt
Batteries From Aircraft, Military Vehicles, Boats, Heavy-Duty Trucks, and Tractors
Combustion Ash
Concrete
Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D)
Contaminated Soil
Ferrous Metals From Transportation Equipment and C&D projects
Food Processing Waste
Glass From Transportation Equipment and C&D Projects
Industrial Sludges
ANNUAL ANOUNT
DISPOSED OF (tons)













-------
IB.
MATERIALS EXCLUDED FROM NSW
Mining Waste
Municipal Sludges
Natural Disaster Debris
Nonferrous Metals From Industrial or Construction Sources
Oil and Gas Waste
Plastics From Transportation Equipment
Preconsumer Waste
Used Oil
Wood From C&D Activities
TOTAL EXCLUDED WASTES (tons)

1C. Total MSW Disposed Of
+ - =
Total Waste Total Total
Disposed Of Additional MSW Excluded Wastes
(based on your most (from 1A) (from 1B)
recent data)
ANNUAL AMOUNT
DISPOSED OF (tons)












Total
MSW Disposed Of
(tons)
   4
8/11/97
2. Calculating Recycling

2A. Using the Scope of MSW Recycling table, determine if there are recycling activities that can be added to
your current recycling rate. If you have current data for a recycling activity listed in the table, and
it is not included in your current rate, specify the type and amount of material recycled below.
Remember, add materials only if you already have current recycling data available.
2A.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
Commingled Materials
Food Waste
TOTAL (tons)


Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries








-------
   5
8/11/97
2A.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
TOTAL (tons)
Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals







Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other Paper
Subtotal Paper








Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires











Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood




-------
2A.
RECYCLABLE MATERIAL
TOTAL (tons)
Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings






Other Recyclables:




Subtotal Other Recyclables
TOTAL (tons)




  6
8/11/97
2B. The waste management activities listed in the table below are excluded from the standard recycling rate.
For each excluded activity included in your current recycling rate, fill in the annual amount of waste
recovered in your state or locality according to that method. Use your most recent data. Refer to the
Glossary and Scope of MSW Recycling table for further clarification of the terms used here.
ACTIVITIES EXCLUDED FROM THE
STANDARD RECYCLING RATE
Alternative Daily Landfill Cover
Backyard Composting of Yard Trimmings and Food Waste
Combustion
Grasscycling
Mulching of Tree Stumps From C&D Debris
Recycling of Materials Excluded From MSW (from 1 B)
Reuse (see Scope of MSW Recycling table)
Source Reduction
TOTAL (tons)
AMOUNT RECOVERED (TONS)









            2C.  Total MSW Recycled
Total Waste Recycled
(based on your most
    recent data)
      Total
Additional Recycling
     (from 2A)
     Total
Excluded Amount
    (from 26)
     Total
MSW Recycled
     (tons)

-------
           3.  Calculating a Standard Recycling Rate
          3A. MSW Recycling Rate (%
Total MSW
 Recycled
 (from 2Q
                               Total MSW
                                Recycled
                                (from 2Q
Total MSW
Disposed Of
 (from 1C)
                                                               x 100 =
     MSW
Recycling Rate
  7
8/11/97

-------
                       Determining  the  Amount of
                       Municipal Solid  Waste
                       (MSW)  Recycled

        Use this worksheet to compile recycling data reported on the survey forms. The
        total amount of MSW recycled in your state or locality is the numerator of the
        recycling rate equation.
          Who Should Use This Worksheet:
            State and local governments that do not currently have a recycling measurement system in place
            and are calculating a recycling rate for the first time.

            State and local governments that are redesigning their recycling measurement system according
            to the standard methodology.
          What You Will Need:
            Completed Survey Forms 1 (Collectors), 2 (Processors), and 3 (End Users).
          How You Will Use The Information Obtained:
            Recycling data will be used in conjunction with the waste generation data obtained in
            Worksheet B2 to calculate a recycling rate in Worksheet B3.
8/11/97
          Important Tips:
          / Before you begin, group all the survey forms together according to number.

          / If you received incomplete information on any part of a survey form, follow up with the
            respondent in order to complete the data.

          / If you received data from more than one type of respondent (e.g., collectors and processors), use
            the tables in Parts 1 and 2 to:
              / Verify the data received from one source by cross-checking it with data received from
                another source.
              / Identify redundant data and instances of possible double counting.
          / If you received data on Commingled Materials from respondents, use the procedure provided to
            estimate the weight of each component material.

          / Check to make sure that the data reported on the survey forms is in tons before you begin to
            complete this worksheet. If it is not in tons, use the standard volume-to-weight conversion factors
            to convert the data into tons.

-------
         I.  Residential Recycling Data
 2
8/11/97
1 A. For each recyclable material, total the data reported by each collector in the Residential column of
Form 1, Part 2A. Do the same for the data reported by processors (Form 2, Part 2 A) and then end users
(Form 3, Part 2 A).
To avoid double counting of data, for those materials where you received data from more than one type
of survey respondent, circle the data that you believe is the most complete and accurate. Draw a line
through the other data (you will not use it again). For example, if you received data on residential glass
recycling from both collectors and processors, circle the data that you believe is the least likely to result in
double counting. Remember to circle only one survey respondent for each material. If you surveyed only
one type of respondent, simply fill out the corresponding column below.
IA.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Food Waste
Survey Respondent
Collectors
(tons)

Processors
(tons)

End Users
(tons)

TOTAL (tons)

Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries




























Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals




























Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other Paper
Subtotal Paper

































-------
IA.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Survey Respondent
Collectors
(tons)
Processors
(tons)
End Users
(tons)
TOTAL (tons)
Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires












































Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood












Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings
























Other Recyclables:



Subtotal Other Recyclables
TOTAL (tons)




















   3
8/11/97

-------
            IB.  If you received data from survey respondents on Commingled Materials for residential programs, use the
                 following method to estimate the weight of each recyclable material that makes up the commingled
                 category. Tons for each material should be entered separately into the corresponding category in the table
                 in Part 1 A. You will need to complete this exercise for each different type of commingled mix reported on
                 the survey forms.


                 Step /:
                 Based on the comments received on the survey forms, list the individual recyclable materials that make up
                 Commingled Materials in Column 1 of the blank table titled Actual Data.
                 Step 2:
                 Using the national recovery data in the reference table below as default data, estimate the percentage of
                 each material in the commingled mix, and then enter the percentages in Column 2 of the blank table. For
                 example, if your mix consists of aluminum cans and steel cans, you would have a total of 2,670 tons of
                 materials (1,120 + 1,550) according to the reference table. This is equal to a mix consisting of 42%
                 aluminum cans and 58% steel cans by weight. To arrive at these percentages, divide the tons of each
                 material by the total tons for the mix (e.g., 1,120/2,670  x 100 = 42%).
                 Step 3:
                 Apply the percentages calculated in Step 2 to the total commingled tons reported on the survey forms to
                 arrive at a weight for each recyclable material. For example, if you determined in Step 2 that the
                 commingled mix is 42% aluminum cans by weight according to the reference table, and the total for
                 commingled materials reported on the survey forms is 10,000 tons, then the actual amount of aluminum
                 cans is 4,200 tons (42% x 10,000).
                 Step 4:
                 Enter the tons from Step 3 in Column 3 of the blank table. Finally, add these amounts to the
                 corresponding material totals in the table in Part 1 A.
                        Reference Data:
  4
8/11/97
Recovery of Products in Municipal Solid Waste, 1995 '
Product
Aluminum Cans
Corrugated Boxes
Glass
Magazines
Newspaper
Office Paper
Plastic Bottles
Steel Cans
Telephone Directories
Third Class Mail
Amount Recovered (in thousands of tons)
990
18,480
3,140
670
6,960
3,010
490
1,500
60
710
U.S. EPA. 1997. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1996 Update.
EPA530-R-97-015. Washington, DC. (Please use the latest available version.)

-------
             IB.
             Example:
Recyclable Material (from Step 1 )
Aluminum Cans
Steel Cans
Glass Bottles
Percentage (from Step 2)
19%
27%
54%
Tons (from Step 3)*
190 tons
270 tons
540 tons
             *Assume a total of 1,000 tons of Commingled Materials.
             Actual Data:
Recyclable Material (from Step 1)










Percentage (from Step 2)










Tons (from Step 3)










  5
8/11/97

-------
i
2.  Commercial Recycling Data
2A. For each recyclable material, total the data reported by each collector in the Commercial column of
Form 1, Part 2A. Do the same for the data reported by processors (Form 2, Part 2A) and then end users
(Form 3, Part 2 A).
To avoid double counting, for those materials where you received data from more than one type of survey
respondent, circle the data that you believe is the most complete and accurate. Draw a line through the
other data. If you surveyed only one type of respondent, simply fill out the corresponding column below.

2A.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Food Waste
Survey Respondent
Collectors
(tons)

Processors
(tons)

End Users
(tons)

TOTAL (tons)

Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries




























Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals




























Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other Paper
Subtotal Paper
































  6
8/11/97

-------
2A.
RECYCLABLE
MATERIAL
Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires
Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood
Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings
Other Recyclables:



Subtotal Other Recyclables
TOTAL (tons)

Collectors
(tons)





























Survey Respondent
Processors
(tons)






























End Users
(tons)






























TOTAL (tons)





























   7
8/11/97

-------
            2B.  If you received data from survey respondents on Commingled Materials for commercial programs, use the
                 following method to estimate the weight of each recyclable material that makes up the commingled
                 category. Tons for each material should be entered separately into the corresponding category in the table
                 in Part 2A. You will need to complete this exercise for each different type of commingled mix reported on
                 the survey forms.
                Step /:
                 Based on the comments received on the survey forms, list the individual recyclable materials that make up
                 Commingled Materials in Column 1  of the blank table titled Actual Data.
                 Step 2:
                 Using the national recovery data in the reference table below as default data, estimate the percentage of
                 each material in the commingled mix, and then enter the percentages in Column 2 of the blank table. For
                 example, if your mix consists of aluminum cans and steel cans, you would have a total of 2,670 tons of
                 materials (1,120 + 1,550) according to the reference table. This is equal to a mix consisting of 42%
                 aluminum cans and 58% steel cans by weight. To arrive at these percentages, divide the tons of each
                 material by the total tons for the mix (e.g., 1,120/2,670 x 100 = 42%).
                 Step 3:
                 Apply the percentages calculated in Step 2 to the total commingled tons reported on the survey forms to
                 arrive at a weight for each recyclable material. For example, if you determined in Step 2 that the
                 commingled mix is 42% aluminum  cans by weight according to the reference table, and the total for
                 commingled materials reported on the survey forms is 10,000 tons, then the actual amount of aluminum
                 cans is 4,200 tons (42% x 10,000).
                 Step 4:
                 Enter the tons from Step 3 in Column 3 of the blank table. Finally, add these amounts to the
                 corresponding material totals in the table in Part 2A.
                       Reference  Data:
  8
8/11/97
Recovery of Products in Municipal Solid Waste, 1995 '
Product
Aluminum Cans
Corrugated Boxes
Glass
Magazines
Newspaper
Office Paper
Plastic Bottles
Steel Cans
Telephone Directories
Third Class Mail
Amount Recovered (in thousands of tons)
990
18,480
3,140
670
6,960
3,010
490
1,500
60
710
U.S. EPA. 1997. Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1996 Update.
EPA530-R-97-015. Washington, DC. (Please use the latest available version.)

-------
             2B.
             Example:
Recyclable Material (from Step 1)
Aluminum Cans
Steel Cans
Glass Bottles
Percentage (from Step 2)
19%
27%
54%
Tons (from Step 3)*
190 tons
270 tons
540 tons
            *Assume a total of 1,000 tons of Commingled Materials.
             Actual Data:
Recyclable Material (from Step 1 )










Percentage (from Step 2)










Tons (from Step 3)










  9
8/11/97

-------
i
3.  Total Recycling Data
  10
8/11/97
3A. If you used the double counting exercise, in the table below enter the circled data from Parts 1 and 2 for
each residential and commercial recyclable material. If you did not use the double counting exercise,
simply enter below the available data from Parts 1 and 2. Then, add those numbers to arrive at the total
amount recycled for each material. Finally, add the totals in the last column to arrive at the total amount
of MSW recycled in your state or locality.

3A.
Recyclable
Material
Food Waste

Source of Recyclable Material



Residential _i_ Commercial _
(tons) (tons) _^_ Total (tons)

I
Glass Containers:
Clear
Amber
Green
Mixed Glass
Other Glass
Subtotal Glass
Lead-Acid Batteries














Metals:
Aluminum Cans
Tin/Steel Cans
Major Appliances
Other Ferrous
Other Nonferrous
Mixed Metals
Subtotal Metals














Paper:
Old Magazines
Old Newspaper
Old Corrugated Containers
Office Papers
Telephone Directories
Mixed Paper
Other paper
Subtotal Paper








































Plastic:
PETE
HOPE
PVC
LDPE













-------
3A.
Recyclable
Material
Source of Recyclable Material


Residential • Commercial _
(tons) """ (tons) ~~ Total (tons)
1 	 ' ii
Plastic (continued)
PP
PS
Mixed Plastic
Other Plastic
Subtotal Plastic
Textiles
Tires





















Wood:
Wood Packaging
Other Wood
Subtotal Wood









Yard Trimmings:
Brush and Branches
Grass
Leaves
Tree Stumps
Mixed Yard Trimmings
Subtotal Yard Trimmings


















Other Recyclables:



Subtotal Other Recyclables
TOTAL (tons)















This is the
numerator of the
recycling rate
equation
(for Worksheet B3).
8/11/97

-------
                      Determining  Waste
                      Generation
        Use this worksheet to determine total municipal solid waste (MSW) generation for
        your state or locality. Waste generation is equal to the total amount of MSW
        recycled plus the total amount of MSW disposed of, in tons. It is the denominator of
        the recycling rate equation.
        This worksheet can be used for compiling waste disposal data reported on the
        standard survey forms (Parts I and 2), or for estimating waste generation if actual
        disposal data are not available or reliable (Part 3).
          Who Should Use This Worksheet:
            State and local governments that do not currently have a recycling measurement system in place.
            State and local governments that are redesigning their recycling measurement system according
            to the standard methodology.
            State and local governments using Worksheet A to convert to the standard recycling rate (Part 3 only).
          What You Will Need:
            Completed Survey Forms 4 (Collectors), 5 (Transfer Stations), and 6 (Disposal Facilities).
            Population data for the current measurement year (Parts 2 and 3 only).
            Your state or local waste characterization study, if available (Part 3 only).
          How You Will Use The Information Obtained:
            The waste generation figure calculated in this worksheet will be used in conjunction with the
            recycling data obtained in Worksheet B1 to calculate a recycling rate in Worksheet B3.
8/11/97
          Important Tips:
          / Before you begin, group all the survey forms together according to number.
          / If you received incomplete information on any part of a survey form, follow up with the
            respondent in order to complete the data.
          / This worksheet contains three sections. Read the description of each to determine which are
            applicable to your particular situation. In most cases, only one or two of the sections will be need
            to be completed.
          / Check to make sure that the data reported on the survey forms is in tons before you begin to
            complete this worksheet.  If it is not in tons, use the standard volume-to-weight conversion factors
            to convert the data into tons.

-------
      Determining Waste Generation
       I.  Compiling Waste Disposal Data
         Complete this section if you have current survey data on waste disposal.
IA. In-State Disposal

For each type of survey respondent (i.e., collectors, transfer stations, disposal facilities), total the
amount of residential MSW from sources within your state or locality that remained within your area
(e.g., not hauled to a transfer station or disposal facility outside your state or locality). This data can be
found on Forms 4, 5, and 6, Part 2A, first column. If you used more than one type of survey form to
collect data, be sure to not double count any data, i.e., MSW sent by a surveyed transfer station to a
surveyed disposal facility. If you used only one type of survey form (e.g., Survey Form 5, Transfer
Stations), simply fill out the corresponding column below.
Repeat the above procedure for commercial MSW.
NSW REMAINING
INSIDE THE STATE OR
LOCALITY
Residential (tons)
Commercial (tons)
Survey Respondent
Collectors


Transfer
Stations





Disposal
Facilities



TOTAL (tons)


IB. Exports
For each type of survey respondent, total the amount of residential MSW from sources within your
state or locality that was exported from your area (e.g., hauled by a collector or transfer station to a
disposal facility outside your state or locality). This data can be found on Forms 4 and 5, Part 2A,
second column. Be sure to not double count any data, i.e., MSW sent by a surveyed collector to a
surveyed transfer station.
Repeat the above procedure for commercial MSW.
NSW EXPORTS
Residential (tons)
Commercial (tons)
TOTAL (tons)
Survey Respondent
Collectors



Transfer Stations



TOTAL (tons)



 2
8/11/97

-------
   3
8/11/97
1C. Imports
For each type of survey respondent, total the amount of residential MSW from sources outside your
state or locality that was imported into the area (e.g., hauled by a collector to a transfer station or
disposal facility inside your state or locality). This data can be found on Forms 4, 5 and 6, Part 2B. Be
sure to not double count any data, i.e., MSW sent by a surveyed collector to a surveyed disposal facility.
Repeat the above procedure for commercial MSW.
Survey Respondent
MCW IMPftRTC
Collectors Transfer Sta
Residential (tons)
Commercial (tons)
TOTAL (tons)

TftTAI ftnnc)
tions




1 D. Total Residential MSW Disposed Of
+ - =
MSW Remaining MSW Exports MSW Imports
Inside the State or Locality (from IB) (from 1C)
(from 1A)
Total Residential
MSW Disposed Of
(tons)

1 E. Total Commercial MSW Disposed Of
+ - =
MSW Remaining MSW Exports MSW Imports
Inside the State or Locality (from IB) (from 1C)
(from 1A)
Total Commercial
MSW Disposed Of
(tons)

IF. Total MSW Disposed Of
+ =
Total Residential MSW Total Commercial MSW
(from 1D) (from 1E)
Total MSW Disposed Of
(tons)

IG. Total MSW Generated
+ =
Total MSW Disposed Of Total MSW Recycled
(from 1F) (from Worksheet B1, Part 3)


Total MSW Generated
(tons)
This is the denominator of
the recycling rate equation
(for Worksheet B3).

-------
                Extrapolating Waste Generation Data (optional)

                Complete this section if you received less than a 100 percent response rate to your survey.
                In this section you will use the partial data received to extrapolate total NSW generation. In
                other words, it will allow you to calculate a total even though you have data from only a
                portion of your state or locality.
           2A. Estimate the population represented by the data received in your latest survey:
                   Estimated Population
           2B. Complete Part 1 using the data received in your latest survey.
           2C.  Per Capita Waste Generation:
               Total MSW Generated
                    (from 1G)
Estimated Population
     (from 2A)
Per Capita Waste
   Generation
2D. Extrapolated MSW Generation:
X =
Per Capita Waste Generation Current Measurement Year
(from 1C) Total Population


Extrapolated MSW
Generation
(tons)
This is the denominator of
the recycling rate equation
(for Worksheet B3).
  4

8/11/97

-------
            3.   Using Waste Characterization Data to Determine
                 Waste Generation

                 Complete this section if you do not have the resources or authority to conduct annual
                 surveys, or if you are not confident in the data generated by your latest survey. This section
                 will allow you to estimate the total amount of NSW generated in your state or locality using
                 either national default data or a waste characterization study, if available.
           3A.  If you have a state or local waste characterization study, use Worksheet A to determine if the scope of
               waste in your study is consistent with the scope of MSW used here. If inconsistencies exist, proceed to
               Part B to estimate MSW generation. Alternatively, you may complete Worksheet A to arrive at a
               recycling rate that has the same scope as the standard recycling rate. If inconsistencies do not exist, then
               calculate estimated waste generation using the following method:


            1) Per Capita Waste Generation:
                Total Annual MSW
                    Generated
                    (from study)
    Total Population
      (year of study)
     Per Capita Waste
        Generation
            2) Estimated Waste Generation:
                 Per Capita Waste
                    Generation
Current Measurement Year
     Total Population
     Estimated MSW
        Generation
           (tons)
This is the denominator of
the recycling rate equation.
    (for Worksheet B3).
           3B.  If you do not have a waste characterization study, or your study does not define MSW in the same way
               as the standard definition used here, calculate estimated waste generation using the following equation:
            1) Estimated Waste Generation:
             Current Measurement Year
                  Total Population
                                            0.78 tons/person/year*   —
                                   Estimated Waste
                                      Generation
                                         (tons)
                               This is the denominator of
                              the recycling rate equation.
                                  (for Worksheet B3).
  5
8/11/97
            "U.S. EPA. 1997. Characterization Study of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1996 Update.
             EPA530-R-97-015. Washington, DC.

-------
        Calculating Your
        Municipal  Solid Waste
        (MSW)  Recycling  Rate
Use this worksheet to determine your state or locality's MSW recycling rate for the
current measurement year.
 Who Should Use This Worksheet:
   State and local governments that do not currently have a recycling measurement system in place
   and are establishing a recycling rate for the first time.

   State and local governments that are redesigning their recycling measurement system according
   to the standard methodology.
 What You Will Need:
  Total MSW recycled from Worksheet B1.

  Total MSW generated from Worksheet B2.

-------
           I.   Calculating Your Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Rate
           Calculate your state or local MSW recycling rate according to the following equation:
                                                      x  100 =
            Total MSW Recycled
             (from Worksheet B1,
                  Pan 3)
Total MSW Generated
 (from Worksheet 82,
Part1G,2D,3A,or3B)
Municipal Solid Waste
  Recycling Rate (%)
  2
8/11/97

-------
> ~o
  0>
  10 5
  to
  CD
§"5" 51
& co 3
<"  o s.
 :    3
m
O     (D
=!     =!


o    £

O    -D

K)    o



o>    a

-------