United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(OS-305)
EPA/530-SW-90-056
Fall 1990
vvEPA
NEW
EPA Calls for Comments
on Paper Procurement
Issues
Government procurement of
products containing recycled
materials is a key aspect of developing
markets for recycling, and procuring
agencies can play a strong leadership
role in promoting the use of such
products. EPA recently published a
notice in the Federal Register address-
ing several issues related to government
procurement of recycled goods, focusing
on recycled paper.
EPA has issued five guidelines
designed to encourage government
purchase of products containing
materials recovered from solid waste.
To date, guidelines have been set for
cement and concrete containing fly ash,
paper and paper products containing
recovered materials, lubricating oils
containing re-refined oil, retread tires,
and building insulation products. As
procuring agencies have implemented
these guidelines, a number of issues
have arisen and been identified by EPA.
In the recent notice, EPA is request-
ing public comment on the following
issues regarding possible changes to
the paper procurement guideline:
Postconsumer content standards -
Postconsumer paper is that which has
been used as a consumer item (such
as old newspapers). When the paper
procurement guideline was issued, the
Agency was not able to recommend
Postconsumer standards for writing
and printing papers due to lack of
widespread availability of these
papers. During the last year, however,
there have been developments in the
paper industry that may make such
standards feasible for these grades
of paper in the near future.
Deinked content standards - As a
possible alternative to postconsumer
content standards, EPA is considering
recommending deinked wastepaper
standards. A deinked wastepaper
standard would include all postcon-
sumer recovered materials and
printed "preconsumer" waste (such as
printer's overruns). The standard
would include recovered materials that
typically must be deinked before being
converted into pulp for printing and
writing papers.
Developments in the paper
industry may make post-
consumer standards for
writing and printing papers
feasible in the near future.
Phased-in approach - If it is not
possible at this time to recommend
either postconsumer or deinked
wastepaper minimum content, EPA
may consider a phased-in ap-
proach that would specify procuring
agencies use a certain percentage
of postconsumer or deinked waste-
paper content at some future time.
"Mill broke" definition - Mill broke
is defined as any paper waste
generated before completion of the
papermaking process. There is con-
cern that some mills may be using
only accumulated in-house paper
waste to manufacture a paper batch
(Continued on page 8)
In This Issue
EPA Calls for Comments on
Paper Procurement Issues
(P-1)
Three New Tools for MSW
Managers (p. 2)
Program Rewards
Excellence in MSW
Education and
Recycling (p. 2)
SWICH Goes On Line (p. 3)
EDF Campaigns to Save
the World (p. 3)
Order Boosts Contractor
Use of Recycled Paper (p. 3)
A Symbol of Our Times
(P-4)
Great Lakes Workgroup
Encourages Paper Reuse
(p. 4)
Consumer Handbook
Offers Creative Ways to
Reduce Waste (p. 4)
Upcoming Workshops (p. 5)
A Look at Unit Pricing (p. 6)
Cities Meet the Recycling
Challenge (p. 7)
Maricopa County Uses
Constructive Process to
Site Landfill (p. 7)
Youths Learn Crime
Doesn't Pay...But
Recycling Does (p. 8)
(eusable News is the
quarterly newsletter of the
EPA Office of Solid Waste's
Municipal and industrial Solid
Waste Division. Reusable News
reports on the efforts of EPA
and others to safely and effectively
manage the nation's garbage, and
provides useful information about
key issues and concerns in MSW
management. 1
-------
Program Rewards
Excellence in MSW
Education and Recycling
The Governmental Refuse Collection
and Disposal Association (GRCDA)
is expanding its annual Excellence
Awards Program this year to include
two new areas: solid waste education
and recycling. GRCDA presented
its first excellence awards, in
landfilling, in 1986. Each year there-
after the association has chosen to
target for recognition an additional area
or areas of growing national interest. In
addition to landfilling, excellence
awards are currently offered for
achievement in waste collection and
energy combustion (waste to energy).
Educating the public about solid
waste issues is an important step in
promoting improvements in federal,
state, and local solid waste manage-
ment. The Excellence in Solid Waste
Education Program will reward efforts
to bring high-quality educational
programs to the classroom and the
community. Awards will be offered in the
categories of K-12 curricula and public
education. The GRCDA Public Educa-
tion Committee, made up of solid waste
management professionals involved
and interested in education, will judge
the entries. Winners will be selected on
the basis of technical accuracy, suc-
cess in meeting goals, quality of com-
munications, design quality, originality,
and timeliness of the program. All
entries must be received by January 31,
1991.
For the first time this year as well, the
Recycling and Waste Minimization
Committee of GRCDA is launching an
awards program in the area of recy-
cling. Awards will be presented for ex-
cellence in five categories: collection,
processing, marketing, source reduc-
tion, and public education. The applica-
tion process for this program will be in
two phases. After an initial screening
phase, the awards committee will issue
The Excellence in Solid
Waste Education
Program will reward
efforts to bring
high-quality educational
programs to the
classroom and the
community.
selected applicants a more in-depth ap-
plication. The winners will be chosen
from this second round of applications.
Applications for the first phase are due
December 31,1990.
All of the GRCDA's [Excellence
Awards will be presented atthe GRCDA
29th Annual International Symposium
on Solid Waste Management, to be held
August 12 to 15, 1991, in Cincinnati,
Ohio. Within each program category,
awards will be presented for Excel-
lence, Meritorious Achievement, and
Honorable Mention. The number of
awards given will depend on the num-
ber of high-quality applications
received.
For further information and applica-
tion materialsforthe Excellence in Solid
Waste Education Program, write to Lori
Swain or Monica Hauck at GRCDA,
P.O. Box 7219, Silver Spring, Maryland
20910. To apply to the Recycling, Col-
lection, Landfill, or Waste-to-Energy Ex-
cellence Programs, write to Bob Peters
at the same address. H
Three New
Tools for MSW
Managers
Several hands-on documents are
available to help state and locaj
municipal solid waste decision-maker
promote recycling, develop com-]
prehensive solid waste managemer
plans, and learn how to compost. The
documents provide technical assis-j
tance, inform officials about efforts cor
ducted in other municipalities, anc
suggest solid waste programs that car
serve as models for use by towns anc
cities initiating their own new programs!
With funding provided by EPA's Office
of Cooperative Environmental
Management and Office of Solic
Waste, the International City Manage^
ment Association (ICMA) compilec
and printed the documents. They are:|
• Promoting a Municipal Recycling
Program (CLHS #40387, $17.00).!
This handbook provides information!
on educational and promotional ef-j
forts developed by several cities anc
towns for their recycling programs.J
The handbook covers four
municipalities: Seattle, Washington;!
Takoma Park, Maryland; Prairie!
Village, Kansas; and HomewoodJ
Illinois. The handbook contains!
background information on eachl
community's recycling program, asl
well as actual copies of the promo-l
tional and informational literature!
developed by the community to|
spread the word about recycling.
• Solid Waste Master Plan (CLHS I
#40388, $17.00). Dakota County,
Minnesota's master plan articulates I
goals, objectives, and policies for!
waste reduction, materials separa-l
tion, processing, waste disposal,
and implementation, as well as)
program costs. [
H Leaf Composting Program (CLHS I
#40375, $13.00), This report
describes collection'methods, com-
post facility operations, processing,
distribution, and safety measures
used in a successful composting
program in Falls Township, Pennsyl-1
vania. :
To order these documents, call ICMA |
at (202) 289-4262.1 [
-------
EPA Publications Plastics
The following publications are available at
no charge from the EPA RCRA/Superfund
Hotline.
Call (800) 424-9346.
General
America's War on Waste - Environmental
Fact Sheet
Bibliography of Municipal Solid Waste
Management Alternatives
Characterization of Municipal
Combustion Ash, Ash Extracts, and
Leachates - Executive-Summary
Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste
in the United States:
1990 Update - Executive Summary
Decision-Maker's Guide to Solid Waste
Management (Volume I)
Reusable News - Winter
Reusable News - Spring
Reusable News - Summer
Sites for pur Solid Waste: A Guidebook
for Effective Public Involvement
Siting Our Solid Waste: Making Public
Involvement Work
Unit Pricing: Providing an Incentive to
Reduce Waste
Variable Rates in Solid Waste:
Handbook for Solid Waste
Officials - Executive Summary
Source Reduction
EPA/530-SW-90-002
EPA/530-SW-89-055
EPA/530-SW-90-029B
EPA/530-SW-90-042A
EPA/530-SW-89-072
EPA/530-SW-90-018
EPA/530-SW-90-039
EPA/530-SW-90-055
EPA/530-SW-90-019
EPA/530-SW-90-020
EPA/530-SW-91-005
EPA/530-SW-90-084A
Be An Environmentally Alert Consumer EPA/530-SW-90-034A
Characterization of Products Containing
Lead and Cadmium in Municipal Solid
Waste in the United States,
1970 to 2000 - Executive Summary
The Environmental Consumer's Handbook
EPA/530-SW-89-015C
EPA/530-SW-90-034B
Recycling
Recycling Brochure
Recycling Works!
Used Oil
EPA/530-SW-88-050
EPA/530-SW-89-014
How to Set Up a Local Program to
Recycle Used Oil
Recycling Used Oil: For Service Stations
and Other Vehicle Service Facilities
Recycling Used Oil: 10 Steps to Change
Your Oil
Recycling Used Oil: What Can You Do
EPA/530-SW-89-039A
EPA/530-SW-89-039D
EPA/530-SW-89-039C
EPA/530-SW-89-039B
Methods to Manage and Control Plastic
Wastes - Executive Summary
The Facts About Plastics in the
Marine Environment
The Facts on Degradable Plastics
The Facts on Recycling Plastics
Plastics: The Facts About Production,
Use, and Disposal
Plastics: The Facts on Source Reduction
Educational Materials
EPA/530-SW-89-051A
EPA/530-SW-90-017B
EPA/530-SW-90-017D
EPA/530-SW-90-017E
EPA/530-SW-90-017A
EPA/530-SW-90-017C
Adventures of the Garbage Gremlin
Let's Reduce and Recycle: Curriculum
for Solid Waste Awareness
Recycle Today: Educational Materials
for Grades K-12
Ride the Wave of the Future:
Recycle Today!
School Recycling Programs:
A Handbook for Educators
EPA/530-SW-90-024
EPA/530-SW-90-005
EPA/530-SW-90-025
EPA/530-SW-90-010
EPA/530-SW-90-023
The following EPA publications are
available for a fee from the National
Technical Information Services (NTIS).
Call (703) 487-4650.
Characterization of Municipal Solid
Waste Combustion Ash, Ash Extracts,
and Leachate PB90-187 154
Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste
in the United States: 1990 Update PB90-215 112
The Effects of Weight- or Volume-Based
Pricing on Solid Waste Management PB91 -111 484
Methods to Manage and Control
Plastic Wastes PB90-163 106
Office Paper Recycling: An
Implementation Manual PB90-199 431
Promoting Source Reduction and
Recycling in the Marketplace PB90-163 122
Variable Rates in Solid Waste: Handbook
for Solid Waste Officials PB90-272 063
Yard Waste Composting: A Study of
Eight Programs PB90-163 114
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Municipal Solid Waste Contacts
Headquarters Contacts
Municipal and Industrial Solid Waste Division
(OS-301)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW.
Washington, DC 20460
Bruce Weddle
Director
(202) 475-9872
Bob Dellinger
Deputy Director
(202) 47S-9872
Waste Reduction and Management
Branch
Mike Flynn
Chief
(202) 382-3346
I
r i
Residuals Source Reduction
Management Section Section
Recycling and Implementation
Branch
Industrial Solid Waste
Branch i
Truett DeGeare
Chief
(202) 382-6261
I
r i
Recycling Implementation
Section Section
Jim Lounsbury
Chief
(202)382-4807
Region 1
Ron Jennings
Waste Management Division
(HEE-CAN6)
U.S. EPA-Region!
JFK Federal Building
Boston, MA 02203
FTS 8-833-1656
(617) 573-9656
Region 2
Stanley Siegel
Air and Waste Management Division
(2AWM-HWP)
U.S. EPA-Region 2
26 Federal Plaza
New York. NY 10278
FTS 8-264-3384
(212) 264-3384
Region 3
Andrew Uricheck
Waste Management Branch
(3HW53)
U.S. EPA-Region 3
841 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
FTS 8-597-0982
(215) 597-0982
Regional Contacts
Region 4
Patricia Zweig
Waste Management Division
(4WD)
U.S. EPA-Region 4
345 Courtland Street, NE.
Atlanta, GA 30365
FTS 8-257-2091
(404) 347-2091
Region 5
Bill MacDowell
Waste Management Division
(5HR-13)
U.S. EPA-Region 5
230 South Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60602
FTS 8-886-9096
(312)886-0976
Region 6
Will Lemmond
RCRA Program Branch
(6H-H)
U.S. EPA-Region 6
First Interstate Bank Tower
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202
FTS 8-255-6760
(214)655-6760
Region 7
Chet Mclaughlin
Waste Management Division
(STPG)
U.S. EPA-Region 7
726 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
FTS 8-276-7666
(913)551-7666
Region 8
Judith Wong ,
Hazardous Waste Management Division
(8HWM-RM)
U.S. EPA-Region 8
999 18th Street, Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2405
FTS 8-330-1667
(303)293-1667
Region 9
Hazardous Waste Management Division
(H-3-1)
U.S. EPA-Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
FTS 8-484-2095
(415) 744-2095 i
Region 10
MikeBussell
Hazardous Waste Division
(HW-072)
U.S. EPA-Region 10 i
1200 Sixth Avenue ;
Seattle, WA 98101 ;
FTS 8-399-2857 i
(206) 442-2857
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SWICH Goes On Line
The Solid Waste Information
Clearinghouse (SWICH) library is
now available on a "user-friendly"
electronic bulletin board. By accessing
the bulletin board through a computer
modem, users can view over 6,000 list-
ings of journals, reports, studies,
newsletters, proceedings, films, and
videos, many of which include
abstracts. Users can "search" for litera-
ture on a specific solid waste topic by
title, author, selected keywords, ortype
of media (journal, book, etc.) and date.
Document listings also instruct users
how to order publications, directly in
some cases, through the bulletin at a
minimal charge. SWICH also can be
accessed on site or by phone.
Created through an EPA grant to the
Governmental Refuse Collection and
Disposal Association (GRCDA),
SWICH collects and disseminates in-
formation on all aspects of municipal
solid waste management. The library,
which grows daily due to donations by
universities, industry, and government,
is just one of its services. In addition to
the library, the SWICH electronic
bulletin board allows users to access
up-to-the-minute solid waste informa-
tion, weekly legislative and regulatory
updates, recent case studies, lists of
experts, a calendar of events, and a
listing of hotlines and other information
sources. It even provides a forum for
people to get answers to specific
questions about solid waste issues.
During its first few months of opera-
tion, SWICH has responded to
thousands of requests for information
and literature, receiving an average
of 30 calls per day. To learn more about
how to use the SWICH bulletin
board, call the SWICH Hotline at (800)
67-SWICH. 1
EOF Campaigns to Save
the World
In 1988, the Environmental Defense
Fund (EOF) launched its first nation-
wide advertising campaign to promote
recycling. The campaign with the
Advertising Council was so successful,
obtaining over $28 million in free media
time for the recycling message, that
EOF is creating new public service an-
RECYCLING IS EASY
YOU'VE ALMOST BEEN DOING IT
FOR YEARS.
RECYCLING. THE EVERYDAY WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD.
To limhnil him. phime 1-HIXI-CALL-KDF
nouncements for both broadcast and
print media this year.
The 1990-1991 campaign uses
public service announcements that are
upbeat and humorous, which EOF
hopes will engage nonrecyclers' inter-
est. The message of the recycling ads
is: Recycling. The everyday way to
save the world. "The ads convey that
recycling is easy, and that individual
participation does make a difference,"
says Emily Moore, EDF's Recycling
Campaign Director.
The initial ads, conveying the mes-
sage that "if you're not recycling, you're
throwing it all away," generated over
120,000 telephone calls from in-
dividuals requesting further information
on recycling. EOF sent out brochures to
callers that included information on how
to recycle, as well as referrals to local
recycling facilities, hotlines, and
regional coordinators.
The new ads, developed by Deutsch
Inc. (which also created last year's
ads), will be distributed this fall. EPA
was a major sponsor of the ads, provid-
ing partial funding for the campaign
both this year and last. For further infor-
mation, contact Emily Moore, EOF,
(212)505-2100.1
Order Boosts
Contractor
Use of
Recycled
Paper
As part of EPA's policy to promote
the use of recycled paper, EPA
Administrator William Reilly
recently issued an order that
contractors under all new contracts
use recycled paper when prepar-
ing reports for the Agency.
The order also states that, where
possible, existing contracts should
be modified to include the same
requirements, and that recipients
of EPA grants and cooperative
agreement funds should use
recycled paper, as well.
In a separate source reduc-
tion effort, EPA is encouraging
contractors to use two-sided
copying of all EPA deliverable
reports. This order supplements
existing EPA policy to use
double-sided copying in internal
Agency operations] 1
-------
A Symbol of
Our Times
In 1971, the Recycled Paperboard
Division of the American Paper In-
stitute first adopted the recycling sym-
bol as a means of telling consumers that
products and packaging were made
from high-quality recycled paper that
might otherwise have ended up in
landfills. Today, many leading manufac-
turers, retailers, supermarkets, and
quick service restaurant chains display
the symbol on their packaging and
products.
The three arrow design represents
the three phases of recycling—collec-
tlon of recyclable materials, production
into new recycled paperboard products
and packaging, and consumer recogni-
tion of the importance of recycling in
society. Consumers demonstrate this
recognition by looking for the recycling
symbol on packages when they shop,
and purchasing items that bear it. Ac-
cording to a recent Gallup poll, 4 out of
10 consumers recognize the recycling
symbol on products, and 7 out of 10 said
that they would choose a product with
the recycling symbol over one without if
given a choice between two otherwise
identical items.
V
The original recycling symbol con-
sists of white arrows on a black or green
circle, and indicates that products and
packaging are made from recycled
materials. Another symbol, known as
the recyc/ab/esymbol, has white arrows
on a white background and no circle.
This symbol is used on products that
can be recycled easily. To obtain free
camera-ready art of the recycling sym-
bol or to learn more about its use on
paper and paperboard products, write:
Manager, Recycled Paperboard
Division, American Paperboard In-
stitute, 260 Madison Avenue, New York,
NY 10016.1
Consumer Handbook Offers
Creative Ways to Reduce
Waste
Today, consumers face tough environmental decisions every time they
I shop. Even with good intentions, it's not always clear how to do the right
thing. EPA's new booklet, The Environmental Consumer's Handbook, is
designed to help consumers make environmentally aware decisions about the
products and packaging they purchase, use, and ultimately dispose of. The
handbook lists over 75 practical tips for reducing and recycling trash, including
household hazardous waste.
The handbook points :out that one way to cut down on trash is to reuse
products and packages. Like the old tale that says cats have nine lives, so do
many of the items people use everyday. For example, the containerthat began
its life as a peanut butter jar can be washed and reused to store buttons, thumb
tacks, or other items.
In addition to suggestions for reducing and recycling waste, the handbook
also contains a glossary, a bibliography, and a listing of state environmental
agencies and EPA Regional Offices. See the "Hot Off the Hotline" box on page
5 for ordering information, fi
Great Lakes Workgroup
Encourages Paper Reuse
t the initiative of EPA Region 5, a
pulp and paper workgroup
has been established in the Great
Lakes states. The goals of the group
are to identify problems related to
postconsumer wastepaper recycling
and to formulate ways to increase the
use of postconsumer wastepaper in
the Great Lakes area. In addition to
EPA Region 5, the nine-member
workgroup includes representatives
from the Illinois Department of Energy
and Natural Resources, the American
Paper Institute, paper manufacturers,
brokers, and end users. Roger P.
Hoffman, Executive Vice President ofl
Green Bay Packaging, is chairman ofl
the workgroup. During its first meeting!
held in August, the group agreed to|
focus its efforts on increasing the use!
of old newspapers ancJ lower grades!
of paper, encouraging organizations!
to buy products [made from!
postconsumer wastepaper, prepar-J
ing wastepaper quality guidelines,!
and increasing public education on I
wastepaper needs. For more informa-l
tion about the workgroup, contact f
Jay Bergamini at (31J2) 886-7598.1
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Procurement
Workshops
Slated for 1991
EPA's 10 Regional Offices will
host a series of workshops
geared toward federal, state, and
local officials on the procurement of
recycled products. The workshops,
which will be held in each EPA
Region, will emphasize the impor-
tant role of procurement in closing
the recycling loop. These
workshops will be held between
January and June 1991.
The recent Governors' Sym-
posium on Recycling and Recycled
Product Procurement, held in Albu-
querque, New Mexico, served as a
pilot for the series. Approximately
250 people attended the con-
ference, which included workshops
on such topics as paper procure-
ment, collection of recyclables,
container recycling, transportation
(used oil and tires), and construc-
tion materials. EPA representatives
attended the conference to gather
information and suggestions forthe
upcoming series of Regional
workshops. 1
Integrated Waste
Management
Workshops
Open Dialogue
For the second year, EPA will
offer a series of regional
workshops focusing on integrated
solutions to solid waste issues. The
workshops aim to share informa-
tion and foster a dialogue among
legislative officials, state solid
waste program personnel, and
other state and federal program
staff. The workshops will em-
phasize implementation of the
revised EPA criteria for MSW
landfills. 1
More information on these
workshops will be provided hi
future issues of Reusable
News.
Hot Off the Hotline.
UESTION: Does the U.S. Postal Service print stamps on recycled paper?
NSWER: The Postal Service does not at this time print stamps on recycled
kpaperbecause of two major obstacles. First, the quality of recycled paper
needed to produce the artwork that appears on stamps is so high that it would
increase the Postal Service's paper costs by 20 percent. This would in turn
raise the costs of mail service. Second, recycled paper contains luminescent
materials, such as paper whiteners and ink, that interfere with the mail process
equipment used in cancelling stamps. The Postal Service cpntinues to work
on solutions to these problems; however, and has plans to incorporate
recycled paper into some of its other products. In February, for example, it will
produce the first issue of a pre-stamped envelope made of recycled paper, i
Resources
i:The following publications are available at no charge from the EPA
RCRA/Superfund Hotline. Call (800)424-9346 Monday through Friday, 8:30
a.'m. to 7:30 p.m. ES,T ;
The Environmental Consumer's Handbook (EPA/530-SW-90-034B), Describes
over75 practical steps that individuals can take to reduce and recycle theirtrash.
Sites for Our Solid \ Waste: A Guidebook for Effective Public Involvement
(EPA/530-SW-90-019). Describes:how to develop a.facility siting strategy that
effectively involves the community. A pamphlet entitled Siting 'Our Solid Waste:
Making Public Involvement Work (EPA/530-SW-90-020) is also available.
Unit Pricing: Providing an Incentive to Reduce Waste (EPA/530-SW-91-005).
Provides an introduction to unit pricing and identifies some of the issues that
solid waste managers must consider in implementing variable rate collection
programs in their communities. , ; '
Variable Rates in Solid Waste: Handbook for Solid Waste Officials - Volume I—-
Executive Summary :(EPA/530-SW-90-084A). Explores the feasibility, design,
arid operational considerations of different types of unit pricing programs.
Volume II—Detailed Manual (EPA/530-SW-90-084B) describes, the steps
needed to determine the feasibility of a variable rate program, and to design and
implement a system tailored to a community's specific nee;ds. Volume II is
available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Call (703)487-
4650 and ask for PB90-272 063. Also available from NTIS js The Effects of
Weight- or Volume-Based Pricing on Solid Waste Management (EPA/530-SW-
90-047), which describes how unit pricing works, and explains the effects of
such a system on households and communities. " I
-------
Waste managers in many parts of
the country are seeking new
ways to solve the problems of
diminishing landfill space and rising
costs. Unit pricing of garbage collec-
tion, where customers pay for waste
pickup based on the volume or weight
of the waste they produce, has shown
promise in reducing both the amount
of the waste and the cost of collection.
Several recent EPA publications
provide valuable background informa-
tion, as well as practical tips, on im-
plementing unit pricing programs in
communities.
Unit Pricing: Providing an Incentive
to Reduce Waste provides an intro-
duction to unit pricing and describes
some of the issues solid waste
managers must consider when im-
plementing a weight- or volume-
based collection program.
Variable Rates in Solid Waste:
Handbook for Solid Waste Officials
provides information on at volume-
based MSW collection program im-
plemented in Seattle, Washington, 9
years ago. The program garnered
widespread participation in waste
reduction and recycling efforts and
significantly reduced the amount of
trash entering the waste stream. In
addition to describing Seattle's
program, the handbook explores the
feasibility, design, and operational
considerations of different types of
unit pricing programs to assist com-
munities nationwide in implementing
programs geared to their needs.
Another EPA report, The Effects of
Weight- or Volume-Based Pricing on
Solid Waste Management, describes
in detail how unit pricing works, and
explains the effects of such a system
on households and communities. It
also presents case studies from
three communities where unit pricing
systems have been implemented. In
these communities, unit pricing has
resulted in decreases in overall
waste generation, reductions in con-
ventional waste collection, and in-
creased participation in voluntary or
mandatory recycling programs.
See the "Hot Off the Hotline" box
on page 5 for information on how to
order these three publications. 8
Seattle Puts Garbage Hogs
on a Diet
Pricing for
Under a unit pricing program in
Seattle, Washington, the city bills
citizens for refuse collection based on
the volume of waste they generate.
Households can fill either mini cans
(about 1/3 the size of typical garbage
cans) or the garbage hog (Which, as
its name implies, holds a lot of gar-
bage). Citizens are
then billed according
to the size and num-
ber of cans they put
at the curb.
The system,
which is called a
"variable can" or
"volume-based rate
structure" system,
has proven to be an
effective incentive
for producing less
trash. Since the
program's introduc-
tion 9 years ago,
Seattle households
have reduced the average number of
trash cans filled per week from three-
and-one-half to just over one can.
The volume-based rates have also
contributed to the success of
Seattle's recycling programs. The
city has achieved a 75 percent signup
rate in its curbside recycling program,
and, in 1989, succeeded in diverting
about 420,000 tons of waste for recy-
cling, or 756 pounds per participating
household. A curbside yard waste
program diverted over 31,000 tons of
residential waste to a composting
facility.
Seattle has recently begun ex-
perimenting with a
weight-based vari-
able rate system.
Under a program
funded by EPA,
Seattle is fitting
garbage trucks
with scales and
electronic bar-
coding equipment
to enable the city
to charge cus-
tomers for waste
pickup by the
pound. Weight-
based rates may
provide an even
greater incentive to reduce waste.
With volume-based systems,
citizens must reduce their trash
by an entire can to see a dif-
ference in their rate structure. With
weight-based systems, every item
of trash makes a difference. S
"TTWO communities were studied in
I 1987-1989 to determine the effect
of unit pricing on waste collection and
management. Both communities in-
itiated mandatory unit pricing
programs in 1988 and both had recy-
cling programs in place during the
study. Perkasie, Pennsylvania, a
small suburban community,
decreased its waste generation by 18
percent during that time period. Ilion,
New York, a semirural area, reduced
its waste by 29 percent.
Unit pricing also resulted in large in-
creases in recycling in these com-
munities. In Perkasie, Pennsylvania,
the weight of recycled materials col-
lected increased by 190 percent due to
unit pricing. Ilion realized a net increase
in voluntarily recycled materials of 130
percent.
In addition, the unit pricing system
enabled both communities to save in
overall annual costs of waste
management. Although the costs of
collection with unit pricing were slight-
ly higher than the costs for conven-
tional waste disposal, these were
more than offset by the "avoided"
costs of tipping fees for additional
waste not generated under the unit
pricing program. §
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Cities Meet the Recycling Challenge
The U.S. Conference of Mayors and
the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation
have created a new awards program to
recognize outstanding'urban recycling
programs and to promote recycling
nationwide. It's particularly important to
acknowledge successful recycling ef-
forts in cities, given the high population
densities and the economic and
demographic complexities of urban
centers, which can make recycling chal-
lenging. The winning programs will
serve as models for other communities,
with booklets describing successful ef-
forts available for national distribution.
A grand award winner will be
selected in each of two categories:
1) cities with populations of 100,000
and above, and 2) cities with popula-
tions of less than 100,000. Cities that
have participated in regional or
community recycling efforts may
also apply. Each winner will receive
a $20,000 grant to be used for public
education programs on recycling.
Four Honorable Mention winners
will also be named.
The panel of judges for the recycling
awards will include representatives
from academia, environmental or-
ganizations, and government. Applica-
tion forms were sent to all mayors in
October. The application deadline is
February 1,1991. For others interested
in receiving an application or further
information, call Ron Musselwhite,
U.S. Conference of Mayors, (202) 293-
7330.1
Maricopa County, Arizona, Uses
Constructive Process to Site Landfill
Public officials that are responsible
for siting MSW landfills and
combustors must grapple with a
complex set of issues and com-
munity attitudes. These issues
must be resolved if the siting is to
be successful.
In Maricopa County, Arizona, public
officials developed a successful siting
strategy by involving the public
throughout the decision-making
process.
Maricopa County officials joined
forces with the City of Phoenix to con-
struct a new landfill in the Phoenix
metropolitan area several years ago.
They did not anticipate opposition to
the project since the proposed siting
area consisted of desert or un-
developed farmland. But at the first
public meeting held to discuss the
proposed sites, several hundred
angry residents opposed the siting.
Maricopa County officials responded
to the opposition by creating a
public involvement program that
gave residents an important role in
the decision-making process.
The Maricopa County officials
worked to reach consensus with
citizens on many controversial issues
during the siting process. During the
site selection phase, the officials
worked with a citizen advisory com-
mittee of 28 people to develop site
selection criteria (such as the poten-
tial for impacts on water quality, noise
levels, and traffic congestion) for
evaluating potential sites. Using this
process, the initial 24 sites proposed
for the facility were reduced to 7,
which underwent more intense study.
When the final site was selected, the
feedback from public hearings was
strongly supportive. During the
project design, public involvement
continued, with citizens and public of-
ficials working together to minimize
visual and traffic impacts, as well as
threats to area water supplies.
EPA has published a guidebook for
officials who would like to learn more
about how to involve the public effec-
tively in the siting process. The
guidebook, entitled Sites for Our
Solid Waste: A Guidebook for Effec-
tive Public Involvement, is now avail-
able from the RCRA/Superfund Hotline.
See the "Hot Off the Hotline" box on
page 5 for ordering information! fl
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Youths Learn Crime Doesn't
Pay... But Recycling
Does
In Montgomery County, Tennessee,
youths who are assigned public ser-
vice work by the Court are likely to find
themselves knee deep in trash. Under
a program started in 1989, juveniles
who have committed minor offenses,
such as traffic violations, are being
required to locate recyclables in their
community, match them with available
markets, and donate recycling
proceeds to local charities. In the past
year, 72 youths assigned to public
service in recycling have donated a
total of $3,600!
Each youth is given from 8 to 40
hours of community service work. For
every 8 hours of work detail assigned,
each youth must collect and redeem
$25 worth of recyclables. To get them
started, case workers provide youths
with a list of local recycling centers and
materialsthat can berecycled, informa-
tion about recycling and related en-
vironmental issues, and the names of
charities in the area.
The youths then go door-to-door in
the community or to local businesses to
find items that could be recycled. They
bring these recyclables to recycling
centers and give the money they earn
to a charity of their choice.
Thus far, the program lhas been
enthusiastically received by parents
and Juvenile Court Judges. By get-
ting involved in recycling efforts in
the community, youths are able to
fulfill their obligation to the Court,
while gaining environmental
awareness, fl
EPA Calls for
Comments on Paper
Procurement Issues
(Continued from page 1)
meeting the guideline's minimum I
content standards, rather than in-
creasing their use of recovered
materials, EPA is requesting com-
ments on how to revise the definition |
to exclude this practice.
The notice also alerts procuring j
agencies that they have a statutory
obligation to promote procurement of
products with recycled content and
describes a new process for expediting j
EPA assistance to procuring agencies.
The process involves the use of
Procurement Guideline Advisories
(PGAs), which are memos to procuring
agencies containing new information
about markets for products covered by
the procurement guidelines.
In the notice, EPA alsb recommends
to government procurement agencies
that it would be appropriate to include in
their minimum content standards
paper containing recovered sawdust
from two mills in Maine.,
To obtain a copy of the Federal
Register notice or for more information
on EPA's procurement guidelines, call
EPA's Procurement Guidelines Hotline
at (703) 941-4452.1 j
The mention of publications, products,
or organizations in this newsletter does
not constitute endorsement or approval
for use by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency. \
Communications, Analysis, and Budget Division (CABD)
OS-305
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW.
Washington, DC 20460
Official Business, Penalty for Private Use $300
Reusable News is printed on recycled paper.
: 1990-518-055
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