United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5306W)
EPA-530-F-99-017f
October 1999
www.epa.gov/osw
Crockett, Texas
52% Residential Waste Reduction
Overview
Prior to 1992, Crockett contracted with a private
company for waste collection and disposal, and no materials
were recovered for recycling or composting. The city ended
its contract with the private company in 1992 with the belief
that city staff could provide trash, recycling, and composting
services at a lower cost. City staff now provide all city
residents with twice weekly trash collection and once weekly
recycling and yard debris collection. City ordinance requires
residents of the city to source-separate designated materials
for recycling and composting. The ordinance also requires
residents to use clear bags for trash, recycling, and yard debris;
which allows collectors to easily identify improperly prepared
materials. The city processes all recyclables and yard debris in
its own facility, markets recyclables directly to end users and
retains all revenue from material sales. In 1996, Crockett
recycled 20% and composted 32% of its residential waste
stream. The city achieved this high diversion rate at a cost
similar to what it formerly paid its contractor. The net cost
of solid waste services has slightly decreased from $72 per
household in 1991 to $69 in 1996.
Keys to High Waste Reduction
Crockett's mandatory, weekly curbside recycling and
composting programs; the use of clear bags for trash,
composting, and recycling; and continuous resident education
have contributed to the city's high
diversion level. Crockett's local
recycling ordinance designates 20
categories of materials that residents
must recycle and requires residents to
separate yard debris for recovery. The
clear bags allow collection staff to see
contamination in bags of recyclables
and yard debris and to see if
designated materials are mixed in
trash set out for collection. Crews
refuse collection of improperly set
out materials and tag them to
DHALU
POPULATION: 8300 (1996)
HOUSEHOLDS: 3,292
(1996); 2,834 in
single-family
dwellings and
duplexes, 459 in
multi-family
dwellings
1991
1996
Tons Per Year
3,450
2,711
Percent Diverted
Recycled
Composted
0%
0%
0%
52%
20%
32%
Average Ibs./HH/day
6.10
4.51
Net Program Costs/HH $71.94 $68.71
Disposal Services $71.94 $24.64
Diversion Services $0 $44.07
Notes: 3,100 households served in 1991; 3,293 in 1996. 1991
dollars adjusted to 1996 dollars using the GDP deflator.
Numbers may not add to total due to rounding.
Source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance, 1999.
This profile is part of the fact sheet Cutting the Waste Stream in Half: Community Record-Setters Show How (EPA-530-F-99-017).
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explain to residents why they were not
collected. These tags provide city crews
opportunities to provide residents education
and feedback when it is most needed. The
city also publicizes waste reduction and public
participation strategies using radio, newspaper,
and other written materials.
Cost-Effectiveness
In 1991, the cost (in 1996 dollars) to the
city to have a private company collect and
dispose its trash was $223,000 or $72 per
household. In 1996, total solid waste costs
were $250,254 but were offset by $24,000 in
revenues so that net solid waste
management costs were $69 per
household. In 1996, trash collection and
disposal costs were $62 per ton, net
recycling costs were $144 per ton, and
composting costs were $78 per ton. Crockett's
program cost-effectiveness is enhanced by high
diversion levels, the dual-collection of
recyclables and yard debris, and the city
CURBSIDE:
newspapers, magazines, corrugated cardboard
mixed paper (phone books, paperboard, office paper, envelopes, maif
glass containers
scrap metal
aluminum foil and plates
cans including empty aerosol cans
all plastics
white goods not containing freon
used motor oil
leaves, brush, grass clippings, and other yard debris
DROP-OFF:
all materials accepted in curbside
program plus oil
filters
RESIDENTIAL WASTE GENERATION
PER HOUSEHOLD PER DAY
7.0
1991 1996
I] Trash ] Recycling
Source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance, 1999.
processing and marketing its own recyclables.
High diversion reduces the need for hauling
trash to the landfill 55 miles away, especially
yard debris diversion as the material is
composted and used locally. City crews collect
recyclables and yard debris on the same truck,
eliminating the need for separate truck fleets
and collection crews. By processing and
marketing its own materials, the city retains all
revenue from the sale of recyclables.
Tips for Replication
Secure the best possible markets for
recyclables.
Use clear bags to make
contamination evident.
Be creative.
Allow commingling.
Build positive relationships with
the public.
Contact
Buddy Robinson
Solid Waste Director
City of Crockett
200 North Fifth
Crockett, TX 75835
PHONE: 409-544-5156 (office), 409-544-4025
(center)
FAX: 409-544-4976
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