United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5306W)
EPA-530-F-99-017h
October 1999
www.epa.gov/osw
Falls Church,
Virginia
65% Residential Waste Reduction
Overview
Falls Church made a commitment to recycling in 1989
when it hired its first Recycling Coordinator. A city code,
effective since 1991, requires the city to provide curbside
recycling and yard debris services to all residents receiving
city trash service. The city provides weekly trash and
curbside recycling services, and brush, fall leaves, and bagged
yard debris collection. In addition, the city operates a drop-
off facility for recyclables. Falls Church's waste reduction rate
increased from 39% in FY90 to 65% in FY97 (25% through
recycling and 40% through composting). The biggest gain
was in recycling, which rose from 10% to 25%. During the
same period, per household trash disposal was cut nearly in
half.
Keys to High Waste Reduction
Collection of a wide range of materials for recovery, year-
round curbside yard debris collection, and community
involvement and education programs contribute to Falls
Church's waste reduction success. Falls Church accepts 14
types of recyclables in its curbside collection program and
three additional categories at its drop-off facility. Materials
accepted include paperboard, mail, aluminum foil and scrap,
and some household batteries. Falls Church has many
mature lawns and trees and yard debris is a significant
component of the city's waste stream.
Each household generates more than
five pounds of yard debris per day. The
city's fall leaf collection and processing
program is alone responsible for 45% of
the city's total waste diversion. Falls
Church operates a multi-faceted
education and outreach program that
includes personal contact, volunteer
participation, written materials, and
school and community programs.
One notable program, the city's
DHALU
POPULATION: 9,578
(1989); 10,000 (1996,
estimate)
HOUSEHOLDS: 4,637 (1996);
2,194 single-family
households, 1,441 multi-
family units, 431
townhomes, 571
condominiums
1 RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM SUMMARY 1
FY90
Tons Per Year 6,956
Percent Diverted 39%
Recycled 10%
Composted
Average Ibs./HH/day 13.23
FY97
6,655
65%
25%
40%
12.45
Net Program Costs/HH $372.21 $215.21
Disposal Services $194.43 $104.30
Diversion Services $177.78 $110.91
Notes: 2,880 households served in 1990; 2,928 in 1997. 1990
dollars adjusted to 1997 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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"Recycling Block Captain" program involves
more than 100 community volunteers who
distribute recycling information in their
neighborhoods and serve as a liaison between
residents and the city.
Cost-Effectiveness
Falls Church experienced a $420,000
decrease in its solid waste management budget
from FY90 to FY97. In 1996, the city spent
about $215 per household served by city
waste management programs ($104 on
trash collection and disposal, $38
on recycling, and $73 on yard
debris collection and recovery).
On a per-ton basis, trash cost $139
and waste reduction cost $73 (recycling cost
$62, and yard debris recovery $80).
The city's waste reduction program is cost-
effective due to a reduction in trash routes
made possible by decreased trash generation,
and a fee structure whereby increased
recycling does not increase costs because the
recycling contractor is paid per household
MATERIALS RECOVERED
CURBSIDE:
newspaper, magazines and catalogs, corrugated cardboard
mixed paper (including mail, copier and computer paper, colored and glossy
paper, envelopes, folders, note cards, paperboard, and phone books)
glass containers
metal cans
#1 and #2 plastic bottles
white goods
brush, grass clippings, leaves, and other yard and garden debris
DROP-OFF:
all materials collected at curbside (excluding
compostables)
plus:
aluminum foil
and pie pans
scrap metal
some household
batteries
City workers vacuuming
autumn leaves in Falls Church
RESIDENTIAL WASTE GENERATION
PER HOUSEHOLD PER DAY
13.0
•S 9.0
FY90
FY94
FY97
Trash ] Recycling
Source: institute for Local Se!f-Re!iance, 1999.
Composting
served. Falls Church reduced trash collection
from twice to once weekly in 1991, less than
one year after the city started multi-material
curbside recycling. As a result, the city cut
trash collection labor needs by one-third.
Unlike recycling, trash, brush, and yard debris
costs grow as these streams increase because of
tonnage-based tip fees the city pays for their
management. In the 1990s, the greatest
increase in the city's diversion rate resulted
from recycling.
Tips for Replication
Community involvement and
encouraging volunteers are critical to keeping
residents motivated and participating.
Educate the community, especially
children, because children can have a big effect
on a household's behavior.
Recover yard debris.
Make program participation convenient.
Contact
Annette Mills
Coordinator
Recycling and Litter Prevention
City of Falls Church, Dept. of Public Works
Harry E. Wells Building, 300 Park Avenue
Falls Church.VA 22046-3332
PHONE: 703-241-5176
FAX: 703-241-5184
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