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). ------- "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 ------- |