Population:
 Type of Community:
    Type of Program:
 Program Start Date:

Gainesville's move to
   pay-as-you-throw
       did more than
   reduce waste and
 increase recycling-it
      created a more
 equitable system for
            residents.
                                                                             EPA530-F-97-007C
                       PAY-AS-YOU-THROW   SUCCESS  STORIES
                       Gainesville,   Florida
96,000

Suburban

Cart-based Cans

October 1994

Why Pay-As-You-Throw?
  The results of the first year of our
       program were amazing. After
implementing pay-as-you-throw, we
   watched our recycling rates soar!
                       Before variable-rate pricing, the cost to indi-
                       viduals for service was hidden. Residential
                       users did not have an apparent reason to
                       limit their disposal habits. Now, Gainesville's
                       variable-rate pricing generates a visible
                       monthly charge that has resulted in a sub-
                       stantial reduction in both solid waste and
                       the costs associated with its disposal.
           How Does It Work?
           In July 1994, the city of Gainesville entered
           into a contract with Waste Management of
           Central Florida, Inc., for the collection of
           residential solid waste and commingled
           recyclables and into another contract with
           Boone Waste Industries, Inc., for the collec-
           tion of yard trash for recycling.  The new
           contract for solid waste service included a
           variable rate for residential collections:
              lu July jjf W3j I(ll. -  ^


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residents pay $13.50, $15.96, or $19.75
per month according to whether they
place 35, 64, or 96 gallons of solid
waste at the curb for collection.
Recycling service is unlimited. While
residents have had curbside collection
of recyclables since 1989, the imple-
mentation of this program added
brown paper bags, corrugated card-
board, and phone books to the list of
items recycled.

Planning Ahead
Planning ahead was critical to the suc-
cess  of Gainesville's program. It was cru-
cial for us to order our carts and public
outreach publications far in  advance of
program implementation.
Success: Saving Money and
Reducing Waste
The results of the first year of our pro-
gram were amazing. The amount of
solid waste collected decreased  18
percent, and  the recyclables recovered
increased  25  percent!  The total dispos-
al tonnage decreased  from 22,120 to
18,116.  This resulted in a savings  of
$186,200 to the residential sector, or
$7.95 per  home.
Gainesville's move to a cart-based, vari-
able-rate residential collection system
did more than just increase the rate of
recovery and  minimize disposal needs.
The distribution of system costs is more
equitable.  Residents make the choice of
service delivery based  on individual
waste-generation habits.  This reduces
the level of subsidy that unlimited, flat-
rate collection systems encounter.
Gainesville's success story was compiled by Gina Hawkins, Recycling Coordinator,
(352) 334-5040.

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