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Lucas County Solid Waste Management District

Explore the evolution and challenges of Toledo's curbside recycling program over the years, from compliance agreements to automated collection systems and financial considerations.

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Lucas County Solid Waste Management District

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  1. Lucas County Solid Waste Management District City of Toledo Collection Services Presentation to the Solid Waste Management District/Ohio EPA Workgroup February 2, 2012

  2. City of Toledo Look Back (curbside recycling) August, 1998 Compliance Agreement March, 1997 OEPA notice to District (not in compliance with the Plan) City agrees to provide biweekly curbside recycling as follows: Min 40% of HHs by 12/31/99; 80% of HHs by 12/31/00 and 100% by 5/31/01 May, 2000 – Memo of understanding between District and City for a District $1.00/ton grant to the City for maintaining the curbside collection program.

  3. City of Toledo’s progress over time • March, 2008 PC meeting update • Continuing progress on a single stream recycling pilot, review of an automated collection system, and possible impacts of the City income tax renewal vote. • December , 2008 PC Meeting update • City has decided to go automated but still hasn’t determined its service (public/private) mix. 10,000 HH pilot area initiated

  4. City of Toledo’s budget plan for collection services (refuse/recycling) Proposed RatesFullIf Recycle Jan-Apr ’08 $5.50 $3.00 May-Apr ’09 $7.00 $2.00 May-Apr ’10 $8.50 $1.00 May-Apr ’11 $10.00 $0.00 August, 2009 – 1 bulky pick up per quarter (addtl $50 each) SWAP (Solid Waste Accommodation Program) 2010 – Proposed $15/hh or $8.50/HH if recycle 2010 - Homestead Discount $5.00/HH if recycle

  5. City of Toledo’s progress over time • March 2, 2009 PC Meeting update • City received approval to get financing for the carts and to move forward with automation collection for the entire city. The City is conducting due diligence of privatization vs. internal refuse/recycling collection. Participation in pilot area is up to 90%, while in non-pilot areas is closer to 40-50% participation. • March, 2009 • City of Toledo is seriously considering suspension of their curbside recycling program

  6. City of Toledo’s progress over time • June, 2009 PC Meeting update • The City is struggling to support and fund their program and is in a severe budget crisis at this time – which has raised the question of whether they can fund the recycling program • September, 2009 PC Meeting update • The first automated trucks are scheduled to arrive the week of November 23rd and the 1st automated route will start on 12/7/09. The carts will have an in-mold graphic label to provide recycling information. All carts, new and from pilot program, will be equipped with an RFID tag.

  7. City of Toledo requests District assistance – November 15, 2010 • Promote Regional efficiency • Effectuate needed cost savings • City of Toledo seeks to cease providing refuse and recycling collection services in the City • LCSWMD is legally authorized to assume collection responsibilities • Refuse and recycling collection services can be provided to reduce City costs

  8. Timeline Established

  9. General Conditions of Terms • Program shall be cost and revenue neutral for District • Assurance of uninterrupted service (Seamless transition) • Orderly transition as City ceases operations and District’s contractor commences collection • Billing to continue by the City, Dept. of Public Utilities • District’s contractor to provide customer service • City’s 40 collection trucks purchased by contractor for $8,000,000

  10. Incentive based recycling • Eliminate Holiday Leap forward program • Address un-automated areas (cul-de-sacs, alleys) • Refuse is weekly / Recycling every 2 weeks • Bulk collection (1/quarter) – Fee for extra • Contractor may adjust routes (more efficient) • Fuel surcharge (prior 3 months, >$4 base) • City pays applicable landfill fees

  11. Two Agreements w/ Elected Officials Support • City of Toledo and Solid Waste Management District • Solid Waste Management District and Republic Services “This is a move in the right direction to ensuring we are providing services in the most efficient fashion for our taxpayers,” said Mayor Bell. “Working with the county to provide shared services also provides some structural relief for the city’s budget without adding to the county’s financial burden. I appreciate Commissioner Gerken’s leadership and foresight in working as a partner with the city to make this happen.” “This is a positive step towards increasing efficiency and sharing services between the county and the city,” said Commissioner Pete Gerken. “This partnership has the potential to bring more effective and wider service to the citizens of Toledo and Lucas County.”

  12. Details of Households served • 95,500 households in Toledo - Re-evaluate household count after 6 months, then annually with contract • Carts provided as purchased by City - RFID tags – Sonrai software - Cart replacement – Maint, replacement and disposal incl. in services • Evictions/Demolition – all costs by City • Homestead Exemption Discount (incl. w/ billing)

  13. Seamless Transition • Same trucks; new look • Same collection carts • Still weekly pick-up • Recycling every 2 weeks • Still pay through water bill

  14. Seamless Transition • Same phone number • 419-936-2511 • Still take waste to City owned (Hoffman Road) Landfill • Minimal changes for residents

  15. Eliminating LEAP Forward Program • July 4 was final LEAP • One-day delay for holidays • Includes Saturday pickup • 6 major holidays (vs. 13 holidays recognized by City) • New Year’s Day • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving • Christmas

  16. Start up Issues – Scripts 1 of 4 SITUATION: Customer received letter and sticker on placement of cart, along one way street. EXPLAIN: We understand this is a change to the normal place your trash and/or recycling carts were set, but Republic Services cannot legally go down a one way street the wrong way and the trucks are set up to service on the right hand side of the street. In order to safely service your home, we are asking that you place your cart on only one side of the street. If you would like, we can have someone meet you to show you where to place your cart and how the sticker will assist in getting the cart back to your property.

  17. Start up Issues – Scripts 2 of 4 SITUATION: Recycling truck has not been by yet. EXPLAIN: Your trash and recycling material may be picked up at a different time than you are used to, so please have your trash out before 7:00 AM. or the night before. Also, please remember that Republic Services is doing away with the “leap forward” program which is a great benefit to you!

  18. Start up Issues – Scripts 3 of 4 SITUATION: Disabled Citizens who cannot cross the road EXPLAIN: I will forward your information on to a Republic Services supervisor and they will work with you to find the best solution and they will either talk to you at your house or give you a call.

  19. Start up Issues – Scripts 4 of 4 SITUATION: My Republic Rewards – Recycling Program EXPLAIN: My republic recycling rewards program will not kick off until September 1st. You will be receiving flyers in the mail over the next month with more information on the program and how you can set up to start benefiting from it.

  20. Cost to Residents • $8.95 per month • 45-cent increase • $5.00 for Homestead Exemption residents • Cost increases built into contract • 3% increase each year, five-year contract with up to five-year option to renew • Republic invoices District and District invoices the City • Wire transfer of funds (City to District), then pay Republic

  21. City of Toledo Cost Impact? • Privatization reduces the use of taxpayer dollars from the general fund • Save $6 million annually • $2.8 million in 2011

  22. Former Toledo Collection Employees • How many went to work with Republic? 11 • How many new employees did Republic need? 33 NET HIRING GAIN FOR THE AREA

  23. Incentive Based Recycling • No additional fee for not recycling • Earn points for recycling • My Republic Rewards, powered by RecycleBank • Households can recover full amount invested in waste collection! • Points earn coupons (rewards) for discounts at retailers

  24. Began accumulating points September 1 • Community-based program • 1 lb = 2.5 points • Online account to manage/redeem points • Fully-staffed phone line • Residents must register!

  25. My Republic Rewards • How many have signed up? 24,000 • Meetings to continue the educational process. • Block watch • Fliers • Senior centers • How many points have been spent (redeemed)? • How many rewards orders have there been?

  26. Public Education • Mailings, media, etc. • Increase understanding of changes (pick up day fixed) • Some cart locations adjusted • Assistance at public meetings • Senior concerns addressed • Increase participation in My Republic Rewards

  27. Transition – Collection Volumes What has happened so far! • Truck/Equip purchases and utilizations • Elimination of routes • Baseline on both refuse and recycling tons

  28. Toledo residents Call volume

  29. Recent Community Event • The Sustainability Commission’s “Get Your Green On” contest was for the design of a logo for the group. • Republic held a “Design A Truck” contest for Toledo students from kindergarten through eighth grade promoting recycling • Five students were recognized, one Lucas County high school student by the Sustainability Commission and four elementary students in the Republic contest

  30. “Get Your Green On” contest Presented winner with a $100 gift card to The Andersons and a Kindle

  31. “Design a Truck” contest Presented 4 winners with one-year memberships to Toledo’s Imagination Station and a Kindle

  32. Follow up and working together • Contractor update meetings regarding issues - Meetings with Council members - Meetings with the Mayor - Meetings with the District Meeting monthly in 2012 • Keep Toledo/Lucas Co Beautiful outreach • Republic Services public outreach

  33. What made this work? / Future… • Starts from the TOP (elected officials) • Willing partners (in the industry)… • Collection services in place (leverage others) • Single County District (Regional opportunities) • RECYCLING (Current MRF RFPs sought) • Expand – bundling collection services

  34. Questions? Jim Shaw, P.E. Lucas County Sanitary Engineer jshaw@co.lucas.oh.us Christopher Pizza Lucas County Solid Waste Management District Manager cpizza@co.lucas.oh.us

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