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Changing the Way South Carolina Values Trash . Kristen Brown – Green Waste Solutions April 10, 2013. SC Recycling Industry Challenge. People don’t recycle enough. Businesses need recycled feedstock. 29.5% (2012) MSW Recycling Rate. 4 times more jobs per capita .
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Changing the Way South Carolina Values Trash Kristen Brown – Green Waste Solutions April 10, 2013
SC Recycling Industry Challenge People don’t recycle enough Businesses need recycled feedstock 29.5% (2012) MSW Recycling Rate 4 times more jobs per capita Recycling Industry Jobs are dependent on out of state feedstock
Recycling sparks economic growth and improves South Carolina’s bottom line. • 2006 to 2012: • $4.49 billion in investments • more than 6,900 jobs. • 2012: • 770 recycling jobs were added • $463 million in capital was invested in our state through 19 new or existing companies • Investments were up nearly 30% from the 2011* Robust Recycling Industry • Diverting materials into the recycling stream would have an immediate direct impact on existing industry.
South Carolina 2011 TSW Landfilled MSW and Total Solid Waste SC 2011 TSW Landfilled 7,824,000 Residential per capita disposal 920lbs (MSW 27.5% [2011] recycling rate) Assumptions: 75% of population is residential, 25% of population is multifamily / commercial.
Lost Opportunity (MSW) 32% • $25 Million in wasted disposal fees to landfill by municipalities annually (for residential material). • $150 Million in lost tons revenue by local government and haulers annually (depending on commodity pricing). 22% tons Just over 3 million tons buried in landfill with 1.2 million recycled yielding a 27% recycling rate. Department of Commerce 2011
Adding 5000 Jobs to New Mexico’s Economy A Plan to Increase Jobs Using Pay as You Throw and Economic DevelopmentICF International expected release November 2012 MSW only an average of 8.5 jobs in recycling for every job 1 waste
Potential for Exponential Job Growth with and increase to 75% recycling SC can’t afford to wait • Savings through avoided disposal • Future landfill expense • Revenue from recovered commodity sales • Regional job growth and tax revenue from recycling industry expansion
RecyclonomicsSC - Policy Discussion • 75% Recycling goal by 2030 [initial policy initiative] • Over arching long-term goal • Conduit for future strategic policies • Starts the dialogue • Strategy for 75% goal • Select key legislators • Introduce legislation • Start with a Resolution • County Association support • Piggy-back on on other legislation • Rally industry members • Grass roots attempt to cover all county senators and representatives
Future Policy Discussion • Landfill Tax • Waste Bans • Paper • Plastic Bottles • Glass • Other • Recycled Content Procurement Mandates • Pay As You Throw (PAYT)
Case Study –Curbside Collection:Hamilton and Wenham, MA • Population: Hamilton [8,000]. • Hamilton began strict waste ban enforcement program in 2007 • Initial PAYT program began in 2009. One free 32 gallon container per week for trash. Overflow trash placed in PAYT bag. • April 2012 added weeklyorganic collectionand changed trash collection to one free 32 gallon container every other week. • Town uses split compartment recycle / organics truck for weekly pick up. lbs/capita 701 460 230
How Can You Help? • Join RecyclonomicsSC • Talk to your local legislators about the importance of recycling and about supporting a 75% recycling goal. • Talk to your local public works department about PAYT. • Buy recycled and support our growing industry!