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Review of Diversion Issues Section 3 <br />This section provides an evaluation of the following diversion Review of <br />issues: <br />• Diversion Rate Metrics and Measurements; Diversion Issues <br />• Current Policies, Practices and Programs; and <br />• Current Recycling Efforts. <br />Evaluation of Diversion Rate Metrics and <br />Measurements <br />Background / Overview <br />Fort Collins is one of the leaders in recycling in the State of <br />Colorado. The City's current diversion rate is estimated at 27% <br />and it has adopted a diversion goal of 50% by 2010. The City has <br />undertaken a range of programs and policies in support of its <br />recycling efforts including a Pay -As- You -Throw (rate structure) <br />ordinance and the requirement that licensed haulers provide <br />recycling services to residential accounts upon request. The City <br />completed a 5 -Year Strategic Plan: Strategies to Reach 50% <br />Diversion from Landfill Disposal (Strategic Plan) in 2006. That <br />Plan evaluated a wide range of options to increase diversion <br />resulting in Phase 1 and Phase II Strategic Plan Staff <br />recommendations, which are provided in Appendix D. <br />While the City currently tracks an overall Citywide diversion rate, it <br />does not regularly track and report diversion by waste stream <br />(residential, commercial, roll -off), program (e.g., curbside <br />recycling) or by licensed hauler. <br />Analysis <br />Diversion Calculation Limitations <br />An important component of the City's efforts to increase diversion <br />is the availability of complete and accurate data to allow it to <br />accurately track tonnages diverted and disposed. There is, <br />however, a limitation to the City's ability to accurately calculate its <br />diversion rate. The Larimer County Landfill, and other neighboring <br />landfills used by the licensed haulers do not have scales. Tonnage <br />is estimated by multiplying the volume of the vehicle by a density <br />factor established by each licensed hauler. In recent Tonnage <br />Summary Reports the three licensed residential haulers reported <br />density factors of 500, 750 and 900 pounds per cubic yard. <br />Changes to those estimates would materially impact the <br />calculated disposal tonnages and the City's calculated diversion <br />rate. The lack of scales at the landfills places a relatively high <br />degree of uncertainty on the City's disposal data and the <br />associated calculated diversion rates. <br />Section 3 - 1 <br />