2005 Recycling Pilot Program Report

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Apri128, 2005 Page 8 Role oi the Government in Miniunizing Disposal of Materials Collected for Recycling — Provision of standardized definitions, more researcb, and clear policy direction as to acceptable levels of process residuals would assist cities and haulers with the best available infornaation about the processing residuais issue. For example, there is still little hard data avail.able that characterizes the coloz-mixed, broken glass generated from MRFs in Mimiesota. We still do not knvw how much single stream collection and processing systems impact the relative amounts of mixed glass produced compared dual stream systems. DeSnition of "Recycling" Markets vs. Waste "DisposaI" - In lieu of more clear policy direction, each city should establish its own policy for defining end uses that shall be considered "recycling" vs. "disposal". As the indnstry moves to �xaore commi.ugled collection systems {e.g., source separated to dual stream; dual strea�n to single stream}, more color-mixed, broken giass will be produced from the MRFs. Some parties advocate for onty higher-va3ue end use applications (e.g., glass bottles) io be defined as recycling. Others, ix�cluding integrated waste managex�aent compar;ies, will advocate for lower-value end use applications (e.g., aggregate for road base, alternative daily landfill cover, etc.) to be defined as recycling and noC as disposal. This policy definition is critical to evaluating the effectiveness of comxningled collection systems. One potentiai policy position zs that color-mixed, broken glass that is further processed (c.g., screened} so that it ca.n be used as an aggregate supplement (e.g., meets MN/DOT class 7 aggzegate speci�cations as road base} and therefore can be considered a legitimate commercial commodity conld be considered a"recyclable". Mixed broken glass that is not further processed and does not mee# iniuimum specifications for use as an aggregate supplement (e.g., is significaz�dy contaminaied with nan-glass debris), could be considered a "residual disposed" and therefore a"waste" and not a recyclable co�mznodity. Exceptions to this determination could be requested by the MRF operatoz if suitable documentation is provided that demonstrates the color-mixed, braken glass is clean. enough to be considered a com.z�nercial commodity with equal or better value compared to the virgin or other traditional materials used as aggregate foz alternative daily cover. Calculating Net Recycling Rates - There is a continuing need among the recycling indusfry to provide clear, standardized meEhods to define and calculate net recycling. Two components of the system should be treated independently: collection, and then processing. Collection effec�iveness should measure the performance of the residents in complying vvith public education messages and the collection crews (if truck-side rejecting of non-targeted materials is employed). T}�e "non-targeted materials ra#e" (in percent as collected and loaded on the truck) should deiv�e the effectiveness of colleciion. The "processin:g zesiduals rate" (in percent of total inbound maierial) should define the effectiveness of the MRF in processing the materials. While related, if both rates are measured and reported independently, there can be nnare objective analysis ar�d management controls implemented to improve quality. O1-00253-10101-0101 � 070001 � L3540 P:113500 Ramsey Co_ 20Q3UtTA1ltosevi]le�F'A�raftResidaalsMemo042805.Joc DRAFT