HomeMy WebLinkAboutRecycling Program 1993 Annual Environmental Report v 43.
4, E'ULESS RECYCLING PROGRAM
1993 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
LETTER FROM MICHELLE WYMAN
As the Euless Recycling Program completes its first year, the many successes
and accomplishments should be remembered.
The City implemented the first complete municipal recycling program in the
state by including homes, apartments and schools. There was not much
guidance nor a path to follow when apartment recycling was included in the
program. The potential for failure was great. Many administrators around the
state waited with bated breath for the news of failure to come. It never did.
Following are several highlights of the program:
• implemented comprehensive program implemented within one month
of initiation
• maintained 10-12 percent diversion of waste from municipal solid
waste stream since program beginning
• awarded $12,000 grant from the state, funding comprehensive public
education program for apartment recycling
• established volunteer task force to provide forum for citizen feedback
and involvement
• initiated block leader recycling program in September 1993, with 82
citizens registered
The City of Euless has made long-term commitments to protect and preserve
the environment The steps taken during the past year serve as the
foundation for our municipal environmental efforts. In the future, the City
will seek to continue program expansion and involvement. Cuncntly, the City
is at 75 percent compliance with state recycling mandates. This is a
significantly higher compliance level than many cities in the Metroplex can
boast.
The support of the Euless Councilmembers and staff since the inception of the
Euless Recycling Program has been an integral element contributing to the
program's success. The continued support of the Euless City Council and staff
is imperative to the further success of the Euless Recycling Program.
Much has been accomplished. More remains to be done.
Michelle Wyman
Recycling Coordinator
EULEss RECYCLING PROGRAM
ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Recycling In Schools 2
2. Recycling Block Leader Program 4
3. Euless Blue Bag Recycling Program 5
4. Euless Apartment Recycling Program 8
5. Recycling Volunteer Task Force 11
6. Etcetera 12
7. Total Monies Earned By Recycling 13
8. Appendix 14
RECYCLING IN SCHOOLS
Each elementary school in the City of Euless has a recycling drop-off center
on site. Children attending the schools can recycle plastic, glass, aluminum,
tin and newspaper. Each school operates the recycling program differently.
At Oakwood Terrace Elementary school, for example, the children are fully
responsible for recycling. Honor students from the student council collect and
sort recyclables collected in the classrooms each week. Participation in the
school recycling program increased in Oakwood Terrace Elementary after the
children were delegated the main responsibilities.
Environmental presentations are given by the Recycling Coordinator at each
Euless school upon invitation or request. During 1993, the Coordinator visited
each elementary school and presented individual presentations to the students
by grade. All presentations given include discussion on the steps of recycling
and an educational video specific to the viewing age group. Children with
special needs are taught through hands-on games.
Trinity High School students participated as "actors" in the educational video
produced by the Office of Recycling earlier this year. In spring 1994, a
segment on the environment will be presented by the Recycling Coordinator
to science classes grades 10-12. With the support of the administration, the
future establishment of an Environmental Youth Corps at Trinity High School
has been proposed by the Office of Recycling. Student members will
participate in activities which are geared toward increasing environmental
2
awareness. The Youth Corps will offer students the opportunity to get
involved with environmental issues and their city.
The special students attending the KEYS Learning Center, located next to
Central Junior High, have initiated a recycling effort on their campus
scheduled to begin spring 1994. Community Waste Disposal will provide the
Euless-based school with an on-site recycling drop-off center. The KEYS is
a special education school within the EBB school district. The Recycling
Coordinator will educate the KEYS students on recycling steps and processes.
The HEB Independent School District has shown tremendous support for the
Euless Recycling Program. As of September, 1993, the state mandated all
public entities including schools, recycle all aluminum, plastic and cardboard.
The Recycling Coordinator is working with the administration to ensure
programs which meet this mandate are implemented in all qualifying areas.
Educators acknowledge one of the most effective methods of teaching adults
is through future adults. Many parents participate in recycling upon
persuasion and education from their children.
Further expansion of recycling programs in schools is scheduled. The cost of
recycling serves as a barrier to the potentiality for complete success in the
FEB school district. However, as lifestyles and patterns adapt to the change
of recycling, the economic value and savings will become apparent,
particularly to entities which generate more recyclable waste than trash, such
as schools.
3
EULESS RECYCLING PROGRAM: BLOCK LEADERS
In October, 1993, the Recycling Office implemented a neighborhood Block
Leader program in Euless. This program was modeled after the block leader
program designed by the City of Austin. The program serves as support to
the curbside recycling program. The Block Leaders, currently totaling 82,
including the Mayor and all Councilmembers, were recruited via a brochure
mailed out in September, an advertisement in the Leisure Times and
continuously running ads on the two local cable stations. Registration for the
Block Leader Program is ongoing and any citizen may join.
Leaders are given a small yard sign and program brochures upon registration.
The yard sign is printed with the area's recycling pickup day and is a quick
and attractive reminder for neighbors. This is a low-cost, non-intensive, high-
incentive program which involves residents and increases visibility and
participation in the curbside initiative. Block Leaders provide a personal
contact allowing residents to ask questions and provide feedback, both of
which can be communicated to the Recycling Coordinator. Finally, this
program, with the assistance of the Council and staff participation, shows
continued support of recycling in Euless.
4
EULESS BLUE BAG RECYCLING PROGRAM
From the initiation of the Euless Blue Bag Recycling Program, feedback from
residents living in homes has been positive. To familiarize residents with the
program's steps, four shifts of educational literature were distributed to them
in their water bills prior to the beginning of the program. The first week of
Tatman! 1993. four blue bans. a magnet and a brochure were distributed on
the doors of each Euless resident living in a home.
A variety of media venues are utilized to provide a continual stream of
education on recycling to Euless residents. Advertisements are printed in the
local newspaper. message bulletins run on both of the local cable access
channels and literature on the program is available to all citizens upon
request. The Recycling Coordinator speaks upon invitation at any area civic
and business functions, neighborhood association meetings, and conferences.
During 1993. the Recycling Coordinator spoke to every elementary school in
Euless. the local Rotary Club and several business/conference related venues
including the Texas Municipal League 1993 conference in San Antonio.
Citizens living in homes recycle an average of 23 pounds per household per
month. In total. approximately 90 tons per month are being recycled in
homes. Euless citizens are diverting between 10-12 percent from the current
waste stream as a result of recycling.
5
The mandate set forth by Senate Bill 1340, requires cities to divert 40 percent
of the waste from their current wastestream. The City of Euless is working
consistently toward that goal.
Wbat is the Next Step? Yard Waste
Several studies performed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the
Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission have shown that 21-40
percent of the current wastestream consists of yard waste and organic matter.
In order to reach the goal set forth by SB 1340, Implementing a recycling
program is not enough. Currently, the City of Euless has reduced its waste-
stream by 10-12 percent as a result of recycling. This percentile may increase
somewhat during the years to come, though the 40 percent goal of SB 1340
will not be realized until yard waste is removed from the waste stream.
The cities of Arlington and Dallas imposed a ban on grass pick-up services
during spring, 1993. Initially, the ban spurred shock and anger in many
citizens residing in both cities. Since both cities provided options upon
implementation of the grass ban, i.e. pay-per-bag pick up, mulching,
composting and municipal composting facilities, citizens quickly grew
accustomed to the change. Within the first two months of the grass ban,
Arlington reported a 22 percent decrease in garbage tonnage. This decrease
is attributed to the diversion of grass clippings from the wastestream. Dallas
also attributes the 17 percent decrease in city garbage collection to the grass
ban.
6
These two cities have proven that a grass ban has a significant impact on the
wastestream.
The Euless Department of Administrative Services currently is reviewing the
economic feasibility and methodology of a grass ban implementation. The
city is exploring various possibilities for providing the citizens viable options
for yard waste disposal.
This step of the Euless Recycling Program is necessary. As information is
compiled, and options, as well as results in other cities, are established, the
status of this next phase will be brought to City Council for approval.
7
EULESS APARTMENT RECYCLING PROGRAM
As the first city in Texas to implement mandatory recycling in apartments,
Euless can also be considered the first city in Texas to report having a
successful apartment recycling program. Initiation of the program required
many hours of coordination with our recycling hauler, Community Waste
Disposal, and area apartment managers. After dumpsters and signage were
placed at each property, the Recycling Coordinator spent time each week
contacting the managers to proactively answer any questions and assist them
in managing participation and interest from residents. Brochures explaining
the program were delivered to the properties along with an offer of on-site
information sessions for residents of all ages. Very few of the apartments took
advantage of the offer. Many continued to call with questions and concerns
about the program. While the meetings with the managers prior to
implementation helped in the program's introduction, the turnover in
management requires on-going education and assistance.
In September, 1993, a new brochure t2rgeted to new apartment residents was
distributed to all complexes. This six-card insert is a "Welcome Packet" for
new residents and informs them of all city services including the apartment
recycling program. Many apartments in north Euless have complimented the
City on the packets and have included them in their advertisement materials.
The brochure is an incentive to managers because it relieves them of a
it relieves them of a perceived burden of explaining the program.
It is attractive and easy to use. It can account for the growing participation
in the program.
APARTMENT BLUE BAG PROGRAM STUDY: WHY, WHERE, & How
• Service coordinated with the Metro Contract Service Company(Euless-
based apartment service business).
• Implemented in Woodchase Apartments only for a three month period
(June, July & August, 1993).
• The study consisted of door-to-door recycling pick-up from the
contractor during which a blue bag was left on the participating
resident's apartment door for each bag that was left for collection. This
system provided an incentive for residents as the bag served as a
reward and reminder to continue participating. After the city-
sponsored study ended, Woodchase paid to continue the program for
its residents.
• This blue bag replacement program is specific to those complexes
which already contract for door-to-door trash/recycling pick up with
the contractor.
• The program resulted in an 11 percent increased participation, above
the overall increase experienced by other complexes, and remains
successful in keeping residents recycling.
• Please see Chart E.
STATISTICS
• From February to November, program participation has increased 60
percent. (Based on tonnage collected from all apartments)
• On average, 1.27 tons of recyclables are collected monthly.
• A total of 12.62 tons of recyclables have been collected to date.
• Largest material recycled is newspaper totaling 9 tons.
9
IN THE FUTURE
It is important to recognize that, though the program is deemed successful,
the tonnage of recyclables collected from apartments in no way compares to
that of homes. Of the 17,000 residences in Euless, 8,661, almost half, are
multi-family units. Yet homes recycle an average of 90 tons per month, while
apartments recycle an average of one ton per month.
The Office of Recycling proposed the following be evaluated for possible
implementation to improve the recycling participation in apartments:
• Weather resistant, igloo shaped containers centrally located in
apartment complexes with small management/maintenance staff.
These containers are accessible 24-hours per day. Apartment residents
can dispose of their recyclables efficiently, without the restraint of a
time conflict. This proposal has been submitted to the North Central
Texas Council of Governments for the award of a grant.
• Several higher-rent properties already subscribe to a service which
collects recyclables (and trash) from the apartment door step. These
properties would continue this service, yet receive an upgrade
whereby each time they place a blue bag of recyclables outside their
door for collection, a new blue bag would be left for the resident to
continue recycling. This is an incentive-based program which has
proven successful during a pilot program at the Woodchase Apartment
complex.
By implementing these steps, the Euless Apartment Recycling Program will
have a greater ability to meet the varied needs of the 43 apartment complexes
in Euless.
10
Ruins REcxc ini PROGRAM VoturITEER TASK FORCE
Seven members serve on the Euless Recycling Program Volunteer Task Force.
This task force was established in May, 1993. The objectives of its members
are:
• to evaluate the effectiveness of the Euless Recycling Program in:
single-family residences
multi-family residences
schools
• to work together in organizing and implementing new projects to
continually enhance the participation rates and success of the Euless
Recycling Program
• to offer useful interpretations and applicable criticisms from a
community perspective
• to encourage one another in working toward a unified goal of
constantly improving the environment and the community resulting in
a higher quality of life for the citizens of the City of Euless
The task force members share both their differences and similarities. Five
members live in homes, two live in apartments. The members have assisted
with the recycling booth at Arbor Daze; the Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages
Telephone Book Recycling Kick-Off;and performed quarterly apartment drop-
off center evaluations.
Most importantly, the task force members serve as the liaisons between the
community and the city. Their input provides the Office of Recycling with
information directly from the citizenry.
The Recycling Task Force meets quarterly, and the meetings are public and
open to anyone who wishes to attend,
11
ETCETERA
• City Garbage provided bi-weekly waste pick-up service in Euless for
37 years. In September, 1993, City Garbage merged with Laidlaw
Waste Systems, Inc. The waste contract for Euless was transferred to
Laidlaw under this merger. Waste service currently is provided by
Laidlaw Waste Systems, Inc.
• The Texas Water Commission and the Texas Air Control Board merged
on September 1, 1993. The two entities are now departmentally
defined as the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
CTNRCC). All state-designated environmental functions are performed
and issues handled under this umbrella organization. Air and water
pollution, hazardous waste, and waste minimization are among the
issues handled by the TNRCC. The general telephone number for the
TNRCC is (512) 239-6750.
• Laidlaw Waste Systems, Inc. has agreed to rebate the City of Euless for
the cost-savings incurred by the company as a result of the diversion
of recyclables from the waste stream in Euless. Laidlaw will reimburse
the City of Euless for 75 percent of the savings each quarter. The total
reimbursement received by the City as a result of recycling during 1993
is $6,964.67. The formula used for the rebate calculation is:
tons of recyclables collected per month X current landfill
tipping fee = total (75 percent of the total is rebated)
12
TOTAL MONIES EARNED BY THE EULESS RECYCLING PROGRAM
Donations
KROGER Food Store TOTAL - $ 250.00
1060 North Main
Euless, TX 76039
ART TOTAL = $ 250.00
701 South Industrial
Euless, TX 76040
HOME DEPOT TOTAL - $ 350.00
251 South Industrial
Euless, TX 76040
Company Payments
Community Waste Disposal TOTAL - $16,000.00
P.O. Box 59507
Dallas, TX 75229
Laidlaw Waste Systems TOTAL - $ 6,964.67
6100 Elliott Reeder Rd
Fort Worth, TX 76117
Grants
TNRCC & NCTCOG TOTAL - $12,000.00
Passthrough Grant 1993
Apartment Education Campaign
TNRCC NC7'COG TOTAL - $12,120.00
Passthrough Grant 1994
Apartment Recycling Pilot Program
TNRCC & NCTCOG TOTAL - $22,840.00
Passthrough Grant 1994
Recycling Oil Education Campaign
TOTAL MONIES EARNED 1993-1994 BY
EULESS RECYCLING PROGRAM
$70,774.67
13
APPENDIX
1[. Chart A: Recyclables Collected from Homes&Apartments
IL Chart B: Recyclables Collected from Homes in 1993
III, Chart C: Recyclables Collected from Apartments in 1993
IV. Chart D: Apartment Blue Bag Pilot Program
V. Chart E: Projected Diversion with Yard Waste Ban
VI. Graph A: Setout Rates in Homes 1993
NIL Graph B: Tonnage Removed from Wastestream in 1993
VOL Graph C: Total Percentage of Wastestream Recycled in 1993
IX. Graph D: Recyclables Collected from Homes&Apartments
X. Graph E: Apartment Blue Bag Pilot Program
i4
Setout Rates
!7.1 Homes in 1993
35%
30% \\\M ‘ ,' • , N;S\\;1 . .
\ •• \\ \ s \\, \ \' ‘
' \ .•,,,,:\A \\,, r••\ \ ' \ \ \ ., .
250k :,:\;\ ,\:"' \ s\- \_ •,•,\ - \\:\ ,,,, .\\\: \ \ ,- \ -\\:\ \\, ,\\\\.„ ,, N ,i-
/0 - \ ' ' \ • \ ' \ \ \ ' ‘ \; \...., :'s \\:" \\\<\,, \„\- \\. ,,
••. \N., \\ N, N NN\ \-\\ -•\ N\.„
20% .\\,‘ \ .k, .; -N\s - \ • NNNN- , . N N ",
‘4 \'. \'N \\\\\\I \\ , \\\\ \.\- 'A
15% \\\\N \‘. \ ,\• \ \`\ - • \ ,- \
5% .,' .\ \\ • \ i- ',N,\\. .-\ •• \• - . . \ \\\ N'- , \\N\ \ \I \\\' .
Jan Feb March Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
' '.27, 6- :•;----- ni A
TONNAGE
Breakdowr of Niflater:als l' ern(oved from Wastesl-ream
In 1993
mixed fv7iateriais Mb(ed Materais
25% 24%
111111111/111P- 11111.011*
Newspaper Newspaper
75% 75%
HOMES APARTMENTS
ran
o' &31 ,
ofPercentageWastestream Recycled
i..--:ronn Homes {' Aparments `n 1993
i
i
15% I - - - - - - . • - . . . . . .
10%
5% I .
1 l
J
Jan Feb March Apra9 May June Juiy Aug Sept Oct -Nov Dec
Goa set by State os 40% diversion from wastestream
.. :,iraph C
RECYCLABLES COLLECTED
FROM HOMES & APARTMENTS IN 1993
MONTH TOTAL POUNDS TOTAL POUNDS PERCENTAGE
RECYCLED GARBAGE REMOVED
JANUARY* 70,280 1,384,500 5.1%
FEBRUARY 200,760 1,215,500 16.5%
MARCH 208,304 1,750,940 11.9%
APRIL 218,140 1,834,300 11.9%
MAY 199,420 1,779,050 11.2%
JUNE 235,080 1,690,000 13.9%
JULY 227,780 1,478,800 15.4%
AUGUST 200,380 1,250,000 16.0%
SEPTEMBER 212,320 1,371,500 15.5%
OCTOBER 194,300 1,575,000 12.3%
NOVEMBER 220,340 1,574,960 14.0%
DECEMBER 212,620 1,490,125 14.3%
TOTAL', 2,399,724 18,394,675 13.0%
*Service to homes was only provided for half of the month and apartments did not receive service.
CHART A
lue Bag Pilot Program
Study nducted in June, July & August 1993
10,000 lbs.
The difference of an 11 % increase in participation
s,000 lbs. is attributed to the Blue Bag Program in the
Woodchase Apartment complex. ' ,11;, , x
6,000 lbs. Y 1:011E.1 gym .
��>
,ta . 4
t
Ip V
4 000 lbs. `
I {
,„ i 4 ,
�
0 fl ,i s
4 C
2,000 lbs. +.&P"1 1 r i ���if 411 aE
Woodchase Apts. � :hi iitizif 0 , �
o
0,000 lbs.
Before After
Overall increase of 25% attributed to greater familiarity with apartment program by residents
Graph E
RECYCLABLES COLLECTED
FROM HOMES IN 1993
MONTH TOTAL POUNDS TOTAL POUNDS PERCENTAGE
RECYCLED GARBAGE REMOVED
JANUARY* 70,280 1,384,500 5.1%
FEBRUARY 190,040 1,215,500 15.6%
MARCH 199,752 1,750,940 11.4%
APRIL 206,520 1,834,300 11.3%
MAY 180,920 1,779,050 10.2%
JUNE 218,940 1,690,000 13.0%
JULY 205,660 1,478,800 13.9%
AUGUST 183,800 1,250,000 14.7%
SEPTEMBER 197,120 1,371,500 14.4%
OCTOBER 188,260 1,575,000 12.0%
NOVEMBER 194,480 1,574,960 12.3%
DECEMBER 191,780 1,490,125 12.9%
TOTAL 2,227,552 18,394 875 12.1%
*Service was only provided for half of the month.
CHART B
RECYCLABLES COLLECTED
FROM APARTMENTS IN 1993
MONTH TOTAL POUNDS TOTAL POUNDS PERCENTAGE
RECYCLED GARBAGE REMOVED
FEBRUARY 10,720 1,215,500 0.9%
MARCH 8,552 1,750,940 0.5%
APRIL 11,620 1,834,300 0.6%
MAY 18,500 1,779,050 1.0%
JUNE 16,140 1,690,000 1.0%
JULY 22,120 1,478,800 1.5%
AUGUST 16,580 1,250,000 1.3%
SEPTEMBER 15,200 1,371,500 1.1%
OCTOBER 6,040 1,575,000 0.4%
NOVEMBER 25,860 1,574,960 1.6%
DECEMBER 20,840 1,490,125 1.4%
TOTAL 172,172 17,010,175 1.0%
CHART C
BLUE BAG PILOT PROGRAM
WOODCHASE OTHER
APARTMENTS COMPLEXES
(Ibs• of recyclabies) (lbs. of recyclabies)
Before BB Pilot Program 1874.00 6189.99
After BB Pilot Program 2553.00 7733.34
Difference in Tonnage 679.00 1543.35
Increase in Participation 36% 25%
Amount of Increase
attributed to pilot program 11%
For description of pilot program, please refer to the paragraph subtitled Euless Apartment
Recycling Program.
The Woodchase Apartment recycling program yielded a 36% increase in participation during the
three month study. Of that increase, 11% can be attributed to the Blue Bag Pilot Program.
After evaluating participation in other complexes (in terms of size and demographics),
25% of the increase in materials collected is attributed to growing familiarity and acceptance of
the city recycling program through the efforts of the recycling office. The increase can also be
attributed to the increase in recyclable material generated during the summer months the study was
conducted.
Therefore, participation in the apartment recycling program could be expected to increase by
5-10% over current participation with the implementation of the Blue Bag program city wide.
It is important to note that Woodchase apartments have contracted and paid for the continuation
of the program in the complex.
CHART D
Estimated Results Of Recycling With A Ban On Yard Waste
Projected Diversion With Yard Waste Ban Implemented
MONTH TOTAL POUNDS ; EST. TOTAL POUNDS TOTAL POUNDS PERCENTAGE
RECYCLED GRASS CLIPPINGS** GARBAGE REMOVED
JAN UARY* 70,280 207,675 1,384,500 20.1%
FEBRUARY 200,760 182,325 1,215,500 31.5%
MARCH 208,304 262,641 1,750,940 26.9%
APRIL 218,140 275,145 1,834,300 26.9%
MAY 199,420 266,858 1,779,050 26.2%
JUNE 235,080 253,500 1,690,000 28.9%
JULY 227,780 221,820 1,478,800 30.4%
AUGUST 200,380 187,500 1,250,000 31.0%
SEPTEMBER 212,320 205,725 1,371,500 30.5%
OCTOBER 194,300 236,250 1,575,000 27.3%
NOVEMBER 220,340 236,244 1,574,960 29.0%
DECEMBER 212,620 223,519 1,490,125 29.3%
TOTAL 2,390,724 . 2,759,201 18,394,675 28.0%
*Service was not provided for the entire month.
**Grass clippings are estimated to be 15%of the current wastestream based on information from the NCTCOG and area cities.
CHART E