1999 Trash Cutter Awards Program Case Studies

Monterey Regional Waste Management District: Best Regional Waste Reduction

• Program Description
• Program Summary
• Costs
• Contact

Program Description

The Monterey Regional Waste Management District is a successful example of regional waste reduction. By joining together to address the issues of waste disposal and waste reduction, the district's member governments have created one of the best integrated waste management systems in North America, as chosen by the Solid Waste Association of North America. A large part of the district's success is a direct result of the members having  the foresight to form a regional solid waste agency in 1951 that has provided nationwide leadership in waste management and reduction in several major program areas, including landfill gas, organics recycling, household hazardous waste, and resale of used material. This has resulted in almost 84,000 tons of materials, or 27 percent of the waste stream, being diverted from the landfill in 1998. This has been accomplished while maintaining a low $30 disposal fee at the facility.

Program Summary

The predecessor to the current district, the Monterey Peninsula Garbage and Refuse Disposal District, purchased 570 acres north of Marina in 1966 as the site for the new Monterey Peninsula Landfill. This was to become the final destination for over 40 million tons of solid waste generated by Monterey Peninsula residents during the next 125 years.  Today, the district's service area covers over 850 square miles and its programs and facilities serve more than 160,000 people. Recycling, reuse, and composting are major focuses of the district's operations. The district has evolved from being the operator of a landfill to the creator of a model integrated regional waste management and waste reduction facility, complete with one of the first landfill-gas-to-energy projects in the country, a unique materials recovery facility, a comprehensive, on-site organics collection and reuse programs, and a vastly popular resale store.

In addition, the district has reached out to form a new public-private partnership designed to offer additional services and programs to better serve the community's waste disposal and waste reduction needs. These partnerships are making more materials available locally for expanded markets in organics, especially in agriculture. They have also led to greater reuse of a large contributor to the waste stream, such as construction and demolition materials. Finally, the district's resourceful public information and school outreach programs have increased public awareness in the Monterey region and effectively teach children and adults how to "reduce, reuse, and recycle" at school, home, and work.

Costs

The district generates most of its income through disposal fees (75%), power sales (5%), the sale of recycled materials (11%), and selected other revenue (8%). No taxes are used to fund district operations and programs.

For Further Information Contact:

MRWMD
P.O. Box 1670
Monterey, CA  93933
(831) 384-5313

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