Summer 2003 infoCycling

Chula Vista's Single-Stream Recycling Collection Program is a Success

In 1990, the City of Chula Vista started a residential curbside recycling program for approximately 20,000 households.

Chula Vista’s curbside program now serves 43,000 households and is growing rapidly. The city went from approximately 130,000 residents to 200,000 residents in the last 12 years. A population increase of up to 100,000 residents is expected within the next 10 to 15 years.

In 1990, each household was provided an 18-gallon curbside recycling container to recycle bottles and cans. Residents recycled their newspapers by placing them in paper bags. Cardboard and mixed paper were added in 1997 and residents were instructed to place mixed paper into paper bags and break down and cut cardboard into manageable pieces. There was only 2 ½ to 3 percent contamination in 1997.

Chula Vista structured a very positive revenue-sharing contract with Pacific Waste Services. In a two-year period, 1999–2000, Chula Vista generated almost $300,000 in revenue that went back into public education. However, as of March 2002, the city was only collecting about 700 tons of recyclables from those 43,000 residential single-family homes. This included mobile home parks and dwellings of five units or less.

In 2002, Pacific Waste Services contacted Chula Vista about transitioning to a single-stream recycling collection program.

Switching to single-stream recycling collection from multistream recycling collection

Prior to implementing a single-stream recycling program, the recyclables collected at the curb were separated by the residents into four streams: newsprint, mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, and food and beverage containers.

Contamination (mixing trash with recyclables) levels were low when residents separated their own recyclables. In addition, the effort required by the processors to process the recyclables for resale was minimal. The city also provided a separate weekly yard waste collection program. Drivers manually loaded the recyclables into a collection truck, which provided more opportunities to check for contamination, educate the residents about proper setouts, and further minimize the effort required to process the recyclables for resale.

Concerns about switching to a single-stream recycling collection program included the following:

• Increased contamination levels because residents would be allowed to place all recyclables into one container.
• Increased costs for processing commingled recyclables and concern that these costs would not be offset by revenue generated.
• Increased processing costs could create upward pressure on recycling service rates.
• Increased responsibilities of the processor.
• Reduced opportunities for drivers to identify and remove trash from the recyclables and to notify residents about trash found in the recyclables.

Deciding factors on switching from multi-stream to single-stream collection included the following:

• Aesthetics and improved litter control—The blue color-coded recycle carts with lids used in the single-stream recycling program allowed recyclables to be stored hidden from public view and without exposure to the elements (for example, rain and wind). The curbside containers used in the multi-stream recycling program exposed recyclables to public view and the elements.
• Convenience should lead to greater participation—It is easier for residents to place all of their recyclables into one container and get the recyclables to the curb in one container. In the multi-stream program residents had to separate their recyclables and make multiple trips to the curb.
• Cost effectiveness and convenience—Pacific Waste Services and Chula Vista agreed to a formula that included collection efficiencies, avoided disposal, and commodity revenue, which reduced the risk of rate increases. Avoided disposal is a savings that reduces costs, and revenue is a source of funding that offsets costs. The formula includes both. In addition, the new program structure offered a cost-effective and efficient alternative for small businesses that were on a comparable manual trash service.
• Increased recycling capacity encourages increased diversion—The recycling cart is available in 64- and 96-gallon sizes, which are larger than the standard 18-gallon curbside containers that were used in the multi-stream recycling program. This was particularly important in achieving Chula Vista’s goal of capturing more mixed paper and cardboard.

Implementing single-stream recycling collection

Goals

Chula Vista’s goals included:

• Increasing its diversion rate from 34 percent to 50 percent.
• Implementing a diversion program easier for the residents to use.
• Improving the city’s appearance.
• Providing a safer environment for the employees and residents of Chula Vista.
• Reducing vehicle emissions.

Implementing a single-stream recycling collection program proved to be a good way to meet these goals.

Communication and education

Communication and education are vital to a successful single-stream recycling collection program. Maintaining a successful program takes a continuing effort by the city, the hauler, and the processor to educate the public.

Converting to single-stream recycling collection was successful due to the cooperation and the support of Pacific Waste Services, residents, small businesses, and Chula Vista’s city council (policymakers). The City of Chula Vista met with Pacific Waste Services and the city council on a regular basis to provide progress reports as the program was developed and rolled out.

Prior to implementing the single-stream recycling collection program, Pacific Waste Services and the City of Chula Vista hosted a number of public workshops and provided printed public education material to introduce the residents of Chula Vista to the program.

In addition, brochures were sent out notifying customers of the new single-stream recycling collection program. The brochure explained the new program and gave residents an option to pick the size of their trash and recycling carts. Three mailers were sent prior to delivering the recycling and trash carts.

Customer service representatives are a big part of the single-stream recycling collection program’s implementation and continued success.

Pacific Waste and Chula Vista staff teamed up to answer phones and assist customers while making adjustments to the new program. Also, junior college students were hired and participated in an eight-week evening training program along with Pacific Waste and Chula Vista staff.

When the program was implemented, they had an average of 1,500 to 2,000 calls per day. After the initial 6 months, the calls went down to approximately 650 per day. Most of the calls are requests for basic information or to clarify instructions.

Recycling collection

Chula Vista introduced the variable rate system (also known as volume-based and pay-as-you-throw) at the same time that they implemented the single-stream recycling collection program. A variable rate system charges people for trash service based on the unit or amount of service they actually use. The city’s goal was to offer more service at the same rate, purchase new carts and new trucks, and increase recycling.

Residents now have a choice of three sizes of containers for trash: a 96-gallon, a 64-gallon, or a 32-gallon cart. If a customer did not choose a specific trash cart size, they were automatically given a 64-gallon cart for their trash and a 96-gallon cart for their recycling. The 96-gallon cart for recycling is automatic regardless of what cart size you choose for trash. There is no charge for the recycling cart.

Almost immediately recycling carts were on the curb. In most cases, the recycling carts were more than half full. In some cases residents asked for extra recycling carts and these requests continue to increase.

The new recycling and trash carts improve the look of the city and streets. Lost or stolen trashcans and missing lids are no longer a problem. Trash and recycling carts always have lids and are rarely overflowing, thus litter issues on trash collection day are greatly reduced. The standard color-coded (black) trash and (blue) recycling carts make it easy for drivers and residents to keep trash and recyclables separated.

Chula Vista is now collecting approximately 1500 tons of recyclables per month. This has more than doubled since implementing the single-stream recycling program in March 2002.

Chula vista previously collected 700 tons per month from the same 43,000 households. The trash weight per household has gone down with the variable rates, and the recycling pounds per household have dramatically increased.

Along with other factors (such as the economy), the larger recycling cart contributed to the increase of recycling. The contamination level varied between six and ten percent after switching to single-stream recycling collection and has now leveled off at nine percent. Public education efforts such as “Oops” tags, “recycling ranger” education efforts, and direct mailings have been implemented to help reduce contamination levels even further.

Using new and different technology

Chula Vista automated their collection system to make it more efficient and safer. Automation is safer because the carts that are used have wheels and can be easily maneuvered by residents, thus eliminating the need to lift and carry the containers.

Also the carts are serviced using an automated truck, which eliminates the need for drivers to manually service the containers. The trucks are equipped with a front-loading system. (Please see the photo below.) The front-loading system helps reduce contamination because the driver is able to see what is being loaded into the truck.

Select the picture to view full size (10 KB)

Converting to an alternative clean fuelwas a stipulation when purchasing new vehicles (trash and recycling collection trucks). Pacific Waste Services selected biofuel as their alternative clean fuel.

Enforcement

Pacific Waste and the city issue “Oops” tags to residents who make a mistake in the program, such as trash found in the recycle cart or vice versa. These “Oops” tags have the applicable brochure attached explaining how to correct the mistake. A recycling guide is mailed to each household annually and messages and reminders are included periodically in the billing invoices.

Customers can get up to three “Oops” tags in a 90-day period before they are fined. Also, after three “Oops” tags, the customer will receive a letter from the city warning them about the fine. After the three “Oops” tags and the letter, the customer can receive a fine of $3, $5 or $10.

Chula Vista’s city employees levy fines. City employees—“recycling rangers”— implement and enforce the city’s various recycling programs. Recycling rangers can be there in a matter of minutes because they are often in the field and in the same areas that the trucks are servicing.

The recycling rangers write the “Oops” tags, which are then sent to Pacific Waste Services and added onto a customer’s bill. If a customer does not pay the fine, then the fines become a lien on the customer’s property.

Information on the fines and property lien can be read in Chula Vista’s Municipal Codes, Title 8, Chapter 8.24, section 8.24.180, Payment of solid waste collection charges—Penalty for delinquency. You can access the complete municipal code online.

If Pacific Waste Services, the hauler, finds a problem on the street (for example, a scavenger stealing recyclables), they can radio or call the City of Chula Vista’s recycling rangers. Scavengers are not fined; they are observed for as long as possible and their recyclables are confiscated. The city collects evidence for prosecution of multiple offenses and a violation notice can be issued.

In addition, the recycling rangers leave positive notices at a number of locations each day, thanking the residents for their participation and encouraging them to let others know that recycling is good for the environment and can help reduce their monthly trash costs.

If you have any questions regarding Chula Vista’s single-stream recycling collection program, please contact Mike Mathias with Pacific Waste Services at (619) 656-3530, or contact Michael Meacham with the City of Chula Vista at (619) 691-5031.

Last updated: December 28, 2007