Title
Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) Recommendation Regarding the Brush and Bulk Item Collection Program
.Recommended Action
I move that Council approve the Final Recommendation formulated by the Environmental Sustainability Board to collect residential brush only utilizing an “Organic Yard Trimming Roll-Cart” and offer a paid scheduled collection for bulk items;
And request that Environmental Services staff return to County Council with an implementation plan for the Final Recommendation along with an ordinance change to incorporate a reduced service charge for scheduled collection of bulk items;
And as an interim measure, I further move, the implementation of Alternative A as recommended by the Environmental Sustainability Board to collect brush only on a quarterly basis and ask Environmental Services staff to return with a proposal for Council’s consideration to offer a paid scheduled collection of bulk items.
...County Manager’s Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the motion as presented.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The ESB convened on July 21, 2016 and the following motion was made by Member Robinson and passed by a unanimous vote that the Final Recommendation for the Brush and Bulk Item Collection Program be presented to County Council.
Final Recommendation:
Collect brush only utilizing an “Organic Yard Trimming Roll-Cart” and offer a paid scheduled collection for bulk items.
This program would be similar to the automated recycle collection program. This is the most cost effective option after the initial financial investment to implement the program. It is the best option for reducing curb-side unsightliness and it will also increase diversion rates. An “Organic Yard Trimming Roll-Cart” program aligns with long-term plans for sustainability, more so than Alternative A or B.
Body
On July 2015, at the ESB Work Session, the County Council expressed discontent regarding the current Brush and Bulk Item Collection Program. The specific concerns included unsightliness of the bulk material at the curbside, potential health and safety concerns regarding rodents, material is set out too early, the $294K cost of the program, and the County is providing a service that private sector could offer. Possible solutions offered by Council included offering a curbside yard waste roll-cart, eliminating bulk item collection, allowing private sector to collect the material, or collecting brush material only to keep Los Alamos looking sharp.
To thoroughly research this issue and collect public input regarding the Brush and Bulk Item Collection, the ESB conducted the following:
• January 17 and March 13, 2016, the Open Forum Survey was conducted.
• March 17, 2016, the ESB held a public meeting.
• March 31, 2016, the ESB held a special meeting.
• April 21, 2016, the ESB approved the recommendation to 1)Modify the Brush and Bulk Item Collection Program by providing brush pickup two times each year and bulk trash pickup two times each year in alternating quarters; and 2) Pursue an additional roll cart service for organic yard trimmings. This recommendation was based primarily on Open Forum Survey results.
• May 3, 2016, Council approved the FY 16 ESB Work Plan, and more specifically paragraph 2.1 to “Continue research, identify alternatives and propose recommendations to County Council regarding the Brush and Bulk Item Collection Program.”
• May 16, 2016, the ESB presented initial findings and recommendation to County Council at annual Work Session meeting. At this time County Council gave additional feedback regarding the Brush and Bulk Item Collection that was taken into consideration by the ESB.
• May 19, 2016, the ESB discussed the Brush and Bulk Recommendation that was presented to County Council, considered feedback and amended the final recommendation.
• On July 21, 2016, the ESB amended and approved the Final Recommendation with Alternatives A and B to present to County Council. The ESB developed this recommendation based upon public comment, County Council feedback, and upon current demand for brush collection.
While analyzing the results of the open forum survey, 83.2% of the participants affirmed that they would support a curbside organics roll cart program, which would accept yard trimmings, pine needles, grass clipping, leaves and branches. When asked how they would modify the program, the participant’s responses overlapped with almost equal support to collect brush and yard trimmings only (48.7%), schedule a pay for a pick up as needed (44.2%), and collect large appliance or furniture only (42.5%). A small percentage of participants were in favor of reducing collection frequency (23%) or eliminating the program (7.1%). The overall total is greater than 100% because this was a multiple choice question and participants were able to choose multiple answers. Based upon these results the ESB was able to confirm there was support for an organic yard trimming roll-cart and there was also a desire to continue collection of brush and yard trimmings, which is supported in Alternative A.
During analysis of the current Brush and Bulk Item Collection Program, it was found that in 2015 brush collection accounted for 71% or 2,248 of all stops made, while bulk item collection accounted for 29% or 901 stops. However, by weight, bulk items account for 71% of the material collected while brush is only 29%. The annual brush and bulk item collection data from 2012 to 2015 indicate that the amount of brush collected continues to increase while bulk item collection decreases. For example, in fall 2014 bulk collected was 123 tons and brush collected was 59 tons; while, in fall 2015 bulk decreased to 59 tons and brush collected was 128 tons. The data also indicates the demand for brush collection is far greater than for bulk item collection. The ESB was also able to identify trends in usage by season, for example, based on 2015 data, the highest participation rates are during spring and fall, with 1,002 and 890 participants respectively. Furthermore, the recent waste sort data indicates there is a potential to divert 14% or 1,017 tons of brush from the residential waste stream. In 2015, only 256 tons or 22% of all residential brush was collected using the Brush and Bulk Item Collection Program.
Today residents have 12 free loads annually and can schedule a fee based collection at $67 per pick-up plus tipping fees. As part of this recommendation the residents would retain their annual 12 free loads and offer a paid scheduled collection of bulk items at a reduced cost of $25 per collection. It was determined by staff if a group of bulk items are scheduled and collected at one time, then the time to collect these bulk items is reduced and hence a reduced rate can be offered.
The Final Recommendation maximizes diversion of organic yard trimmings. It is the best option for reducing curbside unsightliness and potential rodent issues. It is also the most cost effective option after the initial investment, with a cost savings of $108K to be realized after 6 years. Most importantly, it is the most sustainable option as it will minimize the amount of material that is sent to be landfilled and instead composts the organic yard trimmings into a valuable landscaping material.
Alternatives
Alternative A:
Collect brush only on a quarterly basis and offer a paid scheduled collection of bulk items at a reduced cost of $25 per collection. Alternative A further reduces the cost of the program, reduces unsightliness of bulk items, does not address unsightliness of brush items, and may not further improve diversion.
Alternative B:
Collect brush and bulk items separately in alternate quarters and offer a paid scheduled collection of brush or bulk items at a reduced cost of $25 per collection.
This recommendation will reduce the cost of the program, may not address unsightliness, and increases the diversion.
For example:
Winter - Collect bulk items
Spring - Collect brush
Summer - Collect bulk items
Fall - Collect brush
Fiscal and Staff Impact/New Item
The Final Recommendation requires an initial capital investment of $630K to purchase roll carts and one automated collection truck needed to implement the program. The $630K assumes the County will purchase roll carts for the program and also assumes 100% participation rate by ~6,850 households. Also, one additional FTE will be required to safely and effectively manage the collection, processing and hauling of the material. The annual operating savings of ~$108K will be realized after the initial capital and staff investments.
Keep in mind should no changes be made to this program, operational costs will continue to increase primarily due to hauling and landfilling tip fees increases. It is important to continue to explore capital investments that may offset future on going operational costs. This proposal has a potential capital investment payback in under 6 years. Finally, by way of example, the Bayo Canyon composting project in partnership with DPU had a payback of 6.4 years.
Attachments
A - ESB Brush and Bulk Item Presentation