Topic Area: Solid Waste Management
Geographic Area: Berlin Township, New Jersey-U.S.
Focal Question: How effective are waste diversion programs and
what elements characterize successful ones?
Sources:
(1) Platt, B., Doherty, C., Broughton, A., Morris, D., Beyond 40
Percent: Record-Setting Recycling and Composting Programs,
Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Island Press, Washington, D.C.,
1991; pgs. 71-84, 1-62.
Reviewer: Robert W. Paterson, Colby College '96
Review:
Rising disposal costs and increased stringency in federal regulation
are forcing municipalities to re-evaluate, and in some cases adopt
integrated solid waste management (SWM) plans; the implications of
which extend beyond traditional land-use considerations to include
air and water pollution and energy consumption. Traditional SWM plans
can be grouped into two broadly defined categories: (1) source
reduction or waste minimization (2) waste diversion or
recycling/composting programs. Depending on the nature of responses
to the implementation of these types of SWM strategies, the two are
often complementary. However, when materials recovery rates approach
40-50%, waste diversion programs may be sufficiently effective by
themselves. Indeed, recycling/composting programs are typically net
loss activities in terms of operating costs and revenues, but when
avoided disposal costs and other potential pollution and energy
savings are accounted for, these programs may in fact be quite
profitable. This case study focuses on one such program in New
Jersey.
Seven communities in New Jersey operate recycling/composting programs
with recovery rates greater than 30%. This innovation is motivated
partially by necessity: (1) by 1985 all state landfills had reached
full capacity (2) since 1979, landfill tipping fees per ton have
increased between 700-1500% (3) the implementation of the Statewide
Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act in 1987. The most
impressive program in the state in terms of participation and
recovery rates is that of Berlin Township. The following are some
characteristics of the program and background information:
Population: 5,629
Number of Households: 1,700
Number of Businesses: 280
Total Waste Generated: 7,778 tons
% Recovered: 57% (32.2% recycling, 24.4% composting)
Participation Rate: 95%
Characteristics: Mandatory source separation, weekly curbside
pick-up and 24-hour voluntary drop-off center, containers provided,
operated by DPW.
Materials Collected: Aluminum, batteries, brush, corrugated
cardboard, Christmas trees, ferrous cans, food waste, glass,
high-grade paper, leaves, mixed paper, newspapers, oil, plastics,
scrap metal, tires, appliances/furniture, wood waste.
Economic Incentives: Progressive fining system.
The exceptional participation and recovery rates are encouraged by
the relative convenience of compliance and economic incentives in the
form of fines. Residents and businesses that fail to separate
recyclables may be denied collection and subjected to fines ranging
from $25 to $100 depending on the number of previous violations.
Enforcement is the responsibility of the DPW, which conducts periodic
inspections. The town, however, does not utilize an incentive-based
pricing system for non-recyclable waste.
All materials collected through the program are transported to
identified markets in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; modest returns are
earned on some materials such as mixed paper while substances such as
oil require additional expenditure for treatment and disposal by
qualified organizations. Composted material from Berlin's two acre
facility is offered to residents free of charge and otherwise is
given to farms in state. The processing system as a whole is highly
efficient; even used tires are utilized as storage bins at the
drop-off center. The following table provides a balance sheet for
Berlin's program in 1989, demonstrating the robust savings
generated.
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Total Operating Costs |
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Materials Revenue |
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Avoided Disposal Cost |
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Savings |
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