RE: [greenyes] WM vs THE SMALL RECYCLERS Re: [greenyes] Waste Management an...

["Bantillo, Stephen" <Stephen.Bantillo@no.address>]

In response to the comments/questions "Is it a means to an end, i.e.,
putting the smaller guys out of business?", and that smaller companies were
put out of business by city councils serving big business as a result of
AB939....

(Though these comments are C&D in nature, I think the situation also applies
to single stream)

C&D is a hot topic with many jurisdictions rushing to develop a C&D
recycling ordinance as a means of diversion compliance or to reach an even
higher goal established by their voters or other resolution.  Add to that
the CIWMB's promulgation of regulations on C&D processing & disposal, which
undeniably favor the disposal industry, and you can see how recyclers (many
smaller companies) may be at a competitive disadvantage now and for some
unforeseeable time in the future.

At the California Resource Recovery Association's (CRRA) Annual Conference
held this week in Ontario, CA, one of the recurring themes in the C&D
sessions was that of local control.  Even though the CIWMB's regs appear to
have created some serious hurdles for recyclers, the local jurisdictions
still have at their disposal a variety of tools to assist recyclers, small
or large.  The local jurisdictions should look very carefully at their
existing systems/rules/fee structures to make sure they aren't creating new
barriers or perpetuating existing barriers to recycling.  Does the
jurisdiction have language in its franchises that enhances recycling, make
it more competitive, and help the markets?  Are there performance/recycling
requirements?  Is there a level playing field?  The Hawthorne example
mentioned is an excellent one.
http://www.cityofhawthorne.com/psrv_hawrcy-ord1770.pdf.     

While AB939 may have led to some small companies being put out of business,
the experience in San Jose has been the opposite.  When AB939 passed, San
Jose had an exclusive commercial franchise system.  In 1994 that changed to
a non-exclusive franchise system where there are now 27 franchises, large
and small, competing to serve the business community.  The City's fee
structure provides a free pass on volume collected amounting to roughly
$70,000/year/company, which encourages competition and small company
participation.

d8)
Stephen M Bantillo
City of San José, Environmental Services Department
Integrated Waste Management
777 North First Street, Suite 300
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 277-3846   Office and VMail
(408) 277-3669   Fax      
http://www.sjrecycles.org/business/index.htm