[greenyes] Recycling Costs and Diversion

["Peter Anderson" <anderson@no.address>]

Frank Mazur asks:
"Can someone provide me a sample of what it costs communities to recycle on 
a
per capita basis and what percent of their trash is recycled?  Is there any
national averages or benchmarks that can be used to measure the cost
effectiveness of these programs in our communities or states?"

There is no single number for the cost per capita to provide curbside 
two-stream recycle collection on a weekly basis, but a rough idea would be 
in the order of $12 per year, based on $2.50/HH/Mon.

Note, however, that this is a gross number and that there are offsetting 
savings that enter into a full cost analysis.  Well known in this regard are 
the net revenues (after sorting costs) from the sale of the recyclables, as 
well as the avoided tipping fees at the landfill. Not as well known is the 
fact that in most cases programs which divert more than 25% of waste 
previously discarded can also avoid part of the costs of collecting trash. 
Together, in well run programs with access to solid markets over the average 
prices of the commodity cycle, the net of the cost of the second fleet of 
trucks against all of these savings is either zero or slightly positive for 
recycling.  You may want to review an article on these points that we wrote 
for Resource Recycling, Anderson, Dreckmann and Reindl, "Debunking the Two 
Fleet Myth," Waste Age (October 1995).

Recycling typically will divert 20%-25% and banning yard debris from 
landfilling (which is done in 22 states) increases diversion by another 
15%-30%, depending upon how temperate its weather -- though there are 
several states and many municipalities which do far better (Nova Scotia, San 
Francisco and you others, please tip your hats).

                                                                             
            Peter




_________________________
Peter Anderson, President
RECYCLEWORLDS CONSULTING
4513 Vernon Blvd. Suite 15
Madison, WI 53705-4964
Ph: (608) 231-1100
Fax: (608) 233-0011
Cell: (608) 698-1314
eMail: anderson@no.address
web: www.recycleworlds.net

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