Page 6 - TN Public Works Sept-Oct 2014 Vol.32 No.3
P. 6
By Bill Kilp and John Fox
Single Stream Curbside Recycling
in Collierville
The town of Collierville’s Public Service
Department began its new single stream
curbside recycle collection program on
June 30. In an effort to reduce cost, im-
prove service levels, and increase recycle
participation, the town has converted
from its privately contracted dual stream
collection operation utilizing 17-gallon
recycle bins to a more efficient town em-
ployee operated single stream collection
utilizing automated collection trucks and
96-gallon recycle carts.
Prior to implementation of the new
recycle collection program, research was
gathered from other municipalities in
the region that had previously made the
switch from 17-gallon recycle containers
to the larger 96-gallon recycle carts. All re- To reduce collection time and improve collection efficiency, the Public Service Department purchased two
ported a 10-15% increase in participation new Heil manufactured 37-cubic yard Starr Automated Trucks.
over the first 12 months and a 20-30%
increase in recycle volumes collected. Prior to delivery of the new 96-gal- rial, up from an average of 2,000 tons
Upsizing to Carts lon Otto Manufactured recycle carts, the under the prior program. This increase
Transitioning to a new collection system department recorded that only 8,700 of in volume will assist the town in its goal
can be challenging. There are multiple 14,700 residential customers were partici- of increasing the number of tons diverted
factors to consider such as program and pating in the dual stream recycle collec- from the landfill on an annual basis and
contract type as well as how to battle a tion program. During the first month of generating additional revenue from the
shrinking budget. A cart manufacturer delivery of the 96-gallon recycle carts to sale of recyclable material.
should include a team of dedicated pro- existing participants in the town’s recycle ReCommunity Memphis MRF
fessionals capable of providing guidance program, 400 new customers requested
and innovative solutions to streamline the delivery of a new recycle container. Each With the estimated increase in volume
processes, products, and financial solu- residential customer requesting a new and the conversion from a dual stream
tions necessary to meet budget require- recycle cart was provided the cart at no to single stream collection operation, the
ments and implementation deadlines. additional cost. With the additional carts town will also benefit from the changes
in how revenue is generated from the
Issues with Bagged Waste at Curb delivered, the town’s recycle participation recyclable materials collected. With the
had increased from an average participa-
• Inclement weather can displace trash tion rate of 50-55% over the past five previously contracted dual stream collec-
into the street years to 62% within the first 30 days of tion operation, the town received payment
• Sharp and hazardous waste increases delivery. Based on this increased par- only for fiber material delivered to the
worker injury ticipation over a short period of time, recycle processing facility by the town’s
• Diversion of reusable or recycles mate- department staff has projected that the contractor. Of the 2,000 tons collected on
rials is more difficult department goal of a 10% increase in an annual basis, only 40% of the material
• Facilitates pest iniltration recycle participation will be met within by volume was fiber material. With the
Advantages of Carts the first 12 months of the new program’s new collection service, the town was able
• Tidies neighborhood streets implementation. to contract the processing and sale of the
recyclable materials with ReCommunity,
• Reduces exposure to hazardous waste In addition to the increased customer a local single stream processing facility
by citizens and collection workers participation, department staff also
• Keeps pests at bay expects to see an increase in the recycle which pays the town based on a price
per total tons collected. This change in
• Protects recyclable materials from in- volumes collected. Public Service staff has revenue generation is expected to increase
clement weather estimated that during the first year of the
• Improves program eficiency and ef- new collection program, the town will recyclable material revenue by 60%.
As of July 1, Collierville recyclables are
fectiveness collect an estimated 2,600 tons of mate-
6 TPW September/October 2014
Single Stream Curbside Recycling
in Collierville
The town of Collierville’s Public Service
Department began its new single stream
curbside recycle collection program on
June 30. In an effort to reduce cost, im-
prove service levels, and increase recycle
participation, the town has converted
from its privately contracted dual stream
collection operation utilizing 17-gallon
recycle bins to a more efficient town em-
ployee operated single stream collection
utilizing automated collection trucks and
96-gallon recycle carts.
Prior to implementation of the new
recycle collection program, research was
gathered from other municipalities in
the region that had previously made the
switch from 17-gallon recycle containers
to the larger 96-gallon recycle carts. All re- To reduce collection time and improve collection efficiency, the Public Service Department purchased two
ported a 10-15% increase in participation new Heil manufactured 37-cubic yard Starr Automated Trucks.
over the first 12 months and a 20-30%
increase in recycle volumes collected. Prior to delivery of the new 96-gal- rial, up from an average of 2,000 tons
Upsizing to Carts lon Otto Manufactured recycle carts, the under the prior program. This increase
Transitioning to a new collection system department recorded that only 8,700 of in volume will assist the town in its goal
can be challenging. There are multiple 14,700 residential customers were partici- of increasing the number of tons diverted
factors to consider such as program and pating in the dual stream recycle collec- from the landfill on an annual basis and
contract type as well as how to battle a tion program. During the first month of generating additional revenue from the
shrinking budget. A cart manufacturer delivery of the 96-gallon recycle carts to sale of recyclable material.
should include a team of dedicated pro- existing participants in the town’s recycle ReCommunity Memphis MRF
fessionals capable of providing guidance program, 400 new customers requested
and innovative solutions to streamline the delivery of a new recycle container. Each With the estimated increase in volume
processes, products, and financial solu- residential customer requesting a new and the conversion from a dual stream
tions necessary to meet budget require- recycle cart was provided the cart at no to single stream collection operation, the
ments and implementation deadlines. additional cost. With the additional carts town will also benefit from the changes
in how revenue is generated from the
Issues with Bagged Waste at Curb delivered, the town’s recycle participation recyclable materials collected. With the
had increased from an average participa-
• Inclement weather can displace trash tion rate of 50-55% over the past five previously contracted dual stream collec-
into the street years to 62% within the first 30 days of tion operation, the town received payment
• Sharp and hazardous waste increases delivery. Based on this increased par- only for fiber material delivered to the
worker injury ticipation over a short period of time, recycle processing facility by the town’s
• Diversion of reusable or recycles mate- department staff has projected that the contractor. Of the 2,000 tons collected on
rials is more difficult department goal of a 10% increase in an annual basis, only 40% of the material
• Facilitates pest iniltration recycle participation will be met within by volume was fiber material. With the
Advantages of Carts the first 12 months of the new program’s new collection service, the town was able
• Tidies neighborhood streets implementation. to contract the processing and sale of the
recyclable materials with ReCommunity,
• Reduces exposure to hazardous waste In addition to the increased customer a local single stream processing facility
by citizens and collection workers participation, department staff also
• Keeps pests at bay expects to see an increase in the recycle which pays the town based on a price
per total tons collected. This change in
• Protects recyclable materials from in- volumes collected. Public Service staff has revenue generation is expected to increase
clement weather estimated that during the first year of the
• Improves program eficiency and ef- new collection program, the town will recyclable material revenue by 60%.
As of July 1, Collierville recyclables are
fectiveness collect an estimated 2,600 tons of mate-
6 TPW September/October 2014
