City's recycling report card above average

By Robin Mero

Posted: July 29, 2009 at 7:15 a.m.

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FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville's recycling program is above average in a six-state region in cost and popularity, for the cost of $3.56 per household, the City Council heard Tuesday at an agenda session.

The city hired R.W. Beck Inc. in April 2008 to conduct a comprehensive recycling study. Results were presented by Scott Pasternak, principal.

The company evaluated the city's curbside sort system and alternative collection and processing options. Pasternak said his company followed recycling trucks and scrutinized operations and finances.

Each participating Fayetteville household recycles an average of 587 pounds a year - one of the highest rates in the southwest region, which includes Texas,Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arizona. Contamination is minimal, less than 1 percent.

The total cost of service is $1.3 million or $5.88 per household per month, Pasternak said. The benefit from sale of materials is $524,685, which drops the cost of service to $3.56.

The city also saves $135,148 by not taking mate-rials to a landfill.

"If you could get a private company to do the processing, you would save money, but we are recommending the city keep its current program now - considering the economic condition we're in," Pasternak said. That change can be considered in the future, he suggested.

Short-term recommendations:

◊Offering commercial recycling to small businesses. Each route can spare a little extra time now, Pasternak said. The city should be selective in adding new customers based on location and size. Those commercial customers should pay $5.88 per month, which is about what residential customers incur.

◊Expanding commercial paper collection for businesses that generate large volumes, which can't be collected by the curb-sort program. Hopefully, revenue would be generated from sale of the material, he said. The fee would be less than the cost for similar refuse service - and the same as cardboard rates.

◊Enhancing and expanding drop-off centers for residents, and for businesses that can't participate in curb pickup.

The existing drop-off program is successful based on the quantity recycled, Pasternak said.

Suggestions were to make the center more community friendly by improving landscaping and signage, and adding a compost demo, book swaps, recycled content products and an education component.

"Make it more of an exciting, interesting place to go - rather than just a drop-off location," he said.

Brian Pugh, waste reduction coordinator, said a recycling drop-off facility will be opened on the west side, but won't be open 24/7 like the current facility because it will be staffed.

The city has also been working on a pilot program to integrate food waste into yard waste composting, Pasternak said.

Fayetteville is seeking a permit modification from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to allow ongoing collection of food waste from existing grocery store customers.

The balance between liquids and solids has to be managed.

There may be a need for a concrete pad to accommodate liquid; that is included in this year's capital improvement package, Pugh said.

News, Pages 1, 5 on 07/29/2009

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