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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/11/1987 - Solid Waste Abatement Commission AGENDA EAGAN SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT COMMISSION WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 1987 7:00 A.M. EAGAN MUNICIPAL CENTER I. ROLL CALL AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES II. DRAFT RESOLUTION ON BUSINESS RECYCLING III. DISCUSSION OF SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT ALTERNATIVES IV. PRESENTATION - HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION A. George Kinney, Lead Worker in Hazardous Waste Management - Dakota County V. DISTRIBUTION A. Organized Collection Study - Draft Scope of Work VI. ADJOURNMENT MEMO TO: CHAIRS HOEL AND MANN ALL MEMBERS OF THE SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT COMMISSION FROM: JON HOHENSTEIN, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT DATE: MARCH 5, 1987 SUBJECT: SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT COMMISSION MEETING FOR MARCH 11, 1987 A meeting of the Eagan Solid Waste Abatement Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 1987 at 7:00 a.m. in the Eagan Municipal Center Conference Rooms A and B. Please contact Jon Hohenstein at 454 -8100 if you are unable to attend this meeting. The following discussion is intended to provide background on those items to be reviewed at the meeting on Wednesday. I. ROLL CALL AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES A copy of the minutes of the Solid Waste Abatement Commission meeting of February 25, 1987 is enclosed for your review on pages 1-y. These minutes, subject to any change, require approval by the Commission. II. DRAFT RESOLUTION ON BUSINESS RECYCLING A copy of a draft resolution concernin2 commercial recycling is enclosed for your review on page _ This resolution has been prepared in response to discussion held by the Commission at its last regular meeting. The purpose of the resolution is to direct actions to raise public awareness of commercial recycling alternatives. This would be promoted through local media, the City Newsletter, and other media resources. In addition to the resolution, a list of commercial recyclers drawn from the Metropolitan Council Recyclable Market Study has been prepared by City staff for inclusion in any media promotion. Such lists will also be available upon request to local businesses from City offices. It would be appropriate to consider whether this resolution is consistent with the purposes of the Solid Waste Abatement Commission at this time. Commission members should consider the means by which this resolution could integrate with any eventual strategy recommendation to the Eagan City Council. It should further be considered in light of the county master plan priorities as indicated in its master plan draft. ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THIS ITEM: To approve, modify, or deny the draft resolution concerning commercial recycling for consideration by the Eagan City Council. III. DISCUSSION OF SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT ALTERNATIVES Enclosed on pages ( c 7 you will find an alternative profile and flow chart for Rohn Industries. Please add this to the profiles distributed at past Commission meetings for a continued discussion of the alternatives presented to date. ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THIS ITEM: To provide additional direction and initial priorities of alternatives for further staff investigation. IV. PRESENTATION - HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION A. George Kinney, Dakota County Human Services -- Mr. George Kinney, lead worker in harzardous waste management for Dakota County, will join the meeting at 8:00 a.m. to discuss harzardous waste collection and the potential for a citywide or a countywide hazardous waste collection in the future. Mr Kinney's responsibilities bring him in contact with most businesses in the county which produce hazardous wastes of various kinds. Mr. Kinney engages in inspections and monitoring of certain wastes and their disposal as well as coordinating the development of disposal alternatives as needed. Mr. Kinney has indicated that it would be beneficial to undertake a household hazardous waste collection in the county. The City of Inver Grove Heights is currently planning its third annual household hazardous waste collection and the City of Hastings has expressed interest in a similar program. He has contacted the City of Eagan for purposes of determining whether the City, through its Solid Waste Abatement Commission, is likewise interested in a collection program. Mr. Kinney will discuss the costs and the potential to spread costs either among local businesses or several cities within the county. ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THIS ITEM: No action is required on this item at this time; however, the Commission may wish to provide staff direction or make recommendation to the City Council in this regard in advance of its final report. V. DISTRIBUTION A. Organized Collection Study - Draft Scope of Work -- Enlosed on pages $*( you will find a copy of the Draft Scope of Work for the Eagan Organized Collection Study. Staff has compiled comments from two vendors able to provide services of this kind. Staff will be available to discuss elements of the study with the Commission. B. Citizens League Solid Waste Recycling Report Outline -- Enclosed on pages /Q.' /jyou will find the draft outline for the Citizens League Solid Waste Recycling Report. As you may know, the Citizens League has undertaken a similar study to that being performed by the Commission for the metropolitan region. The Citizens League study focuses principally on recycling and discusses other alternatives as they pertain to recycling. Staff would draw Commission attention to the recommendation sections under each category. The League comes out strongly in favor of volume -based fees and the maintenance of competition in the waste management industry. Unfortunately, the League seems to focus on the impact of hazardous materials on landfills and implies that by removing hazardous materials, the waste management system will not have an adverse impact on land disposal. This Commission has discussed in the past that in addition to the impact of hazardous waste on the ground water, the sheer volume of recyclable and recoverable waste being placed in landfills is part of the current crisis in waste management. Therefore, the recommendations of the report should be viewed in the context of the report in its entirety, as this position is generally unique from that expressed by the Commission to date. VI. ADJOURNMENT To facilitate another meeting in the same conference rooms, the Solid Waste Abatement Commission meeting will adjourn at or about 8:50 a.m. Admi stratiVe Assistant JH /mc cc: Tom Hedges, City Administrator Dale Runkle, City Planner • Subject to Approval MINUTES OF THE SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT COMMISSION MEETING Eagan, Minnesota February 25, 1987 A meeting of the Eagan Solid Waste Abatement Commission was held on Wednesday, February 25, 1987, at the Eagan Municipal Center at 7:05 a.m. The following members were present: Tom Mann, Earl Milbridge, Tim Hoel, Larry Knutson, Delmar DeBilzan, Jon Hohenstein and Alternate, Terry Schnell. Absent were: Darlene Bahr, Duane Soutor and Thom Yehle. Also present were City Administrator Tom Hedges, Dakota County Solid Waste Planner Warren Wilson, and Doug Wilcox. MINUTES Upon motion by Knutson, seconded by Hoel, all members voting in favor, the minutes of the February 4, 1987 Solid Waste Abatement Commission meeting were approved. ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS City Administrator Hedges was present to cover certain items for Organizational Business. He suggested that the Commission elect certain officers for purposes of facilitating meetings and providing liason to the City Council when reports and joint meetings are necessary. He further indicated that certain offices would best be filled by resident members of the Commission as opposed to non - resident business representatives or representatives of the industry. After some discussion, Tim Hoel and Tom Mann agreed to accept nomination as co- chairpersons to spread the responsiblity and time commitment between the two of them. Upon motion by DeBilzan, seconded by Milbridge, all members voting in favor, Tim Hoel and Tom Mann were elected as co- chairpersons of the Solid Waste Abatement Commission. Hedges next reviewed the policy statement prepared by the City Council for consideration by all advisory commissions and committees. The policies concerned the responsibilities of advisory commission members with respect to abstentions from voting, expenditures, use of staff time and notice of special meetings. Having completed this item, City Administrator Hedges excused himself from the meeting at 7:33 a.m. SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT ALTERNATIVES Administrative Assistant Hohenstein summarized discussions from the previous meeting concerning solid waste abatement alternatives. He further indicated that alternative profiles had been prepared for hazardous waste collection and recycling and clean -up day promotions. Mann indicated that the matter of hazardous waste is attracting significant attention at the present time and that legislation is being presented in the present session for deposits on pesticide containers. Hohenstein indicated that George Kinney had contacted the City about the possibility of jointly undertaking a household hazardous waste collection project in the City. He said that Mr. Kinney indicated that costs for such promotions are increasing rapidly as more costly and more effective means of disposal are being utilized. Wilson indicated that he was aware of two places in the United States that will incinerate hazardous wastes and that that is the best means of disposing of such wastes. Schnell stated that there was a third location which currently incinerates all hazardous wastes. Wilcox, who is employed by 3M in its Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control Divison, offered the group a tour of the hazardous waste incineration facility in Cottage Grove. He stated that their facility was certified to burn all hazardous wastes with the exceptions of dioxins and that 3M may be able to offer some incineration services for a hazardous waste collection program. Mann asked if it would be possible to promote more awareness of disposal options for hazardous wastes. Wilson responded that the County has started an educational committee as part of its Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee and that public awareness will be the thrust of any program the County undertakes. Wilson indicated that he is also working with the City of Hastings on the possibility of a hazardous waste collection. Hohenstein offered to contact George Kinney as a resource person for the next meeting and the Commission agreed that such a presentation would be worthwhile. BUSINESS RECYCLING PRESENTATION Mr. Dennis Fields of Rohn Industries was present to review the commercial recycling options available through Rohn Industries. He stated that Rohn has four commercial recycling divisions, including confidential data destruction, commercial recycling design, feasibility study consulting and marketing services. He indicated that Rohn is located in Golden Valley and serves businesses and communities within a 150 mile radius of the Twin Cities. Mr. Fields said that many cities have concentrated on residential recycling to date. He said that Rohn Industries and other commercial recyclers offer alternatives for the management of business wastes. He stated further that most businesses do not realize the part they play in impacting the solid waste management network. He stated that he researched many of Eagan's largest businesses and found that most are recycling already. As examples, he cited Unisys which recycles 350 tons of material per year, Blue Cross /Blue Shield of Minnesota which is recycling 80 - 90 tons per year, American Fruit which bales its corrugated containers and Coca -Cola which burns its wastes for plant heat. He said the principal concern of smaller firms is how much extra work it will take to separate recyclable wastes. He said that Rohn Industries have regional markets for most types of paper. He said, however, that the use of Rohn Industries for a feasibility study may not result in Rohn being the vendor for recycling services. He stated that some businesses have types of wastes or are of the size that can be better served by an alternative vendor and that Rohn would attempt to direct such businesses to those alternatives. Wilson asked if there was a break point for business size or waste volume that makes it worthwhile to recycle. Fields indicated that the average office worker produces 1.5 pounds of paper per day, with insurance companies and banks generating slightly higher amounts of around 2.7 pounds per person per day. Of that, 80% is typically recyclable and 60% is of a high grade. He said that if this amount of paper is removed from the waste stream it will cut disposal costs even if no proceeds are recognized from its collection. Mr. Fields stated that Rohn Industries likes to work directly with building managers or custodians from multi- tenant buildings to insure uniformity throughout the building and between businesses. He said that this works the same as if it were one business in the same size building. Wilson stated that there were other companies in the Eagan area which were committed to recycling. As an example, he cited West Publishing which is considering waste energy use in its plant in the City. Fields stated that other major employers such as Northwest Airlines have tried recycling in the past and have found it to be too cumbersome for their purposes. Wilson asked if shredded confidential documents could be recycled. Fields responded that the shredded paper itself was recyclable but that shredding fluffs the material so much, the transportation costs are increased and the margin to the company reduced. Moreover, he said its difficult to control contaminants in shredded paper. Wilson asked whether the use of quality control and small bailers to reduce the bulk of the paper could allow shredded paper to be recycled. Fields responded that with adequate controls and adequate volume reduction, such paper is recyclable. Fields stated that the biggest problem in promoting commercial recycling to businesses is their lack of understanding that source separation in recycling is a priority for the metropolitan region. He said that it would improve the ability of his and other businesses to approach local industries if cities and counties would publicize the importance of commercial recycling as a part of its waste management strategy. Hohenstein asked the group if it would be interested in reviewing a resolution regarding commercial recycling in general which could be used to publicize the Metropolitan Council targets for office paper and corrugated recycling. Schnell stated that it would be a good idea to make a general statement provided the City did not promote one vendor over another. Knutson agreed and suggested that a list of potential vendors be prepared such that interested businesses could be offered an alternative to landfill disposal. Hohenstein stated that such a list was available through the Metropolitan Council market study for recyclable materials and that such a list could be prepared. Knutson asked if Rohn Industries accepted corrugated materials. Fields said that Rohn and other vendors do accept corrugated and that Rohn is looking into a program to lease corrugated baling machines to ease handling and increase value. Fields stated that it was important to start the program soon because the 1990 deadline is an important target to pursue. He indicated that he did not believe that the Metropolitan Council waste reduction targets could be met by that time but that efforts could be undertaken before then. Wilson agreed that the 1990 deadline would be difficult to achieve but that it is still a good target in the near term. Fields stated that the need exists for incentives and disincentives to encourage the use of landfill alternatives. Hohenstein indicated that he could take the items discussed at the meeting and prepare a draft resolution pertinent to commercial recycling for consideration by the Commission at its next meeting. Commission members stated that this would be preferable to passing an action on the matter without such a document. DISTRIBUTION Hohenstein pointed out the curbside collection survey from the Metropolitan Council which was included in the packets. He stated that Commission members should review the various programs profiled in the study as a context for future decisions on waste abatement strategy. NEXT MEETING The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, at 7:00 a.m. This will return the Commission to its regular second Wednesday of the month schedule. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Milbridge, seconded by Knutson, all members voting in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 a.m. JH Date Chairperson Secretary CITY OF EAGAN RESOLUTION CONCERNING COMMERCIAL RECYCLING WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota has adopted the Minnesota Waste Management Act, Minnesota Statute 473.803 to encourage the abatement of the landfill disposal of certain recyclable and recoverable wastes and has established a mandate that no unprocessed solid waste may be landfilled after 1990; and, WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council has adopted policy guidelines to encourage the implementation of the Act, recognizing within such guidelines the need to remove high grade office paper and corrugated materials from the commercial wastestream; and, WHEREAS, the City of Eagan, through its Solid Waste Abatement Commission, has defined office paper and corrugated material recycling as a positive alternative to landfill disposal; and, WHEREAS, the cost of landfill disposal is increasing substantially as the 1990 deadline for landfill abatement approaches and cost - effective alternatives to such disposal are available through various vendors throughout the metropolitan area; and, WHEREAS, the Eagan City Council supports the role of free enter- prise in the management of social issues and the mitigation o4 regional challenges, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Eagan encourage its business community to undertake individual assessments of its means of solid waste disposal and the presence of recyclable and recoverable materials in its wastestream. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City shall make available, through the local media and otherwise, a list of metropolitan area firms which provide office paper and corrugated recycling services to facilitate commercial recycling in the City of Eagan. CITY OF EAGAN CITY COUNCIL By: Its Mayor Attest: Its Clerk Motion made by: Seconded by: Those in favor: Those against: Dated: CERTIFICATION I, E. J. VanOverbeke, Clerk of the City of Eagan, Dakota County, Minnesota, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Eagan, Dakota County, Minnesota, in a regular meeting thereof assembled this day of , 1987. E. J. VanOverbeke, City Clerk City of Eagan o SOLID WASTE ABATEMENT SERVICE ALTERNATIVE PROFILE FIRM: Rohn Industries PHONE: 593-548 ADDRESS: P 0 Box 464; Minneapolis, MN 55440 SERVICE DESCRIPTION: Office paper recvcling, commercial recycling consulting COLLECTION METHOD /MATERIALS: Method: Curb -Side Separate: x Drop Site Separate: Curb -Side Mixed: Drop Site Mixed: Materials: Aluminum: Glass: Newsprint: Other: Hi•h -•rade office .a.er and corru•at -_ Responsible Party: Rohn /Building management Equipment: Various - desk top containers, central containers. palletainers, balers, etc. INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING: Extent: Separation and packaging Responsible Party: Rohn Equipment: SYSTEM PROCESS: Description: N/A Responsible Party: Equipment: MARKETING: Market Description: Regional markets Responsible Party: Rohn Equipment /Transport: COST /REVENUE: Expense: Capital: Various Useful Life: Operations: Various Other: Revenues /Assets: Equity: City Funds: Other Funding Sources: Various Operating Revenue: COMMENTS: Costs and revenues depend upon nature and vnlnme of collected material. Rohn Industries Commercial Recycling WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCEPT FLOW CHART , {EDucATION] [GENERATORS WASTE REDUCTION • C MIXED SOURCE DROP OFF/ SOLID WASTE SEPARATION �' REDEMPTION CTfl 4. 4' Y- COLLECTION 4 L SEPARATED WASTES MIXED SOLID WASTE I - INTERMEDIATE _ SEPARATED PROCESSING WASTES WASTE PROCESSING COMPOST/ } PRODUCT} CO-COMPOST RDF '� PRODUCT; -- -4 MASS BURN LANDFILL LMA 1 EAGAN ORGANIZED COLLECTION STUDY DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK TASKS I. ASSESSMENT A. Current Open Hauling System 1. Identify and quantify costs, limitations and im- pacts associated with the current open hauling system in Eagan. Such assessment to include: a. Infrastructure costs b. Operating and capital cost estimates c. Environmental impacts d. Survey of current local rates 2. Identify and describe compatible residential recycling options. B. Alternative Collection Systems 1. Identify and describe alternative collection systems. a. Sectorization based on current number of li- censed haulers b. Sectorization at fewer than the current number of licensed haulers c. Single hauler contract organization d. Modified open hauling system e. Other 2. Identify and quantify costs, limitations and im- pacts associated with alternative collection sys- tems. Such assessment to include: a. Infrastructure costs b. Operating and capital cost estimates c. Environmental impacts d. Estimated rate impacts including the potential for volume based fees e. Social acceptability f. Industry impacts including vendor availability g. Legal issues including antitrust liability h. Implementation issues including new entrants, bonding and community growth 3. Identify and describe compatible residential recy- cling options for each. C. Identify and describe potential impacts of County waste management alternatives on each. gl • PAGE TWO II. ANALYSIS A. Develop differential analyses comparing the current open hauling system with each of the collection alter- natives described with reference to each of the costs, limitations and impacts defined in the assessment phase B. Prepare matrices and diagrams necessary to graphically illustrate the major points of the analysis III. REPORT PREPARATION A. Prepare final report documents including all elements described above. B. The report analysis and format shall be suitable for City determination of preferred alternatives. The City reserves the right to request vendor recommendations and a feasibility /implementation plan upon completion of this study. lr CITIZENS LEAGUE 708 South 3rd Street Suite 500 Minneapolis, MN 55415 338 -0791 SOLID WASTE RECYCLING OUTLINE March 2, 1987 INTRODUCTION ABOUT WASTE MANAGEMENT TODAY I. Waste generation in the Twin Cities metropolitan area II. How waste management is accomplished today in the Twin Citiv.= metropolitan area. III. Waste management has been effective, easy, and inexpensive. INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF WASTE THAT IS RECYCLED Findings about Increasing the Amount of Waste that is Recycled I. The definition of recycling II. Recycling is not new; it is a recent phenomenon that all waste is thrown away. III. The Twin Cities metropolitan area currently recycles about three percent of its waste. A few municipalities in the metropolitan area are providing real leadership in encouraging residents to separate materials from the waste stream for recycling. IV. The Twin Cities metropolitan area's goal is to recycle 16 percent of the waste stream. The Metropolitan Council is giving strong leadership for the area in expressing recycling's potential and encouraging efforts to set and reach a goal for recycling. V. At least one -half of the waste stream in the metropolitan area is recyclable. VI. Recycling could be an environmentally and economically sound method of waste management. A. Environmentally: 1) Recycling materials is preferred by many over the use of raw, natural resources. 2) Recycling materials is preferred by many over disposal, as it saves land space. B. Economically: 1) Recycling gets value out of materials, while disposal usually destroys them and therefore their value. 2) Recycling some materials can be done at a profit (the sale value of the materials exceeds the cost to collect and process them for sale) . 3) The recycling process generally costs less than the disposal process, although indirect costs to the generator to separate and store the materials are invisible. /tD 2 _ VII. Even though r ecyc'.__,__ c.u.1d b"? ran enl.' .. _.-o.-,i `'a°- _ and 2cc.no...C'Q'1. sound method of waste management. efforts to collect and process recyclables today are minimal. A. Most households and commercSai- ndustriz i establishmsnts are unwilling to keep recyclables separated from the easte stream and to deliver them to a. recycler or collection point because incentives are lacking: 1) In some municipalities _.n .`'._e -iti an ae - c',: simply have not been ,asked to wear: e their are there collectors to take recyclables from them. 2) There are no economic incentives, such as payms= ey savings on the waste bill. 3) There are costs in the inconvenience of separa tj.n and storing recyclables and the expense of deliver_ i.ng th m p a recycler, if necessary. B. The amount of aggressive business activity to collect and process recyclables is minimal, because: 1) The costs to collect and process recyclables generally exceed their market value, unless labor costs are mSnim '. or nothing. There are some exceptions to 'Phis, such as aluminum recycling system working today. 2) Markets, while they exist for many recyclables, : ant to b volatile. 3) Collectors rarely get paid a fee for the collection service they provide because (a) households and commercial - industrial establishments don't see a savings elsewhere and expect recycling to be a free service and (b) municipalities see an increase in total spending when they have both recycling and waste contracts. Conclusions about Increasing the Amount of Waste that is Recycled I. The goal of recycling 16 percent of the metropolitan area's waste stream is modest, since at least one -half of the waste stream is recyclable. II. Recy ^ling of traditionally - recycled materials, such as glass, paper and aluminum, is environmentally - sensitive, but it should not be expected to solve any environmental problems. A. Recycling can help to conserve natural resources, such as trees, bauxite, and land space if shortages of such resources should occur. When the cost of using natural resources exceeds the cost of using recyclables to manufacture procucts, then more recycling will be done. B. The materials typically recycled (paper, glass, and aluminum) are not known to pose any hazards to the environment when disposed. III. Recycling could reduce the costs of the waste management system, if an adjustment in the current pricing structure of waste management were made. As recycling takes volume away from waste collection and disposal, the total amount of spending on the latter should decrease. Such volume - sensitivity could spur competition and development in waste management, cause waste to be treated as a commodity rather than a problem, and lower costs for waste generators. I/ -3- Recommendations about Increasing the Amount of Waste that i= Recycled I. The Legislature should require municipalities to take action to ensure that market - pricing for waste exists. Costs of waste collection and disposal should be positively responsive to changes in the volume of waste they handle due to recycling or other waste management methods. For example, if a municipality has organized collection of waste, then it should include a factor of pricing - sensitivity based upon volume in its contracts. Or if a municipality has an open hauling system of waste collection, then it should pass an ordinance that would require haulers to offer households a fee structure based upon volume. THE EMERGING WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND RECYCLING Findings About the Emerging Waste Management System and Recycling I. Waste management in the Twin Cities metropolitan area is changing. A. Waste Management Act B. Metropolitan Council Guide C. County Actions II. The prospects for an increase in recycling depend upon the kind of waste management system that is emerging. A. The emerging system will be dominated by high -cost, capital- intensive processing facilities. The construction and operation of the facilities, while being done by private industry, are actually being accomplished with significant public investment and risk. B. The facilities will need a large and guaranteed quantity of waste for optimal operation. To ensure that this need is met, counties will control where waste is disposed. This maximization of the control of waste will minimize the amount waste recycling that occurs. Conclusions About the Emerging Waste Management System and Recycling i. If the emerging waste management structure becomes dominated by a single strategy, competing strategies such as recycling, even if they are potentially superior, are not likely to become significant methods in the management system. The public's investments in the central processing facilities will be so significant that serving them through the supply of waste will be necessary. No competing methods of waste management will be given an equal opportunity to succeed. This will be true even if the recommendations to ensure that volume- sensitive pricing mechanisms are employed in waste management are followed. II. The emerging system of waste management should be analyzed to determine (1) if it is necessary to create a closed, non - competitive system in order to satisfy environmental - safety needs, and (2) if not, then how the system could be changed to manage the aspects that pose threats to the environment while leaving the system as open and competitive as possible. 11 -4- M THE EMERGING WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN GENERAL Why is recycling, a potentially superior method of waste management, being kept from becoming a maior competitor for waste? What could be done to open up the system so that any options that may be economically and environmentally - sound are given the ooportuni.ty to enter the waste system and compete for waste supply? Findings About Why the Waste Management System Is Fieina Closed I. The waste management system is changing due tc environmental concerns. Landfilling is considered to be unacceptable because it is believed to contaminate the groundwater. A ban on land_`iiling "unprocessed" waste has been legislated, therefore, and an alternate primary disposal method has been sought. Central processing facilities have been presented as the best disposal option -- they can manage large quantities of waste using basically the same collection system as is used today. II. The waste management system still is not adequately dealing with the environmental problem. A. Landfilling "unprocessed" waste has been banned because it is considered to b2 the contaminator of groundwater. But it is not the method of landfilling that is the problem; the problem is the improper disposal of certain hazardous materials. B. Many of those hazardous materials still must be managed outside of the disposal system. III. If the hazardous materials were separated from the waste stream, any of the known management methods safely could handle the waste. The remaining waste materials would pose no threat to the environment when disposed. Conclusions About the Structure of the Waste Management System I. Public policy does not need to focus on how to manage the total waste stream. It only needs to focus on proper management of the hazardous wastes. If it were to do that, the rest of the waste stream could be managed, subject to environmental regulation, in ways directed by market forces. II. Public subsidies and programs should avoid prejudicing one waste management method at the disadvantage of other environmentally competitive methods. No publicly- created monopolies should be allowed. Recommendations About the Structure of the Waste Management System Public policy should be designed to (I) manage the hazardous wastes that could threaten the environment and (II) ensure that an open and competitive waste management system is allowed to operate. 1. A. The Legislature should require all entities in the state that generate waste to keep hazardous wastes separated from the disposal -bound waste stream. �3 -5- S• B. The Legislature should charge the appropriate public agencies to regularly review and publish the list of wastes that cannot be disposed (as determined in A), to design a system to manage those wastes, and to enforce public compliance. Compliance should be made as easy as possible. II. A. The Legislature should amend the Waste Management Act to define waste that contains no hazardous material. "processed" and therefore legally manageable by :,:7 t :cd. All options, including landfilling, burning, and recycling, should be given equal opportunity to compete fcr th -_.t ±e. B. The Legislature should remove counties' authority to control the waste flow. Competition for waste should be allc /41