2023-043 Current and Future Home Chemical Collection Initiatives June 16,2023 Report No. 2023-043
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Current and Future Home Chemical Collection Initiatives
BACKGROUND:
The Home Chemical Collection (HCC) division of the Solid Waste and Recycling Department
collects various household hazardous wastes from City of Denton residents. The HCC operates
curbside collections as well as staffing a drop-off center and reuse store located at 1527 S. Mayhill
Road. The goal of this division is to divert material from the landfill and aid in keeping our
waterways free of contaminating chemicals.
DISCUSSION:
The HCC has instituted several changes in the last few months to enhance service offerings to the
community.
• Convenient Recycling Drop-Off: The recycling drop-off location at the landfill has been
moved to the HCC area. This reduces the wait times that recycling customers were
experiencing while in line with those dropping off brush or trash. In the busiest months,
this change reduces wait time by up to 30 minutes. Locating the recycle containers at the
HCC also allows staff to oversee customers recycling items further reducing
contamination.
• Expanded Hours: HCC drop-off hours have been updated to mirror those of the landfill,
with new hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m. to noon on most holidays.
These new extended hours went into effect on February 11, 2023, have resulted in the
collection of over 10,000 lbs.,averaging over 580 lbs.per day,of chemicals and paints that
may not have been collected otherwise. This includes the 17 Saturdays and Memorial Day
holiday from February 11 to June 3.
• Communication: The HCC is now grouped with the scale house and the dispatch group.
This change allows for better communication and cross-training between those employees.
This communication resulted in more customers being diverted to the HCC to dispose of
metal items such as workout equipment, metal fencing, and barbeque grills.
• Pallet Diversion: Pallets are used for shipping out chemicals and batteries from the HCC.
Salvaging these pallets not only kept them out of the landfill but saves the HCC about
$1,400 in pallet purchasing.
• Book Diversion: The HCC has also been collecting a few other items in an effort to recycle
or reuse them. In April of this year, HCC began accepting books for recycling. Books
would normally be considered contamination in carts,but the vendor will accept books that
have been bulked and packaged in gaylords. In just a few months,HCC received 5,577 lbs.
of books to be recycled.
• Bicycle Collection: The HCC also started collecting bicycles that were initially brought as
trash or put into the metal bin. With 19 bicycles collected so far, staff are working on a
plan to provide these to individuals in need and other potential opportunities for this
diversion.
June 16,2023 Report No. 2023-043
The following additional plans will continue to expand the HCC's diversion abilities:
• Plastic Film Diversion: A baling machine has been purchased to help combat plastic film,
which is our number one contaminant in our programmatic recycling. Some examples of
plastic film are garbage bags, shopping bags,plastic around water bottles, and plastic wrap
used in packaging. Installation of this bailer will allow the HCC to accept drop-offs of
plastic bags and film which can be baled and sold as a commodity.
• Styrofoam Diversion: Staff submitted a grant application that, if successful, will provide
reimbursement for the purchase of a Styrofoam densifier. This will allow for a new drop-
off program at the HCC that will keep Styrofoam out of the landfill. The grant application
has been approved for submission by Council but is awaiting NCTCOG approval of the
application and grant issuance.
• Aerosol Can Diversion Enhancement: The HCC has an aerosol can piercing machine
allowing for drainage of aerosol spray paint cans,then recycling the metal from the aerosol
can to reduce shipping cost on the paint extracted. The previous process shipped aerosol
paint cans in complete form and were unable to recycle the scrap metal. Staff are finalizing
a standard operating procedure,will seek final approval from Environmental Compliance,
and can then begin utilizing this device.
Along with these new enhancements, staff continue seeking more opportunities for diversion to
the HCC.
STAFF CONTACT:
J.J. Tips
Operations Manager—Weigh Station and HCC
JJ.Tips@cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-8042
REOUESTOR: Staff Initiated
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: I hour
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Solid Waste and Recycling Department