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Home My WebLink About2017-087 Citizen Recycling LettersDate: December 8, 2017 INFORMAL STAFF REPORT TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: Report No. 2017-087 Report addressing citizen letters requesting multifamily recycling, composting, and construction material diversion. BACKGROUND: Over the last several weeks, the City Council has received numerous citizen letters regarding requests to implement and/or improve multifamily recycling, composting, and construction material diversion. Last week, a resident contacted Solid Waste staff and stated that representatives from Texas Campaign for the Environment were canvassing their neighborhood and distributing the attached flyers. Many of the letters being sent to Council are likely the result of this group's efforts. The resident also stated that the canvasser requested donations and claimed to be working directly with members of the City Council. On November 22, 2017, Council received the attached email from the DFW Program Director for Texas Campaign for the Environment. More information about this organization can be found by visiting https://www.texasenvironment.or�/. The subject matter highlighted by the flyers and citizen letters are key focus areas for the Solid Waste department. While City of Denton recycling services are available to all commercial and multifamily entities, staff acknowledges the need to improve upon the 41.5% recycling adoption rate for multifamily properties. Staff is actively warking on strategies to increase recycling accessibility far multifamily tenants, and an update on these efforts was provided to the Council Committee on the Environment on November 6, 2017. A copy of the presentation is attached. Staff continues to work with the Committee on the Environment on strategies to improve multifamily recycling, and will bring a final draft of these efforts to the Public Utilities Board and City Council when completed. In regards to composting, a staff report detailing the City of Denton's Dyno Dirt operation was provided to Council as part of the November 10, 2017 reading file. As for the diversion of construction materials, Solid Waste's Building Materials Recovery operation diverts, processes, and sells construction and demolition materials such as wood, concrete, and metal. The Solid Waste department is dedicated to waste minimization and sustainable business practices, and staff appreciates our citizens' input and commitment to improving our city's performance in these areas. Date: December 8, 2017 ATTACHMENT(S): Texas Campaign for the Environment Flyer 1 Texas Campaign for the Environment Flyer 2 Email to the City Council Multifamily Recycling Presentation STAFF CONTACT: Report No. 2017-087 Ethan Cox, Director of Solid Waste (940) 349-7421 Ethan.Cox(a�cityofdenton.com Texas Campaign for the Environment Flyer - Example 1 � .1 � ' ( �� ; 3 �� , �Y°1, � Y ��'�� '� r:�`` .!� . + � �f�� m� �� ' � .r � �-�r r'E %� ..' +.R , . ��' ' R�� M ` � ,'Q � . : _ � +s_ i :- '�' � � �� . �� i� � , �� -��- . .�- �-._ . , . , ��.rF� � _ ��r�.�.�� R1Aetlqi � �GdU11��ON�6.#! . �Mal►+�o�Yrard .�,. ��i' I , , �Y 1 ' ,,� _� �. r - •+f_ r_ � Y'�'' � �� Y . � � � � _ ��, �P '-a��_ Wr�fc your D�fon D��'G;afs Td�! ' '�,G�Ntcd �tGj��lin� Y'✓�,e/e We L�✓t ; NlorK /� � I • Cl..._ — �� z�� MayorChnsWarr� , � . � 2 i 5� MCKinney 5� ��!k.•�•� � Denton.l7(7620i •� r r Z �?� i YT� ralnc�l Memb?r G..�-��,-•��= •rs--- -� Co�rt[�! Member �,�% Councit Member �on GuH. D3 � Council Member��-- Csurril Mem�e. {,-��,,�� r.�',-� G• �_.� _e� �.�nrtl Me-nbAr Sa:c �a�'e' . R' -�'�F � Y.5 E MCK��nrspy Sc Den;on, 7X 76iC' • Let [he Mayor acd Co�nc � af.��,r -nd: yoc S;:ppOri rrar,ng .: turrent recyd�ng p3ar �r+cre ar*�,brt�cus. ,:en.on Shpub cons+de� a�� ng for Ze�o Was[e—o-� kee��ng up to 9095 of d+scards o.rt of �ts larv�' �: • Lec your u[y o�trals krww ;1-�a- {e:. wc.,;d �i4e r�fc!�r�� sernces }or af� aparzments and bus.n�� .-� • __ e�v eserve to re_rycie where :+-_ry I ve a�d wcrk • Let yo»r c:t offic�ats Rnnn r�a; cney shovld �tan for r�;y�ra was.F thac �s ge:�erated from [o;�struction at�d dernOl:Uw� prole[-s. �ie*Knn • �s already �ndergang a bt of rere CeveioprnerK, arid itoey r�J to s[ay ahead o` [hase iarge �ro�ects. • Tei', your cry o�fc+a�s rhat yo� are irrcere�ec �r a res�aeru,oi �.,'"'�6J5['i'b�F'J`.c��.��.YrlU^.l:3SS2 _":^ETrr,'J�4'h'f.:.`S�S .� I ! ✓. - - � - _ . - . y+�'�"'^c�. _ _'l _'` . . . • Mawe w: e �o riduae y�aq( rarc�e a!�6 adsrQss on the ie¢rr'. • ihP35c `�'�tic _ ,._ � _' . �.�� ' "f �.' � �senvironmerst.or �erowcsfeDFVll.org 4 �-�I i, �� I Texas Campaign for the Environment Flyer - Example 2 !ry r ' t� O Q �03 �M�.wrW. Dr 1?ua l.� I��w� 110� �f�Aw�wi /1� � f.r1b I76 S�sib �07 uulr ro Wpin, {x �pp� qiY4 ►k 73T1• Ibr�Mn. S%T11� TEXAS CAMPAIGN �is.�ss.sass a��.ssq�sso- na.s��.�w� f„: ENVIRONMENT Te�[ De�-rfo� G; fy o��; a.l s: Wc Necd �eGyGt�rr`g WlG,-e We L�v� # WorK When It comes to handling waste and recyding, the City of Denton is uniqueEy ppsitioned to manage its materials responsibly—as it owns a landfili, a recycling facility for res�dents, on-site mulching and composung, and facilities for recycl+ng _ building materials. Denton has a fairfy good residential recyding rate, at 389�0. '` � Flowever, 6usinesses and apartments are re�yding much iess. with far fewer ;, �roperties even offering recycling services ta their tenanis and residents. Uenton is undergoing many development d�anges—lnduding re-zoning many areas �u attract new businesses and residents. W�lh Lhese rap�d expaf�sions, Denton needs to ensure that it is developed �.ustainably, or ic runs the risk oF needing Eo construct a new landfill a[ [he expense of its taxpayers. Last year, the Den[on sanitation department created a 10-year plan [o reduce waste ar�d extend Fhe life of its landfill. This plan di[� not indude many programs that traditionally raise recyding retes, and one major pkece of the plan—mining the landfll far resources—was eompletely abandoned befare it was star[ed. Denton is �ow in a posi[ipn io reconsider �ts priorities in pianning for increased E ecycling. As the city deliberates on these prionties, il should consider programs that impact the largest areas of waste generation and publfc �nterest. Cnmmercia! businesses and development projects account for over 7p% of waste generated in Denton. �he ciry shuuld wor k nn po�icies and programs lhat would expand recycling services ia all busirtesses and apar[ments, as well as Che eonstructkon and demo4itiqn projects assooated wlth new devefopment. For neighborhoods, the city should mnsider expanding its yard waste composiirig program to include fo�d sr.raps. It is estima[ed that up to 30%of residential waste is tomprised of food scraps. Cities like San Antonio and Ausun are aiready starung to callect and compost this organic material, whlch can be soid to fertil'iae soil. A.s much as poss�ble, �enton should inc.lude its residenFs m the pianning pP a nr-w long-range recycling plan. The Gty should [onsider �inbit�ous prpgr�ms and go�ls T(�� Zeru Waste, as rt is �ositioned well to reuse and recy[iing the vast majority oF eF,e , matei ials tf iat �u c� �_urrently lrashed. IJVrite a letter to your [i[y offlcials today! texasenvironment.c�rg zerowasteD�VV.org �� , � �� i� Cox, Ethan From: Corey Troiani <corey@texasenvironment.org> Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2017 10:56 AM To: Watts, Chris; Hudspeth, Gerard; Briggs, Keely G; Duff, Don; Ryan, John; Gregory, Dalton R; Bagheri, Sara Cc: Cox, Ethan; Hurd, Tyler L Subject: Multi-family recycling resources & grassroots campaign Attachments: Public Perceptions on Recycling in Multi-Family Housing in Dallas - May 2016.pdf; Resource Recycling MF Article 1_December 2015.pdf; Resource Recycling MF Article 2 _January 2016.pdf; Resource Recycling MF Article 3_March 2016.pdf; Cascadia Consulting Group_Multifamily Programs.pdf Dear Denton City Council & Staff, This is Corey Troiani, local program director for Texas Campaign for the Environment. Our organization is excited and eager to hear recent developments on the city's pursuit of an ordinance to expand access to multi-family and commercial recycling throughout Denton. Universal recycling ordinances have been effective in a number of cities throughout Texas and the U.S. in helping reduce waste and increase resource recovery. Like most cities, the majority of Denton's waste is generated by commercial and multi-family establishments, and without good standards or requirements for providing basic recycling services, many tenants and residents are left in the lurch with no option but to trash everything they discard. I've attached some professional research from other cities on multi-family recycling. You'll see one of the reports was generated with funding from our Zero Waste project and it includes focus groups with apartment tenants and managers in Dallas. The other resources were generated by a consulting group outside of Texas and contain some good universal info for local governments on this topic. I hope you find these resources helpful and informative as you seek the best policy measures to address recycling in the city. Texas Campaign for the Environment is continuing to organize in Denton communities to build support for universal recycling. Our supporters have already written hundreds of letters to your offices—not only on this issue, but on other waste diversion programs as well. The City of Denton has undergone many recent changes in staff and leadership, including the Director of Solid Waste, which has resulted in changes to Denton's 2016 Strategic Plan for solid waste and recycling. (By the way, we congratulate your recent decision to disband the landfill mining project, an all-too-expensive and dangerous endeavor.) We believe the city's strategic recycling plan should reflect the values of the city's new leadership and the will of its citizens. In addition to our recommendation for a Universal Recycling Ordinance, we also urge you to reconsider the strategies and goals of this plan by involving residents, businesses, and community leaders in public discussion on how the city can continue to innovate and strive for a more circular economy for its resources. If Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin can set lon�-term ambitious recyclin� �oals, why can't Denton? I would be happy to provide more information about Zero Waste and local recycling policies at your request. I look forward to working with you and your staff this Winter. In the meantime, I wish you all a cozy and warm Thanksgiving Holiday with your families! Kind Regards, Corey Troiani DFW Program Director, Texas Campaign for the Environment 214-599-7840 � www.texasenvironment.orq � 3303 Lee Parkway Suite #402 Dallas, TX 75219 • • • • COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT NOVEMBER 6, 2017 COE Direction & Ob�ectives J � Committee on the Environment � Improve multi-family tenant access to recycling � Increase multi-family & commercial recycling participation � Increase material diversion �Previous Discussions � March 6, 2017 — Discussion on commercial & multi-family recycling � May 19, 2017 — Proposed strategies to increase multi-family recycling � September 11, 2017 — Provided policy overview & received COE direction Rec cl i n Ke Terms & Ke Pla ers y � y v y ;�� . :_�-.sA.� .� � }�._ � _ � � . ��. �� }+;,�,��a�}� �vLld l�aste vr �utside Haulers Tenants Rroperty Manag�ment ALL Parti�s Prop�rty Managernent Outcomes Envi ron ment Susta i na bi I it y Envi ron menta I I m pacts • Soil/Groundwater Sustainabilitv Factors • Land Use/Airspace • Air • Methane/Carbon Monoxide • Dust • Unpleasant Odors • Reduced Vegetation • Vehicle Emissions • Resources • Reduce • Recycle • Reuse • Cha ngi ng Waste Strea m 1Dp� ❑enton ArLington 87l F�isco 75� Grapevine Austin 73f 34`�� Fort 1]Uorth b1I Levcris�i ��e 2 �'o Irving � Austln � �enton Fris�o - Ir�ing - LittLe Elm FQrt- ArLir�- - Grapevine � 5�n Marcos � Le�isv�lle �7� �6 � � � 1�FU ig% �F I, 38 � � 37'� Multi-Famil Accessibilit & Current Efforts y y � Multi-Family outreach program began in late 2016 � 468 total Multi-Family complexes � 194 voluntarily participating � 64 of these are new in FY17, compared to average of 3 new per year in prior years � 41.5% participation rate � Focus on Strategic Effort beginning FY18 and beyond emphasizing � Collecting data � Targeted approach � Partner with Sustainability Com mercia l Accessi bi I it Bench ma rk y Im rovin Accessibilit p � y � Policy/Mandate � Chapter 24 Ordinance — Recycling is not required for multi-family � DDC Subchapter 13 — Recycling is not required for new development � Site Criteria Manual — Technical requirements (revetment size) � Outreach/Education � Marketing (direct/indirect) � Education � Incentivize behavior � Programs/Operations � Drop off locations � Alternative service delivery (carts vs containers) � Landfill diversion/reuse (Home Chemical Collection) � Enforcement (if direction is to pursue mandate) Staff Recom mendation Accessi bi I it y � Focus Group to Seek Multifamily Input � Challenges � Property limitations & code requirements � Tenant behavior � Financial/Operational implications � Needs & Required Support � Tenant & property staff education � Service alternatives � Mandate implications Focused a nd Strate ic Effort � Needs Assessment Sur�ey praperty Iovuners & manager� � L_ � Survey out�ide haulers Ber�chmark ather cities Hear and address citi�en cancerns �AT� Increase ac�essibiLity Dire�t mari�eting �fFa rts Targeted Education Reporting Ta r eted Ed ucation � � Multi Family Tenants/ Student Population � Targeted messaging � Multifamily Events � UNT /TWU orientation tabling (off campus living) � RAtraining � Recycling Champion/Ambassador program � Recycling Bags (drop off ready, recyclable, with messaging) � Print materials