Chapter 7.80
SOLID WASTE RECYCLING
Sections:
7.80.010 Purpose.
7.80.020 Definitions.
7.80.030 Services to be provided.
7.80.040 Recipients of the services.
7.80.050 Reporting of proposed rates.
7.80.060 Recycling program monitoring and reporting.
7.80.070 Changes in provision of recycling services.
7.80.080 Reserved.
7.80.090 Mandatory separation of recyclable materials and yard waste from trash.
7.80.100 Use of existing recycling collectors, processors and markets.
7.80.110 Provision of collection containers for recyclables and yard waste by multifamily residences.
7.80.120 Implementation dates.
7.80.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this subsection is to define levels of city wide recycling services which shall be made available to all residential dwellings and commercial establishments in areas serviced by WUTC certificated waste haulers operating in the city of Edmonds.
7.80.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter:
A. “Haulers” means those corporate entities currently, or in the future, certified by the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission to collect trash in the city of Edmonds. As of March 1990, the three haulers are Lynnwood Disposal, Sound Disposal and Northwest Garbage Company, Inc.
B. “Nonmultifamily residences” means those residential dwellings containing four or less dwelling units.
C. “Yard waste” means grass clippings, shrubbery and tree or trimmings therefrom, and other organic solid waste resulting from horticulture, gardening, landscaping, or other similar uses.
D. “Multifamily” means those residential dwellings containing five or more dwellings units.
E. “Commercial” means any nonresidential establishments which are not defined above.
7.80.030 Services to be provided.
Each waste collector that services the city of Edmonds shall be responsible for making the following recycling services available to their operation areas within the city:
A. Collection of the following materials from the curb when properly set out on the designated collection day for collection by the designated hauler:
1. Old newspaper;
2. Mixed waste paper, including old corrugated containers (cardboard);
3. Aluminum food and beverage containers;
4. Tin-plated steel food and beverage containers;
5. Glass food and beverage containers;
6. PETE #1 (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic.
Other recyclable materials, such as plastic or waste oil, may be collected on a continuing basis, at the option of the city when reasonable costs for including specified additional materials are allocated to residents receiving the added service.
B. Collection shall be biweekly from each nonmultifamily residence, preferably on the same day as trash collection, unless the hauler can demonstrate to the city that an alternative collection schedule can result in the same or higher levels of participation and recovery.
C. Processing and marketing of all materials collected shall be provided, such that no more than 10 percent by weight of the collected material may be landfilled, unless the county and the WUTC, in recognition of special circumstances, accept such material.
D. A recycling container to hold the materials designated for collection shall be made available to each nonmultifamily residence. Other customer classes will work with the haulers to identify container options. Options should be made available to customers to provide their own containers with a commensurate reduction in rates.
E. Collection of yard waste from nonmultifamily, when fully phased in, shall be made available at least biweekly from the months of March through November, unless the hauler can demonstrate to the city that an alternative collection schedule can result in the same or higher levels of participation and recovery.
F. Promotional strategies shall be employed by the haulers to reasonably and regularly inform and notify each eligible residence of the availability of recyclables collection service and of appropriate actions and schedules for preparing material for set out.
G. The city shall undertake a public education and awareness program utilizing funds from the Snohomish County recycling grant. The city shall where possible reinforce the efforts of private citizens and groups to promote public awareness and environmental consciousness.
H. The hauler shall develop a total rate structure for garbage and recycling which provides economic incentives for customers to recycle and reduce total waste in accordance with state and county goals. Nonmultifamily customers shall be charged a single inclusive rate for garbage and recyclables and a separate rate for the collection of yard waste. Multifamily customers shall be charged the single, all inclusive rate for garbage and recycling service. Provisions shall be made by the haulers to give credit to customers who can demonstrate that they do not produce any recyclables.
I. The city shall adopt administrative policies and procedures which maximize its own recycling of paper and other potentially recyclable items. Also, where practicable, the city shall attempt to utilize recyclable paper and other recyclable commodities so as to provide markets for collected recyclables.
J. The haulers shall take measures to reduce all possible costs to Edmonds customers of the collection of recyclables and yard waste. This shall include, but not be limited to, provisions of small trash containers and a commensurate reduced rate, provision of alternatives to providing a toter for yard waste (such as allowing customers to use their own containers), credits for composting. [Ord. 2949 § 1, 1993; Ord. 2901 § 1, 1992].
7.80.040 Recipients of the services.
A. The recycling services shall be made available by the haulers to all nonmultifamily residences within the city that receive and are billed for residential trash collection services.
B. In addition, the services shall be offered by the haulers to all other residents of nonmultifamily dwellings by the haulers through direct notification and an invitation to subscribe for the service. Those residents that subscribe for the service shall receive it at a rate to be established by the WUTC.
C. Multifamily dwellings and commercial establishments are recognized to present unique circumstances which may initially preclude the selection of a single, uniform approach to the collection of recyclables and yard waste. In recognition of such circumstances the haulers are urged to work with representatives of this customer class to develop alternatives for collection of recyclables and, where practical, yard waste, and for promoting high levels of participation by this customer class.
7.80.050 Reporting of proposed rates.
Prior to seeking rate adjustments from the WUTC, the haulers shall provide the Edmonds city council, through the community services director, a complete report on the proposed rates and any supporting documentation which the director might require.
7.80.060 Recycling program monitoring and reporting.
The haulers shall provide the city with reports on the status of the recycling program. These reports shall be provided at least on a yearly basis or at a more frequent request by the city, with due notice and time for preparation. Such reports shall include, but not be limited to, rates of participation, amount of recyclables and yard waste produced by appropriate categories, volumes, and tonnages. Logs of customer complaints and comments, and any other reasonable elements, may be requested by the city. [Ord. 2901 § 2, 1992].
7.80.070 Changes in provision of recycling services.
A. It is recognized that the experience of the first year will require evaluation by the haulers and by the city in order to identify needs for potential changes to the program defined in this chapter. It is the intent of the city council to formally review the programs of the two haulers after approximately one year of operation.
B. The city council may from time to time review the recycling program in regard to participation rates, customer satisfaction, and comparative customer rates, and may exercise its authority in considering changes to how recycling services are provided in the city of Edmonds.
7.80.080 Reserved.
7.80.090 Mandatory separation of recyclable materials and yard waste from trash.
A. Residents shall not discard yard waste together with trash and shall make it available for recovery and composting as soon as yard waste collection and composting services are provided, or shall otherwise dispose of such wastes, through composting or otherwise, on their own property.
B. It is the goal of the city to evaluate the program after approximately one year of operation and to assess the advisability of prohibiting the discarding of recyclable materials together with trash. While this step may be necessary in the future to meet the goals of the state legislation and the comprehensive solid waste management plan, it shall not be taken without further evaluation and input from the public and the haulers.
7.80.100 Use of existing recycling collectors, processors and markets.
Haulers are encouraged to contract with existing recycling operators for source separated collection services in those areas where such service is currently being provided. In arranging for processing and marketing of materials collected, haulers are encouraged to coordinate with existing processors and markets and with other collection programs in order to obtain consistent and high value for materials delivered.
7.80.110 Provision of collection containers for recyclables and yard waste by multifamily residences.
A. All new multifamily residences are required to provide facilities (containers and space for their deployment) for the collection of recyclables. Such facilities may include either centralized or individual containers. The city with its haulers shall develop prototype container or system configurations which meet the intent of this chapter. Any facilities required to promote recycling will be subject to the existing requirements in the Edmonds Community Development Code as far as zoning and design standards.
B. All existing multifamily residences will also be required to make provisions for the collection of recyclables. It is recognized that in some instances this may require changes to approved site plans including but not limited to common areas of the building site and parking areas. It is also recognized that the provision of recyclable collection facilities in existing multifamily residences may also create violations of certain parts of the zoning chapter. The staff will review proposed facilities for collection of recyclables and/or yard waste, and will make a staff decision on whether a more formal review by the architectural design board is necessary. Such staff decisions shall be staff decisions rendered and appealable in the same manner as if they were Type II decisions (see Chapter 20.01 ECDC). In the event that a required parking space needs to be utilized for a collection facility, it shall still be counted toward meeting the parking requirements in the Edmonds Community Development Code. [Ord. 3736 § 7, 2009; Ord. 2901 § 3, 1992].
7.80.120 Implementation dates.
The desired goals for setting dates for the availability of the above described services in the city are as follows:
A. Source separated collection of recyclables for nonmultifamily residences – August 1, 1990.
B. Collection of yard waste from nonmultifamily residences – August 1, 1990.
C. Collection of recyclables from multifamily residences and recyclables from commercial customers shall initially be made available on customer request to the haulers, and shall be done on an incremental and phased-in basis. A regular program shall not be required until the haulers and representatives of this customer class jointly develop alternatives and present them to the city council no later than March 1, 1991. [Ord. 2901 § 4, 1992; Ord. 2775 § 1, 1990].