A presentation by Kessler Consulting's Don Ross on Solid Waste Collection in Florida.

1. Solid Waste in Florida
The Tide is Changing
Don Ross, Project Manager
Kessler Consulting, Inc.
April 5, 2012

2. The Tide is Changing
The old thoughts and attitudes about solid waste
management in Florida are being washed away;
replaced by a surge of new ideas and the recognition that
we are actually managing resources.
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3. The New Normal
Local governments and solid waste operations throughout
Florida are forced to adapt to the “new normal.” What
does this mean?
• Tighter budgets (doing more with less)
• Less material to collect
•Economic downturn
•Increased recycling: residential & commercial
• Waste Resource management
•Cultivating public/private partnerships
•Innovative contracting
•Meet 75% recycling goal
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4. The New Normal
What changes are being made in Florida to
adapt to the “new normal?”
• Automation
• Single Stream Recycling
• Once-per-week Garbage Collection Frequency
• Recycling Incentive Programs
• New Technologies
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5. Automated Collection – What is it?
• Standardized wheeled carts
• Collection vehicles with robotic arms
• Driver remains inside the vehicle at all times
• Collection process is controlled remotely
• Manual collection is eliminated
• Process takes less than 10 seconds per stop
“You’re not earning if
you’re not turning!”
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6. Automated Collection – Benefits
For the Operation For the Residents
• Improved safety • Convenient and easy
• Reduced employee injuries • Safer & more maneuverable
and worker’s comp. claims • Higher capacity containers
• Improved collection efficiency • Hinged lids contain odors
• Single driver • Reduced rodent problems
• Increased productivity • Cleaner neighborhoods
• Preserves aging workforce • Eliminates container costs
• Cleaner neighborhoods
• Reduced rodent problems
• Helps to limit overages
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7. Automated Collection – Safety
• Rear load collection comes with inherent danger
• Automated collection provides the safest work
environment for solid waste collectors
• Eliminate safety issues associated with manual pickups
$80,000.00
$70,000.00
Automated System Conversion begins 2001
75% Decrease
$60,000.00 in Cost
$50,000.00 Workers Comp (Residential)
$40,000.00
Workers Comp (Division wide)
$30,000.00
$20,000.00 Log. (Workers Comp
(Residential))
$10,000.00
$-
Source: City of Dunedin, FL
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8. Automation is Safer: Florida Examples
• Brandon, FL – 2009: Solid waste worker was killed after being
struck from behind while manually loading refuse into the rear of
the truck.
• Dunnellon, FL – 2009: Solid waste worker was killed after being
struck from behind while manually loading refuse into the rear of
the truck.
• Cape Coral, FL – 2010: Solid waste worker was killed after being
struck from behind while manually loading refuse into the rear of
the truck.
• Brevard County, FL – 2011: One solid waste worker was killed
and another was critically injured after being struck from behind
while both men manually loaded refuse into the rear of the truck.
What do these accidents have in common?
All of these workers were
performing manual collection.
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9. Automated Collection – Video
“The only way to pick up garbage.”
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10. KCI Research throughout Florida
• 79 largest Cities and Counties
• Populations of 48,000 or more
• Approximately 5.4 million households
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11. Automated vs. Manual Service
Total Residents Served in Study Area Unincorporated County Residents
5,814,095 3,470,908 2,755,483
47% 6,612,519 56% 44%
53% City Residents
2,343,187
38%
3,857,036
62%
Automated
Manual
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12. Single Stream Recycling – What is it?
Commingled collection
of all recyclables (fiber
and containers) in a
non-compartmentalized
collection vehicle,
which then are
processed as collected.
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13. Single Stream Recycling – Benefits
• Increased tonnage 50-100% Increase in Tons
100% Increase in Set Outs
• Increased participation
• Increased revenues
• Increased convenience for residents
• Standard single-compartment vehicles are
used (fleet flexibility)
• Additional materials can be included
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14. Single Stream Recycling + RFID
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
• Asset Management
• Data Tracking & Measurement
• Participation
• Productivity
• Efficiency Improvements
• Route Visualization & Intelligence
• Targeted Education/Outreach Efforts
Solid Waste is the 5th utility
along with electricity, gas, water, and sewer.
RFID is the meter!
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15. Processing Revolution
Multi-StreamSingle Stream
• Two new single stream MRFs in Tampa Bay.
Republic Services – Lakeland, FL
Processing Capacity: 10,000 tons per month
Waste Management – Tampa, FL
Processing Capacity: 10,000 tons per month
A competition has begun for your tonnage.
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16. The Result?
More recycling = less garbage to collect!
Time to consider reducing pickup frequency
to once per week....
1x > 2x
....the residents will make the decision for you.
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17. Once Weekly MSW Service – Benefits
• Reduces heavy truck traffic in neighborhoods
• Promotes recycling
• Reduces CO2 emissions
• Reduces operating expenditures
• Could enable service fee reduction to residents
• Increases diversion
• Easy to implement with strong recycling programs
• Less wear and tear on area roads
• Same routes and trucks
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18. Once vs. Twice per Week MSW
Total Residents Served in Study Area Unincorporated County Residents
3,847,340 2,096,837
27% 27%
10,180,916
City Residents 5,731,196
73%
73%
1,750,503
28%
1x/wk
4,449,720 2x/wk
72%
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19. Other Trends: Recycling Incentive Programs
Coupon-Based:
• Utilizes RFID technology to track and reward
individual recycling efforts.
• Rewards are offered by local and national business
in the form of coupons.
• Value of rewards corresponds to quantity of
materials recycled.
Utility Bill Credits:
• Utilizes RFID technology to track and reward
individual recycling efforts.
• Rewards are offered in the form of credits on
monthly utility bills.
• Value of utility bill credits corresponds to individual
household recycling efforts.
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20. Other Trends: Technology
Drivers: The Eyes on the Street!
Tools for Today
• Hopper Cameras
• Eyes-forward
Collection Systems
• Data Collection
Tools for Tomorrow
• RFID Tracking
• Geographical Information
Systems - ArcGIS
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21. Observation Reports
• Collection/observation timestamp & cart serial number
• Customizable reports
• Pinpoint customers for targeted education
• Exportable to Excel / Mail Merge, etc.
• Can integrate with GIS on a parcel level
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22. Coming Attractions – Stay Tuned!
Organics Recycling Statewide Tons (2009)
• Food Waste
3,767,602 4,599,305
• Institutional 11% 14%
• Commercial Other
• Recycling
6,691,890
Residential 20%
Organics
• Biosolids 13,025,303
40%
C&D
Special Waste
• Other Organics 4,918,546
15%
We must manage organics
to get to 75%
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23. Thank you!
Don Ross
Project Manager
Kessler Consulting, Inc.
dross@kesconsult.com