Show All Answers

1. Did the City Council change the City's diversion rate goal?

Yes, on Feb. 21, 2017, the City Council adopted a Solid Waste Reduction, Diversion and Recycling Master Plan with a new diversion rate goal. The Mayor and staff agreed to try to set a more attainable goal than the 80% rate that was set by City Council in 2013. Staff recommended that we set a new goal, doubling where we are today, with a 40% diversion rate as the new target. The goal is to move from 20-30% diversion between 2017 - 2022 and 30-40% diversion between 2022-2027.

2. What is the city being paid for each item collected in the recycling program?

The current commodity pricing sheet can be reviewed here.

3. Where can I find information on what it costs to run the drop off centers?

Our current tracking methods do not separate curbside pickup versus drop off versus composting. Task Order 4 of the Solid Waste Reduction, Diversion, and Recycling Master Plan Scope of Work includes a cost analysis of the programs. You can view the contract and scope of work on the Master Plan web page: http://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/1907/Recycling-Master-Plan-Page. When that task has been done by the consultant, we will be glad to share the information. When the consultant has completed the cost analysis of programs, the website will be updated. Otherwise, a summary of the total costs for running the recycling programs can be found here: 2015 Recycling & Trash Collection Fund

4. What does it cost to run the curbside program?

The R.W. Beck study in 2008/2009 determined the cost for curbside recycling at $5.88 per household per year.

2015: Cost of Service per Household to provide curbside recycling is $5.00. Net Cost of Service per Household is $3.59.

5. What is the revenue we see from each program separately?

Revenue for each program involves detailed analysis because the curbside, apartment, and public space container programs are collected cumulatively while the drop offs, paper dumpster, commercial cardboard and commercial glass are collected separately.

Drop off revenue: $56,909
Curbside revenue: $265,946 estimated

6. How were the households for the single stream pilot selected?

The households were selected based on geographic proximity to our city facilities and Harmon’s recycling operations, using the existing collection day (Thursday), and a diversity of household types.

7. When has the public been invited to provide input?

The first public meeting was held on April 6, 2015 with 40 participants; subsequently 496 citizens completed a month-long survey. The public also had an opportunity to participate in the Environmental Action Committee discussion in June, 2015 and a Ward 1 public input meeting was held at the request of Council members on February 4, 2016.

8. What other cities use the single stream program that Fayetteville might emulate?

There are many cities across the country that have successfully implemented single stream programs and invested in new technologies to reduce contamination. One such program is in Boulder, CO.

9. What educational efforts are in place and how much does the city spend on education regarding its recycling program?

The marketing and education budget for recycling is $120,000 per year and is paid for from the Recycling and Trash Collection operating budget. The Recycle Something campaign recently won the state of Arkansas ENVY award (Environmental Stewardship Award); the campaign includes educational outreach focused on behavior change through printed materials and public service announcements that reach all citizens through media channels as well as hands on education for citizens and students of 20 hours per week via Boston Mountain Solid Waste District. Local media outlets frequently run updates such as the one recently produced by University of Arkansas Broadcast Journalism students.

10. How much contamination is in Fayetteville’s current program?

Contamination in the City’s existing curb sort recycling system is very low. But, the City’s current trash stream has a 29 percent contamination rate. That’s right, according to the City’s January 2015 Waste Audit, 29 percent of what Fayetteville residents and businesses throw away could be recycled in the City’s current recycling program. That equals nearly 12,000 tons per year of materials (metal cans, glass containers, #1 & 2 plastics, newspaper, cardboard and other paper) that are being sent to the landfill because they are not collected through the City’s existing curb sort recycling system. This is one of the primary reasons why the City is piloting alternate collection methods. We want to collect these recyclable materials, reduce the amount of recyclables that are contaminating our trash stream and stop sending so much material that could be readily recycled to the landfill.