With more and more cities setting lofty recycling goals or striving for “zero-waste” status, one idea always seems to get passed around to hit the magic numbers: the mixed waste processing facility.
This concept goes by several names, from dirty MRF (material recovery facility) to all-in-one bin, but the explanation is pretty simple. Households are given one bin in which to put all nonhazardous items from their house, including garbage, recyclables and yard waste.
In a way, this is actually embracing the past, as curbside recycling didn’t even exist until 1980. Before MRFs were built to sort recyclabe materials, it was up to solid waste staff and/or garbage truck drivers to sort recyclables out of the garbage.
The all-in-one bin idea has been explored by several cities, including Houston and Indianapolis, but we’ve yet to see a successful large city implementation in the U.S. So, let’s look at some pros and cons of the dirty MRF.
Pro: Less Money Spent on Recycling Education
There’s no standard when it comes to how much a city will spend to educate on proper recycling, as cities with low recycling rates usually need to spend more. But there’s no doubt that cities spend money on recycling education.
Your city may send out a recycling flyer or post ads at bus stops and on highway billboards, and all of these efforts are designed to increase participation in recycling. With an all-in-one bin, the only consumer participation needed is to not throw in hazardous materials like paint and batteries.
Con: Increased Contamination
Studies have shown that mixed waste processing facilities don’t divert a lot of waste, averaging between 10 and 30 percent recovered for recycling. When you consider the current U.S. recycling rate is 33 percent, this leaves a lot to be desired.
The biggest reason for the low amount of recyclables collected is contamination, specifically with paper. While it’s easy to rinse off bottles and cans that come into contact with coffee grounds or diapers from the garbage, the paper recycling market requires clean and dry material.
Pro: Reduced Collection Costs
Single-stream recycling requires two different collection trucks, and then a third for organic waste collection. Some cities even collect garbage and recycling on different days.
One truck collecting everything means fewer miles driven and less gas used, and also saves on the costs of collection. It can cost over $200 per ton to pick up recyclables at the curb.
Con: Not Taking Advantage of Changed Perspectives on Recycling
There are plenty of studies coming out showing that millennials are environmentally conscious and willing to take the time to properly recycle. The all-in-one bin system goes against that mind-set, because people can’t feel the sense of satisfaction from recycling if all their waste is going in the same bin.
Cities are now starting recycling education in schools, creating an even younger generation of potential recyclers. Tomorrow’s consumers will likely view recycling as more of a responsibility than a burden.
To read full story, visit http://earth911.com/business-policy/all-in-one-waste-collection/.