SSC Annual Report 2001RECEr"ED
F E B 12 2002
CITY OF NII';RIDIAN
Sanitary Services Inc.
2001 Annual Report to the City of Meridian
Prepared For:
Mayor Robert D. Corrie
Councilperson Tammy DeWeerd, Chairman
Councilman Keith Bird
Councilman Bill Nary
Councilperson Cherie McCandliss
• Introduction
This annual report presents statistics on what has occurred in the area of solid waste in
the City of Meridian in 2001. We have worked closely with city staff on a number of
issues and in this report we will discuss the progress made in 2001 as well as present
some ideas as to new programs and initiatives in 2002.
This report is organized by the following types of collection systems:
• residential collection
• commercial collection
• roll off collection
recycling services
We also discuss community involvement issues and new program implementation and
future issues.
The bar graph below shows the total waste generation in pounds in Meridian since
1999. In 2000 there were approximately 64.6 million pounds of waste generated, and in
2001 approximately 74.3 million pounds were generated, a 15% increase over the prior
year. Per capita waste generation was 5.5 pounds per person per day which is slightly
higher than the national average of 4.62 (USEPA, 1999.) It is important to note that of
the 74.3 million pounds generated, approximatey 5.5 million pounds were recycled
• through various residential and commercial programs that will be discussed later in this
report.
•
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•
Residential Collection
Services
Sanitary Services provides unlimited, weekly solid waste collection to the residents of
the City of Meridian. The number of residential homes serviced has increased steadily
from 9,272 at the end of 1997 to 12,120 at the end of 2001. In the prior year 670 new
homes were added which is a growth rate of 5.9 percent. The rate structure for
unlimited weekly collection was $9.50 per residence per month for the first nine months
of 2001. In October the rate was increased to $9.80 per month based on the change in
the Consumer Price Index. The optional toter cart program introduced in 1998
continues to grow. By the end of 2001 there were 4,685 toters in use as compared to
the end of 2000 when there were 4,160 in use. We will distribute toters to homeowners
in Meridian as requested.
Residential Homes Serviced
13
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L _ _ - Dec-97 Dec-98 Dec-99 Dec-00 Dec^01 I
__ --- -__...----- -----------
Equipment
Four, 1998 International trucks with 25-yard McNeilus rear-load compactor bodies
provide service to the residential accounts. These vehicles were new in 1997 and were
modified in 1998 with hydraulic tipping units to service 95-gallon toter carts. This
equipment remained on a 20-day maintenance cycle throughout the year. There are
two bads-up trucks available in the case of breakdown or increased service needs.
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• Waste Generation Rates
In 2001, $148,236 in landfill fees were paid to Ada County for disposal of residential
waste from Meridian. This is equivalent to 33,353,100 pounds of waste for the year,
7.75 pounds per house per day, and 2.58 pounds of residential waste per person per
day. All of these categories were essentially equal to 2000 statistics as you can see in
the table below.
1998 1999 2000 2001
Disposal Fees paid for
Residential Waste $ gg,485 $ 136,660 $ 136,445 $ 148,236
Total Pounds Discarded 27,784,537 30,748,500 30,700,125 33,353,100
Pounds per house per day
discarded 7.61 8.10 7.55 7.75
Pounds per erson per day 2.54 2.70 2.52 2.58
Landfill disposal rates remained unchanged in 2000 and the total amount paid for
disposal was approximately ten percent greater than in 2000 with a concurrent increase
in total weight.
•
•
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Commercial Collection
Services
Sanitary Services provides at least once a week collection to each commercial business
in Meridian. The frequency of collection and the container size are determined by the
waste generation characteristics of each business. Numbers of commercial accounts
are listed in the table below:
Year Number of commercial accounts at end of ear
1997 250
1998 401
1999 461
2000 550
2001 627
Commercial account growth has been 14% in the past year and 18.8% annualized over
a 3 year period. Commercial customer rates were unchanged for the first nine months
of 2000 and then were adjusted in accordance with our conVact effective October 2001.
Equipment
Commercial acxounts are collected using two front-loading trucks and a single back up
truck. Commercial collection equipment consists of a 1999 Volvo WX64 with a 40
cubic yard Wittke body and a 1995 Volvo with a 40 cubic yard Heil body. A third truck,
another 1995 Volvo with a 40 cubic yard Heil body, was added in 2000 as a back up.
Waste Generation Rates
•
Based on landfill fees paid for disposal of commercial waste, there was 18.5 million
pounds of commercial waste collected from businesses in Meridian in 2001 which is
approximatey equal to 86.4 pounds per business per day.
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•
Roll Off Refuse Collection
Services
Roll off services are provided to permanent accounts that have compactors, or roll off
boxes, and temporary accounts that utilize 20, 30 or 40 cubic yard boxes. Temporary
containers typically are used for construction debris during home or business building or
renovation.
By the end of 2001 there were 47
permanent commercial accounts,
a 12 percent increase over 2000.
Temporary account activity was
steady throughout the year with a
seasonal high in activity in the
summer months during the
construction season.
Commercial customer rates were
unchanged for the first nine
months of 2001 and then were
adjusted in accordance with our
contract effective October 2001.
Equipment
Permanent Roll Off Accounts
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Dec-97 Deo-98 Deo-99 Dec-00 Deo-01
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We utilized four roll off trucks in 2001. A 1999 International, a 1995 Volvo, a 1989
White/GMC, and a 2001 Volvo roll off truck was purchased to meet increasing demand.
Each truck is equipped with a cable hoist system.
Waste Generation Rates
Waste generation rates fell
dramatically in this category in
2001. Generation rates increased
by 10 percent which is much less
than the 47 percent experienced in
2000. Based on landfill fees paid
for disposal of roll off system waste,
there were 17,034,200 pounds of
material collected from permanent
and temporary commercial
accounts that utilize roll off boxes or
containers.
Ro ll Off Waste Generation 1
18000000
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1s9s 2000 2001
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•
Recycling Services
Residential Recycling Services
Residential curbside recycling that began in October, 2000 completed it first full year in
2001. Free programs to residents of Meridian continued and included used oil
collection, fall leaf collection, phone book recycling, and Christmas tree collection. In
conjunction with the residential recycling program, the household hazardous waste
collection frequency was increased to a monthly basis.
Curbside Recvclina Collection
In 2001, the total weights of material collected by month is shown in the graph below.
Residential Curbside Recycling - 2001
100
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m 80 "'° '~
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4.
-
a 40
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Jan- Feb- Mar- Apr- May- Jun- Jul- Aug- Sep- Oct- Now Dec-
01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01
Month
The total weight of material collected in the residential curbside collection program was
slightly over 2 million pounds which is approximately equal to 20 pounds per
participating house per month. Participation in the program was steady throughout the
year at approximately 70%. This program diverts approximately 6 percent of the
residential waste stream. A dip in participation can be seen for September, which is
directly attributable to the September 11 attacks on America.
The value of the commodities collected throughout the year equaled $29,228.32. After
subtracting the amount to conduct the household hazardous waste collection the net
amount provided to the City of Meridian was $ 21,145.63.
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•
•
•
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program
Commodity revenue from residential recycling funded monthly household hazardous
waste collection in 2001. Collections are aMrays on the fourth Tuesday of the month.
There was no collection event in December of 2001 because the collection day
coincided with Christmas Day. Sanitary Services contracts with MSE Environmental
Inc. of Camarillo, California to conduct the events.
Household Hazardous Waste
Collected
~ 20,000 -
15,000 -~--
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~
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lsss zooo 2001
wastes that were collected. Without this donation it is likely that the cost of the program
would be too prohibitive to conduct.
Total weights collected in
1999, 2000, and 2001 are
indicated in the bar graph at
right. The total weight of
material collected rose to
more than 19,000 pounds, a
3.1 percent increase year
over year. The number of
cars serviced in these events
reached a record high of 425.
Sanitary Services receives
numerous positive phone
calls about this program from
the citizens of Meridian. It is
important to recognize that
the Ada County
Commissioners donated all
of the disposal costs for the
Phone Book Recycling
Annually, Sanitary Services donates all collection costs to complete recycling of Owest,
Impact Directories and Mcl_oed phone books in Meridian. In November 2001, four, 6
cubic yard dumpsters were located at the Jackson's Texaco locations within the City
limits of Meridian. Books were collected periodically as the dumpsters were filled and
the books were delivered to Western Recycling for processing. This is the fourth year in
which Sanitary Service Inc. has participated in the program.
Used Oil Collection
Residents are allowed to place up to two gallons of used oil per week at the curbside for
collection on their normal trash collection day. The used oil is poured into storage tanks
on the trucks and at the end of the day pumped into a 500-gallon storage tank located
at our shop at 722 W. Franklin. The used oil is collected by Thermo Fluids for energy
recovery.
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• In 2001, volumes by month were steady with seasonal peaks in the Spring and Fall.
Total volume collected during the year was 3,669 gallons and the total volume collected
since the inception of the program is 9,643 gallons.
Used Oil Collection by Month
soo
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Fall Leaf Collection
• Calendar year 2001 marked the third year of Fall Leaf collection. Residential
customers were required to bag their leaves in large Kraft bags and put them at the curb
for collection. Residents were not allowed to place them in open top garbage cans this
year. In the past iwo years the use of open top garbage cans has caused confusion
and has resulted in missed waste collection in some cases. Therefore, this year all
residents were asked to use only large Kraft paper bags. The leaves were collected in
a separate vehicle and were transported to the Ada County landfill where they were
milled into compost. There were no disposal fees charged by Ada County for this
material. More than 1,540 bags (257 cubic yards) of leaves were collected from 280
homes in 2001. This was more than a 50 percent increase in the volume of leaves
collected as compared with 2000.
Christmas Tree RecvGing
During the week of January 7, 2002, Christmas trees were collected for recycling. All
trees were collected in a separate vehicle from residential solid waste. Approximately
2,400 trees were delivered to the wood chipping operation at the Ada County Landfill
where they were chipped and shipped off site for cattle bedding. There were no
disposal fees charged by Ada County for this material. Participation in the program
increased 6.7% from the prior year.
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• Commercial Recycling Services
Cardboard and wood wastes are both currently recycled from businesses in Meridian.
Businesses that recycle gain financially through reduced solid waste disposal fees.
Cardboard
Compacted Cardboard
Commercial accounts that segregate cardboard into dedicated compactor units include
Fred Meyer, RC Willey, Winco, and Office Depot. These compactor boxes are
transferred and unloaded at Western Recycling on Cole Road. In 2001 there was
12,396 cubic yards of compacted recyclable cardboard diverted from the landfill. This is
equivalent to 3,346,920 pounds or about 1,670 tons of cardboard. The value of this
material is remunerated to the generator of the cardboard.
Loose Cardboard
Sanitary Services provides cardboard recycling in large roll off boxes to new commercial
accounts that choose to segregate cardboard during the time when their shelves are
being stocked prior to opening. In 2001, 2,065 cubic yards or about 75 tons of loose
• cardboard was diverted from the landfill from these new commercial acx:ounts.
Late in 2001 Sanitary Services began routine collection of commercial cardboard in 3
cubic yard dumpsters at select commercial accounts throughout the City. This program
allows businesses that generate sign cant amounts of cardboard but don't have
enough to justify a dedicated compactor the ability to recycle cardboard. A reduced rate
for commercial accounts participating in the program was approved by the city council
effective October 1, 2001.
Wood Waste
During the past year 1,565 cubic yards of wood waste were diverted from the landfill; a
9 percent increase in volume over the 1,440 cubic yards collected in 2000. Wood waste
is transferred to the landfill where 'rf is milled in a tub grinder and used for cattle bedding.
The wood waste is collected at commercial businesses such as Consolidated
Freightways, Jabil Circuit, and Yellow Freight, in a 20 or 30-yard roll off box.
Jabil Circuit
Jabil Circuit recycles Integrated Circuit tubes and reels from their manufacturing facility
in Meridian. Although there is no cemmodity value to the material, Jabil realizes a cost
benefd ftom segregation of the material through avoided disposal costs. In 2001, 810
loose cubic yards of this material were recycled.
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Community Involvement
Sanitary Services is very privileged to be part of the community of Meridian. We feel
that it is important to give back to the community that makes us successful. Below are
listed some of the organizations and functions that we supported with cash or service
donations in 2001:
American Diabetes Association
Cherry Plaza Festival of Wreaths
Friends of Meridian Parks
Habitat for Humanity
Lions Club Rodeo
Meridian Babe Ruth Baseball
Meridian Chamber of Commerce- Chili Feed and Pancake Feed
Meridian Chamber of Commerce- Courtesy cans emptied once per week throughout
downtown.
Meridian Churches -donated collection services for events at many churches.
Meridian Dairy Days
• Meridian Downtown Merchants Association -Scarecrow Festival
Meridian Education Foundation
Meridian Fire Department -Salmon Feed
Meridian Boy Scouts
Meridian High School Girls Soccer Program
Meridian Holiday Parade and 4"' of July Parade
Meridian Optimist Club
Meridian City (all departments) -Donated collection services
Meridian Rotary Club -Rake the town
Meridian Rangers American Legion Baseball
Meridian Senior Association
Meridian Soroptimists
McLoed, Impact and Qwest Dex -phone book recycling
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
P.A.L. Soccer Association
•
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• New Program Implementation and Future Issues
Alternative Fuel -Biodiesel Program
Sanitary Services will be participating in a pilot program to utilize Biodiesel fuel in six
vehicles beginning in February or March of 2002. Biodiesel (B20) is a mixture of 20%
refined vegetable oil and 80% diesel. The vegetable oil is typically soy bean oil or
canola oil that has had the glycerine removed. The Idaho Department of Water
Resources (IDWR) has funding available to pay the increased cost ($0.15 - $0.20 per
gallon) of the fuel for approximately six months. After the funding runs out we will likely
continue to use Biodiesel assuming we can site a new facility with fueling capabilities.
Some of the reasons we want to use this fuel include:
1. Upcoming Federal rules require that diesel fuel have reduced sulfur content
by 2006. Biodiesel meets these new rules now.
2. Emissions are reduced 20 to 30% for all categories of air pollutants with the
exception on NOx, which has about a 2% increase. Less emissions reduces
the impact on children within the community who have been shown to be
particularly susceptible to diesel exhaust. Additionally, the Treasure Valley is
increasing in nonattainment for a variety of air pollutants and using this fuel
will reduce most of these emissions.
• 3.
4. The fuel should not reduce the performance of our fleet.
It is safer to store and use than diesel. It is nonhazardous and is less
flammable.
5. Use of the fuel supports the agricuRural industry of the state and decreases
our dependence upon foreign oil imports.
6. No retrofitting of our equipment will be required.
Sanitary Services is anxious to begin using this new fuel and is willing to share any
knowledge we gain during the program with other city departments.
New Shop/Office Facility with Transfer Station
With the tremendous growth of the City of Meridian we require a new shop and office.
Our current location at 722 W. Franklin is not adequate to meet the needs of our
expanding fleet from a service or logistics standpoint. We require a finro-bay shop and
more area to park our trucks and fuel tanks for Biodiesel.
Additionally, with the potential closure of the Ada County Landfill within the next 5 to 10
years the City may need a transfer facility to transport waste to a future disposal site
that may be many miles away. The transfer facility would be a large building located,
we hope, on the same property as the new shop and office. Our collection vehicles
would drop off their waste loads when full within the confines of the building and the
waste would be transferred into a larger semi-truck trailer that would then be driven to a
• disposal site. This would allow the collection trucks to be more efficient, thereby
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• avoiding cost increases to consumers, and would allow for the competitive bidding of
disposal costs so that we would not be at mercy of a single disposal site or a transfer
station owned by another entity.
We are currently working with a developer to determine if the property located
immediately South of the City's wastewater treatment plant off of Ten Mile Road would
be a suitable location. The property developer has applied for annexation and zoning of
the properly and at this time there has been no determination 'rf the property will be
zoned Light Industrial (IL) or as a future city park location as indicated in the current
comprehensive plan. If the Council determines that the property will not be zoned IL we
will work with city staff to determine other potential locations inside and outside
Meridian.
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