Single-stream recycling generating more tonnage

Two months into Fairfield?s new recycling program, Waste Management collected a record 65.04 tons of recyclable materials in December ? a 132 percent increase from Fairfield?s monthly 28-ton average.

In November, Fairfield recycled 46.93 tons ? a 67 percent increase. If Fairfield were to maintain a 46.93-ton collection rate, the city?s annual tonnage of recycled material would increase to 563 tons. According to Fairfield sustainability coordinator Scott Timm, that figure is equivalent to 83 cars permanently taken off the road, or nearly 500 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent not released into the atmosphere.

?Fairfield has been a leader in recycling participation since we began the curbside program nearly 20 years ago,? said Fairfield Mayor Ed Malloy. ?I am not surprised to see the strong showing for this next level of community participation. Our resolve as a community to conserve resources and protect the environment is a strong driver for this success. It is one of the foundations of our sustainability efforts.?

Fairfield?s Green Commission has set goals for a 75 percent increase in processed recyclables, with a corresponding 25 percent decrease in waste trucked to the landfill by December 2012.

When first introduced, the single-stream program was met with mixed reactions from residents ? mostly due to the much larger 96-gallon recycling bins. After two months of use, Timm has received reports of residents recycling for the first time, or recycling additional material they previously had thrown into the trash.

Fairfield City Hall is now recycling enough paper to fill the bin weekly.

?The new program has the potential to reduce [residents?] contribution to the SEMCO landfill,? Timm said. He said the significant increase in recycling indicates materials are being diverted from the landfill.

However, tonnage reports from the Southeast Iowa Multi-County Solid Waste Agency landfill are inconclusive this early into the recycling program. In October 2010, SEMCO reported 380.83 tons of residential solid waste from Fairfield. In November 2010, Fairfield?s residential solid waste totaled 321.52 tons. In November 2009, SEMCO reported 251.92 tons of residential solid waste from Fairfield.

SEMCO manager Bill Sloop said tonnage rates naturally fluctuate, especially with the seasons.

Carrie Spencer, spokesperson for Waste Management of Iowa, said a residence?s trash typically decreases by 5 pounds per week as recycling increases. She called it natural evolution as households put more and more materials into their recycling bins.

?It?s really important to highlight that beyond recycling, Fairfield residents really need to focus on reducing the amount of waste they are putting into their garbage,? Timm said.

For the complete article, see the Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.