DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste Management Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: David W. McCary, CPM
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Briefing on Commercial Recycling Program Strategies
SUMMARY:
Staff briefing and update to City Council on the status of the Commercial Recycling Program Strategies.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio's Recycling and Resource Recovery Plan, adopted by City Council, sets recycling goals for the City of San Antonio and outlines program changes to achieve those goals. The Plan's three main recycling goals are:
* Residential Recycling: Reach a 60% residential recycling rate by 2025
* Multi-family Recycling: Ensure access to convenient recycling for all single and multi-family residents
* Commercial Recycling: Improve recycling opportunities for business
Initial estimates by the Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) suggest that commercial waste comprises approximately 40-50% of the San Antonio waste stream. National estimates suggest that as much as 60% of the commercial waste stream can be recovered through traditional recycling or composting programs. Based on a 2010 report by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 1.25 million tons of waste material is landfilled annually from the San Antonio area. The commercial stream encompasses approximately 48% of this waste stream, or approximately 600,000 tons. SWMD does not collect commercial waste or commercial recycling. All commercial collections are conducted by private waste haulers.
Research indicates that various other comparable cities have policies and programs that require or encourage businesses to divert waste from landfills through recycling or other waste reduction programs. SWMD staff has initiated the process of reviewing existing commercial recycling policies and requirements in comparable cities to provide information on commercial recycling opportunities for the business community in San Antonio. Staf...
Click here for full text