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Overview of Recycling Requirements for
Responsible Units (RUs)
November 15, 2018
Jennifer SemrauWaste Reduction & Diversion Coordinator
Wisconsin’s Recycling Law (1990)
Defines a waste and materials management policy for WI
Bans certain items from landfilling or incineration
Establishes local government units to implement recycling
Partially funds local recycling programs so that bans can be complied with
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Policy Framework
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Landfill and Incineration Bans
Lead acid batteries, waste oil & appliances (1990); yard waste (1993); tires (1995); electronics (2010); oil filters (2011)
Newspaper, cardboard, magazines, office paper, steel/bi-metal, aluminum, glass and plastic (#1 & #2) containers (1995)
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To whom does the law apply?
Individuals Households Businesses Organizations Institutions Event Sponsors Venues
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Wisconsin’s recycling law applies to all of us!
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Local Government Recycling Programs: RUs
Communities organized into RUs– Includes all Wisconsin communities– 1070 RUs and increasing; variable jurisdictions
RU duties include:– Passing an ordinance prohibiting disposal and requiring
recycling of landfill-banned materials– Providing recycling for residents– Informing and educating residents and businesses– Ensuring compliance; having a compliance assurance plan;
Enforcing their ordinance– Submitting an annual report– Notifying DNR of major program changes, contact updates
Recycling Ordinance
When was your recycling ordinance passed or last updated?
New template (in Word) available at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Recycling/RU.html
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http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Recycling/RU.html
Provide Recycling
Movement towards single stream recycling Curbside or drop-off Curbside required in municipalities with population of
5,000 or greater, with population density of 70 persons/square mile
Drop-offs open at least 2 days/month for a minimum of 5 hours/day
Consider pay-as-you-throw to increase recycling, decrease waste disposal, save $
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Educate
Talk to your hauler and/or MRF to make sure you know what can and cannot be recycled- it can change!
Recycling can be confusing as it’s not standardized New residents/businesses need education as
standards differ from location to location All residents/businesses
(including multi-family) informed annually
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Educate Residents
At polling sites during elections Newsletters (one of the most effective) Up-to-date website Social media (Facebook); easy to share posts from other
communities or Recycle More Wisconsin Create email list In tax bill, utility bills Articles for local paper All of the above can be
done for little to no cost12
Educate Businesses
Use business associations (newsletters, email lists, mailing lists, meetings)
In tax bill, with liquor license During building inspections Encourage good signage Encourage talking to hauler
(know what’s recyclable) Follow-up on complaints
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Compliance
Every RU must have a Compliance Assurance Plan (CAP)
Review your plan and update it as needed Use your plan in response to complaints DNR has template letters for residents, multi-family
and businesses who are not recycling Feel free to ‘cc’ (carbon copy) DNR staff http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/wa/WA427.pdf
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http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/wa/WA427.pdf
Enforcement
When DNR receives recycling complaints in violation of an effective recycling program, DNR forwards to RU to follow-up in accordance with local ordinance and CAP
Use stepped enforcement process identified in your CAP
May copy DNR staff on enforcement letters Keep track of enforcement efforts for Annual
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Annual Report
REQUIRED from all RUs (even if you don’t receive a grant)
DUE April 30th each year Necessary to substantiate operation of an effective
recycling program during prior year RUs who do not submit annual report are invoiced
for previous year’s grant Late filing can result in being placed on probation Late two consecutive years, ineligible for grant
funding following year16
Preparing for the Annual Report
The individual submitting the annual report online must complete a two-part registration process:
• Create a personal WAMS ID through the DNR Switchboard at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Switchboard/
• Request access to the report by identifying their role (authorized representative, primary contact, secondary contact)
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http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Switchboard/
Preparing for the Annual Report
Notify the DNR of contact changes by email or through our online link.
Consider updating your authorizing resolution to designate a role instead of an individual as the authorized representative
Kari Beetham, 608-264-9207 [email protected] Mankerian, 608-266-6965 [email protected] Contact Update Form: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Recycling/Reports.html
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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Recycling/Reports.html
Preparing for the Annual Report
Familiarize yourself with your program and document changes during the previous year
Know which haulers and MRFs serve your RU Request tonnage data from haulers and/or
MRFs in advance and in writing Consider requesting tonnage data from other
processors serving your RU
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Preparing for the Annual Report
Maintain records of • Compliance & enforcement actions including complaints,
warnings, inspections and citations• Recycling expenses• Outreach and education efforts• Date of any recycling ordinance changes• Date of any CAP modifications
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Common Annual Report Mistakes
RU doesn’t provide ordinance number Indicating that an RU doesn’t collect landfill banned
recyclable materials Reporting incorrect tonnage data (dramatic increase
or decrease from prior year or using wrong units [tons/pounds])
Reporting incorrect recycling and yard waste costs Reporting rigid plastics in Table 1 tonnage
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Questions
Jennifer Semrau Waste Reduction and Diversion [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
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Interactive Round Robin
November 15, 2018
Ariana MankerianRecycling & Solid Waste Reporting Specialist
Recycling Ordinance
Should include:– Requirement that single family, 2-4 unit, multi-family
and non-residential facilities recycle– Non-residential and multi-family properties provide
recycling containers, semi-annual notification & recycling collection
– Landfill prohibition of banned items– Provisions for enforcement
When was your ordinance updated? Tips?
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CAP/Complaint Response
Compliance Assurance Plan (CAP), at a minimum, must address one compliance issue
Ex: recycling mixed with trash, vice versa, illegal dumping, business/resident not recycling
What’s in your CAP? When was it updated? What works? What doesn’t work?
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Haulers
Per s. NR 502.06(4)(er), Wis. Adm. Code, “unless otherwise specified by contract, a service for the collection and transportation of recycled materials specified in s. NR 544.04(3) and (4) shall, within 4 weeks of a written request from a responsible unit, provide information regarding the amount of recyclable materials collected under contract with the responsible unit.”
What works for you? Tips?
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Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
Per s. NR 544.16(3)(a)(17), Wis. Adm. Code, “Certification that the owner or operator of the materials recovery facility will provide by February 1 of each year sufficient information so that a responsible unit can comply with the reporting requirements under s. NR 544.10(2)(d).”
Where does your material go? What do they take? What works for you? Tips?
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Education & Outreach:Free Publications & Materials
Preview and download publications on our website.
Order free materials by mail,phone or email.
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Updated Educational Materials
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Education & Outreach
What do you do?
What works? What doesn’t work well?
Tips?
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Questions
Ariana MankerianRecycling Program [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
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Changes in Recycling/DNR Updates
November 15, 2018
Jennifer SemrauWaste Reduction & Diversion Coordinator
Recycling Updates: National Sword
In 2013, China implemented “Green Fence,” an import restriction program
US exports to China fell by 40% In 2017, Chain announced “National Sword” Seeks to limit or outright ban the importation of certain
recyclables, including some paper and plastics In 2016, China imported 55% of the world’s recovered
paper/fiber and 51% of the world’s plastic scrap
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Paper Newspaper, cardboard, magazines and office paper are
only materials banned from landfill disposal, but many programs collect or produce ‘mixed paper’
Quality of utmost importance; significantly increased domestic supply allows mills to take the best feedstock
WI benefitting from strong, state markets Lower paper prices Educate and reduce contamination
National Sword Effects on WI
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Plastic #1 PETE and #2 HDPE are only materials banned from
landfill disposal, but some programs collect #3-7 or mixed bulky rigid plastics
Few domestic buyers of #3-7 bales; much mixed bulky rigid plastic is also exported
RUs may be asked by haulers/MRFs to cease collecting certain (non-LF banned) plastics; MRFs may landfill #3-7 plastics
In 2017, the City of Madison stopped accepting mixed bulky rigid plastic
National Sword Effects on WI
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MRF Stakeholder Meeting Nearly 50% of MRFs in attendance Public/private owned and operated, various facility sizes,
geographical representation, single-stream/dual-stream/source separated
Background info on National Sword; clarification on WI’s recycling law, outside storage for MRFs
MRF operator presentations (BMPs, modifications) Staffing/labor retention major issues What can WDNR do?
Addressing National Sword
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Problematic Contamination
0.00%10.00%20.00%30.00%40.00%50.00%60.00%70.00%80.00%90.00%
100.00%
Biggest sources of contamination
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Education & Outreach
Challenging for WDNR to educate “what to recycle” (beyond bans)
Statewide education campaign: Recycle Right-emphasize clean, properly prepared recyclables– Back to Basics– New recycling hierarchy– Anti-contamination communication plan– ‘Wish-cycling’ posts on social media
What can YOU do?– Keep in communication with your hauler/MRF– Use DNR/AROW tools to educate your residents38
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DNR Updates
RU work has been consolidated– Prior to 2016, regional recycling specialists handled RU work
(technical assistance, compliance, annual reports, etc.)– Now centralized in Madison for efficiency and consistency– Regional waste management specialists handle compliance
and inspections at non-landfill facilities including MRFs, compost sites, transfer facilities, woodburning facilities, others
Key RU staff– Recycling grants: Kari Beetham– Annual reports: Ariana Mankerian– Policy/regulation, general recycling
questions: Jennifer Semrau
PresenterPresentation NotesImplications:Small programs- less resources, higher turnover of staff -> less efficient and effective program (NOT ALWAYS)
Same time- most efficient to focus on larger communities to effect change, impact.
698 RUs 5000, 79% of pop, 78% of tons
Large RUs> 100,000 (6)EAU CLAIRE COUNTYOUTAGAMIE COUNTY WAUKESHA COUNTYCity OF MILWAUKEE CITY OF MADISON CITY OF GREEN BAY
Chart1
Sheet1
RU distribution and % of population and tonnage - 2009
RU sizeNumbertotal popTons% of totalPopulationtons
5000
Percent of total
Wisconsin's RU Program
Sheet2
Sheet3
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Questions
Jennifer Semrau Waste Reduction and Diversion [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
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Resources/Wrap-Up/Q&A
November 15, 2018
Jennifer SemrauWaste Reduction & Diversion Coordinator
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Resources
Resources
Reach out to us by phone or email Search for a topic or contact information on our
website: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Recycling/ Subscribe to our email lists for
updates on recycling and wastetopics:http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Recycling/
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http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Recycling/
Resources
WI Recycling Markets Directory (WRMD) Previously hosted by SHWEC; now UW-Green Bay During 2017 all companies in previous directory
were contacted to confirm listing/materials accepted Currently adding new materials/companies Suggestions welcome!
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Resources: Recycling Excellence Awards
Recognizes outstanding recycling & waste minimization efforts Communities, organizations & businesses with community
impact Announced in
conjunction with America Recycles Day
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Resources: Recycling Excellence Awards
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Resources: Organizations
Council on Recycling– Citizen advisory group to Governor and Legislature
on recycling topics Waste and Materials Management Study Group
– Stakeholder advisory group to WDNR on recycling and solid waste issues
Associated Recyclers of WI (AROW)– Statewide association of local/state government,
businesses, non-profits, other industry professionals which advocates for recycling48
Resources: Challenging Materials
Ag Plastics Farmers can sign up to
receive a free dumpster for silage bags, grain bags, bunker cover, etc.
Over 4,000 dumpsters placed in WI to date
Over 3 Million pounds of ag plastic diverted per month!
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Resources: Ag Plastics
Contamination & improperly filled dumpsters are problems
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Resources: Ag Plastics
In Nov. 2017, Recapture Bag program launched Even farms with small quantities of ag plastics can
now participate
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Resources: Grant Application
Optional DUE October 1st each year Request funding for
recycling activities for upcoming year
Late filing:– October 10: 95%– October 20: 90%– October 30: 75%– October 31: 0%
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Increasing RU Resource Efficiency: RU Cooperation
Program administration – staff, education and enforcement
Recycling collection – economies of scale for lower collection costs and expanded services (curbside collection, tires, appliances, oil filters, HHW, yard wastes)
Material processing – lower per/unit costs, better market prices due to higher volume
With formal cooperative agreement, qualify for Consolidation Grant53
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Questions
Jennifer Semrau Waste Reduction and Diversion [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]
�Overview of �Recycling Requirements for Responsible Units (RUs)�Wisconsin’s Recycling Law (1990)Policy FrameworkLandfill and Incineration BansSlide Number 5To whom does the law apply?Wisconsin’s recycling law applies to all of us!Local Government Recycling Programs: RUsRecycling OrdinanceProvide RecyclingEducateEducate ResidentsEducate BusinessesComplianceEnforcementAnnual ReportPreparing for the Annual ReportPreparing for the Annual ReportPreparing for the Annual ReportPreparing for the Annual ReportCommon Annual Report MistakesQuestions�Interactive Round Robin�Recycling OrdinanceCAP/Complaint ResponseHaulersMaterial Recovery Facility (MRF)Education & Outreach:�Free Publications & MaterialsUpdated Educational MaterialsEducation & OutreachQuestions�Changes in �Recycling/DNR Updates�Recycling Updates: National SwordNational Sword Effects on WINational Sword Effects on WIAddressing National SwordProblematic ContaminationEducation & OutreachDNR UpdatesSlide Number 40Questions�Resources/�Wrap-Up/Q&A�ResourcesResourcesResourcesResources: �Recycling Excellence AwardsResources: �Recycling Excellence AwardsResources: OrganizationsResources: Challenging MaterialsResources: Ag PlasticsResources: Ag PlasticsResources: Grant ApplicationIncreasing RU Resource Efficiency: �RU Cooperation Questions