HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.c. Receive update on the potential for Central San to participate in the development of a regional solution for solid waste recycling Page 1 of 1
Item 3.c.
CENTRAL SAN
October 21, 2019
TO: REAL ESTATE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANNING COMMITTEE
FROM: MELODY LABELLA, RESOURCE RECOVERY PROGRAM MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: JEAN-MARC PETIT, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL
SERVICES
ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
SUBJECT: RECEIVE UPDATE ON THE POTENTIAL FOR CENTRAL SAN TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL SOLUTION FOR
SOLID WASTE RECYCLING
At its March 7, 2019 meeting, the Board of Directors requested that staff evaluate the potential for Central
San to participate as part of a regional solution to the solid waste industry's challenge to recycle certain
materials. This recycling challenge is a result of China implementing a stricter policy on the acceptance of
solid waste materials for recycling and even banning certain solid wastes for import. This policy, which
came into effect in early 2018, especially impacts certain post-consumer plastics (3 through 7) and paper
materials and has come to be known as China's National Sword.
I n following up on the Board's request, Director of Engineering and Technical Services, Jean-Marc Petit,
and Resource Recovery Program Manager, Melody LaBella, recently met with the Executive Director and
Contracts Compliance Specialist from the Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority (CCCSWA) and
learned the following:
• Republic Services currently holds the contract for franchised materials collection, transfer, transport,
processing, diversion and disposal services within CCCSWA's service area, while Mt. Diablo
Resource Recovery (MDRR) holds the contract to handle the transfer, transport, processing, and
diversion of CCCSWA's recyclable materials. The current contracts, initially executed in 2015, will
expire in 2025.
• Since MDRR is contracted to handle the processing of recyclable materials, it would be MDRR that
Central San needs to work with regarding a regional processing facility.
• CCCSWA is not currently interested in seeking a solution for processing recyclable materials.
• CCCSWA is potentially interested in a local solution for the disposal of food waste, which is the only
waste stream they handle directly. CCCSWA currently pays $70/ton to dispose of collected food
waste at East Bay Municipal Utility District's wastewater treatment plant in Oakland, where they haul
approximately 475 tons of food waste per month. CCCSWA staff indicated they would be interested
in a more-reliable disposal option for food waste that is closer to their service area.
October 21, 2019 Special REEP Committee Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 12 of 16