HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-23 - AGENDA REPORTS - DIAPER RECYCLING PILOT PGM (2)Agenda Item: 1—
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
DATE: September 23, 2003
SUBJECT: REVIEW OF DIAPER RECYCLING PILOT PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT: Field Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Council to receive information on the nine-month diaper recycling pilot program. Based on the
evaluation of the pilot results Council to direct staff to discontinue the program and to instruct
Knowaste to market the Knowaste Diaper Processor II (KDP II) for sale.
BACKGROUND
On May 13, 2003, staff presented an update on the progress of the first six -months of the diaper
recycling pilot program. City Council directed staff to continue the program for an additional
three months to further monitor the program, and to gather the additional information needed to
evaluate the feasibility of implementing the program City-wide.
As of August 12, 2003, the City has obtained the following information based on the
performance of the program:
• The program had an average number of 226.6 participants.
• The average percentage of total households in the pilot area participating in the program was
98.7 percent.
• The average number of households that setout a bin was 156.
• The average setout rate for the program was 70.5 percent.
• The total amount of diapers collected through the program was 43.1 tons.
• The average amount of diapers collected per week was 2,155.9 pounds
• The total amount of diapers collected per household during the 40 week period was 381.4
pounds.
• The total amount of fiber pulp that was recovered through the program was 6,140 pounds.
• The total amount of plastics that was recovered through the program was 1,058 pounds.
rlfrif�lr`tlpf
The City Council direction provided on May 13, 2003, was to continue to use the evaluation
criteria that were agreed to in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was prepared prior
to commencing the pilot. The MOU established the following evaluation criteria:
• Participation Rate
• Setout Rate
• Tonnage Collected
• Tipping Fees
Additionally, the City Council directed staff to pay particular attention to the cost of the program,
and to the amount of diversion that would be obtained through the program. The following
results are further clarified in detail the "Staff Calculations and Details" attachment.
Participation Rate
The participation rate measurement is to evaluate, within the pilot service area, how many
residences that have diaper -aged children elected to participate by requesting a diaper recycling
bin. The target percentage for the participation rate is 70 to 100 percent of the eligible
population. Throughout the 40 weeks of the program, an average of 221.2 households
participated in the program, which was approximately 5.2 percent of the total population
(contacted), which is roughly 98.7 percent of the total eligible population.
Setout Rate
The criterion was to determine, of the households participating in the program, on average how
many households setout their containers on a weekly basis. The target rate for the program was
70 to 100 percent. On average, throughout the 40 weeks of the program, the average setout rate
was approximately 70.5 percent.
Tonnage Collected/Diversion
The criterion was to determine the amount of diapers that would be collected per child in the
program. The target amount was 375 to 675 pounds of diapers per child for a six-month period.
After 40 weeks worth of data, the amount of diapers collected per household in the program was
381.4 pounds, or, adjusting to a six-month period basis (26 weeks worth of data rather than 40
weeks), 247.9 pounds of diapers per household.
Amount of Diapers Anticipated Through a Citywide Program
Based on pilot program statistics, staff anticipates that the City would collect a total of 673.5 tons
of diapers per year through a City-wide program. Knowaste, upon evaluating the City's
information, felt that the numbers inaccurately represent the number of diapers that are in the
City. Therefore, Knowaste did its own set of calculations. Using four different methods for
calculating the amount of diapers in the City, Knowaste estimated the amount of diapers located
in the City ranged from 1,300 tons to 1,985 tons (see attached letter).
Diversion
Based on 2001 generation numbers, the City could anticipate 0.22 percent diversion through a
City-wide program. If the City were able to achieve the amount of diversion anticipated by
Knowaste (1,985 tons maximum) the City would obtain a total of 0.65 percent diversion through
the program per year.
It should be noted that the City would obtain this amount of diversion with its current Base Year,
which was determined in the year 2000. Based on the atmosphere at the CIWMB and the City's
continuing growth, in the near future the City may need to prepare a new Base Year Study. The
CIWMB recommends that Base Years should be updated when one of fourteen different criteria
have exceeded established thresholds. The criteria include factors such as population growth,
commercial taxable sales growth, and the age of the Base Year. When the City must update its
Base Year, the City will have to report the actual diversion obtained through the recycling of
diapers. Based on staff conversations with the CIWMB Office of Local Assistance and staff
experience with Base Years, there is a possibility that only a portion of the diapers collected
would be counted as diversion. The reason being that only the fiber pulp (24 percent of the
diaper by weight) and the plastic (10 percent of the diaper by weight) are actually recycled, while
the water, super absorbent polymer (SAP), and waste (55 percent, 5 percent, and 6 percent of the
diaper by weight respectively) is directed to the sanitary sewer system. The remaining 66 percent
will not count as diversion or disposal as sewered items are not considered solid waste; rather it
will now become a part of the sewage treatment plant serving the location's diversion issue and
not the City. Since to the best of staff knowledge the CIWMB has not had to evaluate an issue
such as this one in the past, the final decision will be left up to the Board Members of the
CIWMB's discretion, but if the CIWMB makes that determination, only approximately 34
percent of the total weight of diapers collected will be counted as diversion. Therefore, the City
will obtain 0.07 percent (seven one-hundredth of one percent) diversion based on pilot program
statistics or a maximum of 0.22 percent diversion based on Knowaste's calculations.
Tipping Fees/Cost of Operation
The criterion was to evaluate the operations and maintenance costs to recycle diapers at the
processing location. A target operating cost was not established in the MOU since staff did not
have an adequate benchmark for determining what would be a reasonable cost for the
processing/diversion of diapers.
Staff's Calculation of Pilot Costs
Staff obtained information from Knowaste pertaining to the cost of processing the diapers for the
first six months of the program. Staff used this information to determine the cost of operating
the KDP II for the first six months of the pilot program, which was estimated at a total cost of
$61,485.48 or $1,845.86 per ton collected. Within the last three months of the program, the
program has continued to cost $46,852.78 or $3,520.78 per ton collected (note that permitting
fees were not calculated for the three months).
Proposed Collection Rates from Residential Franchise RFPs
In response to the proposals received for the City's Residential Franchise RFP, staff sent a
follow-up letter to the three final proposers (Blue Barrel, Bun -tee, and Consolidated). In it, staff
requested alternative collection methods that would prevent households from being identified as
households with diaper aged children, or incontinence pants users. The proposed rates for
collecting diapers range from $163,884 to $379,274 per year depending on the proposal and
method of collection. The alternative collection methods proposed will either have a high
potential for contaminating residential recyclables or may slow down the residential refuse
collectors.
Other Issues
City Survey — The City sent out a survey to residents participating in the program to gauge what
they thought about the diaper recycling pilot program. The City received a total of 118 responses
to the survey before the deadline. The respondents gave the program favorable marks, and would
like to see the program continue. Although it should be noted that 37 percent of the respondents
were not willing to have a nominal fee added to their trash collection bill, and of that 37 percent,
the majority were residents who commented that their children are almost out of diapers and they
will soon no longer need to be in the program. A summary page of the survey results has been
attached for review.
Other Diversion Opportunities - In the year 2000, the City achieved a 42 percent diversion rate.
The City needs to divert an additional 8 percent of waste, or based on 2001 waste generation
numbers, over 24,500 tons of waste, to be in compliance with AB 939. To reach the Council's
goal of 75 percent, the City will be required to divert an additional 33 percent of waste or over
101,000 tons of waste. Although diaper recycling will provide additional diversion, resources
may be better utilized if the City concentrated on other programs that yield a higher diversion for
lower costs. For example, the CIWMB estimates that on average construction and demolition
debris (C&D) makes up approximately 12 percent of the waste going into landfills and that C&D
recovery facilities have a recovery rate of 60 to 90 percent. Creating an aggressive, high quality
non-exclusive franchise system for roll -off and temporary bin operators in concert with a C&D
ordinance, would cost the City approximately $50,000 to $100,000 for the preparation of the
agreements and ordinance, and then would be revenue neutral from that point on as the
participants would have to offset the costs incurred by the City (primarily staff time) through
franchise and permitting fees. Therefore, by implementing a non-exclusive franchise system and
a C&D recycling ordinance, the City can divert more waste for a lower cost.
Additionally, the City has incorporated enhancements to its current recycling program through its
RFP process. In the RFP, the City has written in enhancements to commercial recycling,
multifamily recycling, larger recycling containers for single-family homes, and several other
programs to enhance the City's diversion. For example, the City's commercial sector disposed of
67,774.82 tons of waste in 2001 and less than 15 percent was recycled. The maximum amount of
diversion anticipated through diaper recycling would only be a small fraction of what is currently
being recycled and would be a smaller fraction of the anticipated commercial recycling once
recycling containers will be provided to businesses free of charge.
Water — The amount of water required to process the diapers can be between 1,128,000 gallons
and 10,901,000 gallons per year. An average single-family home uses 237,250 gallons of water
per year.
Conclusion
At the May 13, 2003 Council Meeting, the Council instructed staff to continue the diaper
recycling pilot program, and to evaluate it based on the criteria established in previous
agreements and on its cost and subsequent diversion. Based on the evaluation of the results, the
program did meet minimum thresholds for participation rate and setout rate, but did not meet
minimum requirements for the tonnage collected. Additionally, although the previous
agreements do not give specific criteria for the cost of the program or its subsequent diversion,
staff believes that the cost does not justify the amount of diversion anticipated through the
program at the present time or after the City completes its next Base Year, especially with the
number of other programs that the City can implement to achieve higher diversion for a lower
cost (Council did direct staff to evaluate the program on this additional criteria at the May 13,
2003 Council meeting). Based on these factors, staff is recommending that Council determine
the pilot was unsuccessful, and to instruct Knowaste to commence marketing the KDP II.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
1. Council to approve an extension of the pilot for an additional period of time to further
evaluate the program.
2. Council to direct staff to implement a City-wide program
a. Council to direct staff to put the program on hold until the implementation of the new
residential franchise in April 2006 and then to roll out the program City-wide.
b. Council to direct staff to continue the program in the pilot area until the new residential
franchise is in effect and then roll out the program City-wide.
3. Other action as determined by the Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $500,000 were used for the startup and acquisition of the diaper
processor ($250,000 of General Fund expenses in Account No. 3811-8021 and $250,000 from a
State Grant in Account No. 3815-8021). Based on the agreement signed between Knowaste and
the City, if the Council determines that the pilot was unsuccessful (using the guidelines outlined
in the Service Agreement), within 12 months of the end of the pilot, Knowaste will obtain a
buyer for the KDP II for a minimum purchase price of $250,000. If after good faith efforts no
buyer is obtained, Knowaste will pay the City $100,000 and assume all ownership rights to and
liability for the KDP II.
ATTACHMENTS
Memo to Council Regarding the Cost of the Program
Letter from Knowaste to Staff Regarding Diaper Volumes and Diversion Estimates
Staff Calculations and Details
Addendum to Agenda Item
Letter from County Sanitation Districts
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: r Snvf3h and City Councilmembers
FROM: a ity a
DATE: July 16, 2003
SUBJECT: OPERATION COST FOR INITIAL SIX MONTHS OF KDPII PROGRAM
At the City Council meeting of May 13, 2003, Council requested that staff obtain and analyze
information pertaining to the operational costs incurred by Knowaste for the initial six -months
operation of the Knowaste Diaper Processor II (KDPII) pilot program. Based on actual
information provided by Knowaste and on some assumptions made by staff or Knowaste, staff
estimates that the program costs amounted to approximately $61,485.48 or $1,845.86 per ton of
diapers processed. This is a calculation of the operating costs alone and does not include the
purchase of the machine or expense for education and outreach efforts.
The following assumptions were made for obtaining this calculation:
• The cost for water was based on the Castaic Lake Water Agency rate of $0.87 per cubic
foot of water.
• Knowaste provided the cost for sewage based on a rate of $0.33 per gallon of discharge.
• Knowaste provided the cost for electricity based on a conservative rate of 75 percent
load, based on a kilowatt rating of 107.
• The employee cost is based on an estimated employee rate provided by Knowaste of
$18.90 per hour (including overhead).
• The miscellaneous costs are based on the cost for purchasing chemicals required to run
the processor, which was estimated by Knowaste to be $27.00 per batch (ton).
The attached summarizes the factors used to determine the total costs. Please note that this may
not completely reflect the actual costs for running the program because the KDPII was not
operated at full capacity.
Please feel free to contact me at (661) 255-4905 with any questions that you may have regarding
the City's diaper recycling pilot program.
KP:TL:sas
S:\FIELDSVCS\ENVSRVCS\SOLWAST?\Diaper\Cost for first six months memo to Cot mcil.doc
Attachment
Chris Daste. Director of Field Services
ravis Lange. Fnvironmental Services Manager
ENVIgpN41N At 1 V pEs/o
AUG 0 51003
SCANNING ANp
CITY p AID BUILDING DING SERVICES
HACKER, KANOWSKY & BRALY, LLP Attorneys and Counselors at Law
A Limited Liability Partnership
24510 Town Center Drive/ Suite 200/ Valencia, CA 91355/ Phone: (661) 259-6800/ FAX: (661) 259.6836
August 4, 2003
VIA FACSINULE & U.S. MAIL
Fax No. (661) 259-8125
Mr. Ben Lucha, Environmental Services
City of Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Blvd., Suite 220
Santa Clarita, California 91355
Re: Disposable Diaper Volume and Diversion Estimates
Dear Mr. Lucha,
Over the past few months, Knowaste and the City of Santa Clarita have been working together
on our diaper recycling demonstration program. Knowaste has demonstrated the ability of our
technology to successfully separate the components of a disposable baby diaper and recover the
pulp fiber and plastic for recycling. In addition, the program has been evaluating the
willingness of city residents to participate in a collection program and the ability to collect this
waste in an effective and cost-efficient manner.
The purpose of this letter is not to discuss the results of the demonstration program or the
specific goals of that program. We will do that separately. This letter is to discuss a separate
question raised by the city that is quite important. Specifically, how much disposable diaper
waste can be diverted from landfill using a citywide recycling program?
Of course, neither the City of Santa Clarita nor Knowaste knows the exact amount of diaper
waste that is generated by Santa Clarita residents, but we believe that it is possible to develop a
reasonably accurate estimate using a variety of methods. The purpose of this letter is to assist
the City by discussing several possible methods for estimating tonnage using our experience in
other locations, various government studies and reports, and the information from the
demonstration project.
Knowaste has spent a great deal of time analyzing the amount of diversion that the City would
expect from a citywide diaper recycling program. To date, the diversion estimates have covered
a large range, including the 6,741 tons in the SCS Engineering study and the city staff estimate
contained in the May 12`h staff report of 661.7 tons. The same staff reported Knowaste's
estimate of 1,260 tons, which is on the low-end of the expected range. As we reach the
conclusion of the demonstration program, we believe it is time to revisit these figures because
of the wide range in estimates, particularly the large difference between city staff s and
Knowaste's estimates. We believe that our analysis will assist the city staff and the Council in
formins their final decision.
Mr. Ben Lucha, Environmental Services
City of Santa Clarita
August 4, 2003
Page 2
As discussed in the detailed analysis below, we conservatively estimate the tonnage that can be
collected from residential, city-wide diaper collection (excluding daycare centers and all
sources of adult incontinence) to be between 1,300 and 1,985 tons per year. With daycare
centers, adult incontinence products, or other municipalities included, this figure would be
much higher. Using the Knowaste process, at least 90% of this tonna a could be diverted from
landfill. Based upon 61,342 tons of residential waste in Santa Clarita, this diversion of diaper
waste would represent 2% -3% of that residential portion of the total waste stream.
In the rest of this letter, we discuss the methods used for estimating A) tonnage collected and B)
tonnage diverted.
A) Diaper Tonnage Collected
We have selected four methods of estimating the total and collectible tonnage from available
data. We should not expect that different methods will yield the same result, but looked at
together they provide some comfort that our range of estimates is reasonable. Whenever
possible we will identify the weaknesses and strengths of each method and the potential errors
and ranges of estimates.
It should be noted again that we limited the estimated tonnage to the residential, baby diaper
market in Santa Clarita. We did not consider the possibility of obtaining tonnages from other
likely sources including: other municipalities, daycare centers, or hospitals. We also did not
include incontinence products that could come from residences, care facilities or nursing homes.
• Method 1. Extrapolation of Households in Test — An estimate based upon the
extrapolation of the number of households participating in the demonstration project.
• Method 2. Santa Clarita Demographic Analysis — An estimate of the total tonnage
available for collection based upon demographic data.
• Method 3. CIWMB/Characterization Studies — An estimate of total tonnage from the
U.S. EPA and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and other
characterization studies.
• Method 4. Comparable City Method— Based upon the experience of a city in Ontario,
Canada that has implemented disposable diaper collection on a citywide basis.
Method 1. Extrapolation of Households in Test
We understand that the City of Santa Clarita extrapolated the results of the demonstration
program to a citywide program using the number of participating households as a percentage of
the total households in Santa Clarita. In the May 12th report, city staff estimated 661.7 tons of
' From CrN..vIB 1999 dam.
Mr. Ben Lucha, Environmental Services
City of Santa Clarita
August 4, 2003
Page 3
diversion. We will outline the way this was estimated and show why we believe that estimate is
too low.
The City sent brochures to 4,450 single-family residential units (and sent an unspecified number
of Community Center employees to the Newhall area). This generated 233 participants (214
initially) with 3 rejections for a response rate of 5.26% of households in the test area'. Then, in
order to estimate the tonnage in a citywide program the city assumed the same 5.26% positive
response rate and the current collection of 2,160 pounds per week and multiplied that by 11.78
(52,422 total households divided by the test area of 4,450). This results in the 661.7 tons per
year estimated by city staff.
From the demonstration, we can safely conclude that almost 100% of the people who responded
wanted to participate, which is a very positive result. However, the problem occurs when the
May 12'' report asserts that while "there is no way to verify the actual number of diaper -aged
children", the staff believes that "approximately 98% of eligible residents in the pilot area are
participating in the program." The city apparently reached this conclusion because 5.26% is
consistent with the SCS Engineering estimate that 5.4% of the population is diaper age children.
However, 5.4% of the population would be 8,640 children while 5.26% of households
represents 2,758 total households. The estimate of 661.7 tons would be true only if there are
3.13 diaper age children per household. Assuming that there are much closer to 1 child per
household (in diapers), then the estimate should be about 3 times larger or 1,985 tons. Even
reducing this figure for a more conservative estimate of number of children as discussed under
Method 2, this would result in at least 1,500 tons.
This estimated tonnage is more consistent with our other methods discussed below. Of course,
this result also means that in our current demonstration project, sending 1 brochure was clearly
not sufficient to reach all the households in the test area. Based upon the low rejection rate, we
believe that a higher participation rate is quite reasonable given more publicity. However,
given a citywide program and further communication efforts, we believe that the participation
rate would certainly approach that achieved in Orillia, see Method 4. We also believe that if
direct marketing professionals were polled, they would be confirm that a 33% initial response
rate is very impressive considering that direct mail returns 1-2% at best.
Method 2. Santa Clarita Demographic Analysis
Based upon demographic data that we obtained from the City of Santa Clarita website, we
estimated the number of babies in diapers and then estimated the amount that would be
collected from those babies using our experience in the Santa Clarita demonstration program
and confirmed by our experience from the Smallplanet division of Knowaste.
Minor note - 33/4450 = 5.1_3990 but throughout the May 12report j.26% is used.
Mr. Ben Lucha, Environmental Services
City of Santa Clarita
August 4, 2003
Page 4
Our method would be quite similar to the method used by SCS Engineering in their report
prepared for the City that estimated 6,741 tons of diaper waste generated by Santa Clarita
residents. However, while we believe that the method is valid, our calculations are a bit more
conservative. To calculate the total diaper waste generated, SCS performed the following steps:
First, SCS concluded that the average child uses 5,000 diapers in the first 30 months of use.
This is from an Ohio State University Study and is consistent with our experience. This
translates to 38.5 diapers each week or 5-6 per day.
Second, SCS then multiplies the number of diapers used by the weight per diaper. SCS used
0.75 pounds per diaper for their estimate. According to SCS, this estimate was generated by an
SCS characterization study. We don't have access to this study, but we have weighed diapers in
Santa Clarita, Canada, and Europe and have consistently found a lower figure, between 0.33
and 0.36 pounds per diaper on average. For this estimate, we used the lower figure. Further our
weight estimate is confirmed by EPA data discussed and footnoted in Method 3.
Third, SCS estimated the number of children of diaper age. Using census data on children, SCS
estimated 8,427 children in diapers in Santa Clarita. Knowaste estimates 6,200 children.
Knowaste used data specifically from Santa Clarita while SCS estimated Santa Clarita figures
using data for LA County. SCS also seems to have made a calculation error in their estimate of
children between 0 and 2.5 years old.3
Fourth, by multiplying these figures, you estimate the tonnage per year. 38.5 diapers/week x
0.33 pounds/diaper x 6,200 children generates about 40 tons per week on a citywide basis and
2,050 tons per year (over 2,200 tons per year assuming 0.36 pounds).a
Assuming that all of this is collected, this method estimates 2,050 —2,200 tons. With a 75%
setout rate, we estimate approximately 1,550-1,650 tons.
Method 3. CIW VM Profile of Santa Clarita (2000)
Throughout the US and Canada, federal, state/provincial, and local governments have
performed waste characterization studies to understand the contents of our municipal waste
stream and find ways to divert this tonnage from landfill and into productive uses. The State of
California and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) have done
extensive studies of this kind. However, in most of these. studies, diapers are not specifically
categorized thus making accurate estimates difficult. Of Santa Clarita's estimated 61,342 tons
3 SCS states that they divided by 4 and multiplied by 2.5 because their data was for children from "0-4 years old". The data
Knowaste multiplied by 5 since our data was for children "under 5 years old." The SCS report indicated that its data for
LA County shows children aged 0-4 (8.6%). The source we used shows 7.7% for children under 5 in LA County.
Knowaste used the figures for Santa Clarita from the website (7.8%)
' while SCS rounded upward once during the calculation. we have not included any rounding here.
Mr. Ben Lucha, Environmental Services
City of Santa Clarita
August 4, 2003
Page 5
of residential waste from the 1999 CIWMB study, diapers are included in the
Remainder/Composite Organic category that represents 9.5% or 5,880 tons of waste. We
believe that diapers represent probably the largest single component of this category, but we do
not know the % that diapers represent. Even at just 25% to 33% of this category, diapers would
represent 2.4-3.2% of the total residential waste stream and 1,470 —1,940 tons respectively.
In 1990, the U.S. EPA estimated that there are 16 billion baby diapers and representing 2.7
million tons of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) each years. Out of the total of 230 million of
MSW, the agency estimated that diapers represented 1.2% of the waste stream. 6 However, the
U.S. EPA includes commercial and institutional waste in its figures. Therefore, assuming Santa
Clarita is average, 1.2% of total waste, 211,523 tons? would be 2,500 tons. Even after adjusting
for a 75% setout rate, this figure would be 1,775 tons.
According to another statistic of the U.S. EPA, the average person throws away 4.6 pounds of
waste per day. Based the current population, Santa Clarita residents would generate 125,000
tons of waste per year. At 1.2% of this figure, Santa Clarita would generate 1,500 tons.
SCS reported that during a one-year period the City of Orillia collected diapers representing
4.6% of total garbage If Orillia was used as a large waste characterization studv, the estimate
for Santa Clarita is even higher. Without estimating for the higher number of children per
capita. Santa Clarita would collect 2,820 tons per vear.
Method 4. Comparable City Method
The small city of Orillia, Ontario, north of Toronto, has been collecting diaper waste for the past
few years. Orillia began collecting the diapers in 1997 and has significant direct experience in
the tonnage of diaper waste that can be reasonably collected. Orillia is too small for a KDP of
its own and intends to send the material to a larger city for processing. The City of Orillia
provides an interesting benchmark for Santa Clarita because they have a mature program in
place and therefore are not based upon theoretical calculations don't need to be adjusted for
participation rate or setout rate.
According to the City of Orillia, they collect approximately 240 tons of diaper waste per year in
their collection program. As a city much smaller than Santa Clarita, we adjusted this figure for
population. Based upon a size 5.4 times larger$, the Santa Clarita would collect 1,300 tons.
s This EPA data also confirms our weight assumptions in Method 2 at 0.338 pounds per diaper.
e SCS quotes a figure of 1.4% of the waste stream.
Per the CFWMB, total MSW for Santa Clarita was 211,523 tons in 1999. 61,342 or 29% of that is residential. Growing with population this
figure would be closer to 220-225.000 tons.
8 in the 1996 census. Orillia had 27.846 residents. According to the Smustics Canada website. the 2001 000ulauon is 29.121. According to
the CiN of Santa Clanta'3 website. me 2002 000ulauon is esurnatea to oe 158.500.
Mr. Ben Lucha, Environmental Services
City of Santa Clarita
August 4, 2003
Page 6
Adjusting by children of diaper age instead of population, Santa Clarita would be 8.1 times
larger and collect 1,950 tons.9
While we don't have more detailed demographic data to compare Orillia to Santa Clarita,
Orillia is actually a conservative estimate considering the following facts:
Both are cities outside of a much larger metropolitan areas,
Canada overall has a lower birthrate than the United States, an estimated 11/1,000 births
compared to more than 14 for the US -lo
Bl Tonnage Diverted
After collecting the diaper waste tonnage, the material would be processed by Knowaste's KDP
machine instead of being landfilled. In the processing of diapers, the KDP generates pulp fiber,
plastic material, wastewater, and waste material. In total, 90% of the weight of the original
material will be diverted from landfill with 10% of the material filtered out during the Knowaste
process. Based upon our tonnage estimates above, the following diversion will be possible:
Summary
In the table below, we summarize the high and low estimate from each of the four methods (leaving out
in between estimates where applicable.):
N Icd
1
2
3
4
In each our analyses, using multiple methods and sources, we would conclude that diaper
collection on a citywide basis can have a significant impact on overall diversion rates for the
City of Santa Clarita. We estimate that between 1,300 and 1,985 tons can be collected and 90%
diverted from landfill representing 2-3% of the residential waste stream.
9 According to the Statistics Canada website. 2001 population of from 0-4 years is 1.525 or 762 from 0-2.5 ,years. According to the City of
Santa Clerics's website, the 7.8% of me population is between 0-4 years from the 2000 census, estimated to be 6.178 in 2002.
m CIA: World Factbook 2002
_. a•
e c u
• y-�W... u . •• .0 • •i
®�
. �. r. l" • •
..1
M7—iiFTOM-i FION a a* eve
OEM M7,
M-MVIA VITTTITMO I! I.•s r.i• •
•�1
• - •> I F'7u Lk Ism *Ve�6
In each our analyses, using multiple methods and sources, we would conclude that diaper
collection on a citywide basis can have a significant impact on overall diversion rates for the
City of Santa Clarita. We estimate that between 1,300 and 1,985 tons can be collected and 90%
diverted from landfill representing 2-3% of the residential waste stream.
9 According to the Statistics Canada website. 2001 population of from 0-4 years is 1.525 or 762 from 0-2.5 ,years. According to the City of
Santa Clerics's website, the 7.8% of me population is between 0-4 years from the 2000 census, estimated to be 6.178 in 2002.
m CIA: World Factbook 2002
Mr. Ben Lucha, Environmental Services
City of Santa Clarita
August 4, 2003
Page 7
In conclusion, it is also important to note that we have not adjusted our estimates for the
following factors:
• Santa Clarita growth above the average in California (in a state that has also growing faster
than the average) and the impact of that growth on tonnage forecasts for 2005, 2010.
• Tonnage from daycare center collection
• Tonnage from nursing home or convalescent collection
• Tonnage from other municipalities
We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss these details in person and to use our combined
data to accurately determine the impact of a citywide program for the City of Santa Clarita. We
can also discuss, and will separately report on, the results of the demonstration project itself.
Sincerely,
4"�- ( ,��
Hunt C. Braly
HCB/ilm
cc: Roy Brown, President, Knowaste, LLC
Chris Daste, Director, Field Services, City of Santa Clarita
Travis Lange, Environmental Services Manager, City of Santa Clarita
KDP II OPERATION COSTS
'Average is based on expenditures for the same month for at least 3 previous years
November December
Residential Driver Costs $2,880.00 Residential Driver Costs
Commercial Driver Costs $405.00 Commercial Driver Costs
Amount of Diapers Collected (lbs) 5,860.00 Amount of Diapers Collected (Ibs)
January
Residential Driver Costs
Commercial Driver Costs
Amount of Diapers Collected (Ibs)
March
Residential Driver Costs
Commercial Driver Costs
Amount of Diapers Collected (Ibs)
May
Residential Driver Costs
Commercial Driver Costs
Amount of Diapers Collected (Ibs)
Total for 6 -Month Pilot
Water Use
Water Expenditures
Actual Sewage Expenditures
Actual Electricity Expenditures
Permit Fees
Employee Hours
Employee Cost
Misc. KDPII related Expenditures
Residential Driver Costs
Commercial Driver Costs
Amount of Diapers Collected (tons)
Total Cost
Cost per Ton
February
$2,970.00
Residential Driver Costs
$0.00
Commercial Driver Costs
8,600.00
Amount of Diapers Collected (Ibs)
April
$2,790.00
Residential Driver Costs
$0.00
Commercial Driver Costs
9,120.00
Amount of Diapers Collected (Ibs)
$2,587.50
$0.00
8,730.00
91,000
$10,584.22
$274.00
$271.00
$22,872.96
252
$4,762.80
$918.00
$21,397.50
$405.00
33.31
$61,485.48
$1,845.86
$4,005.00
$0.00
11,440.00
$2,925.00
$0.00
9,600.00
$3,240.00
$0.00
13,270.00
Addendum to
Review of Diaper Recycling Pilot Program Agenda Item
In order for the Knowaste Diaper Processor II (KDP II) to properly process and disinfect the
fiber pulp and plastics obtained from the diapers, the City would need to use two gallons of
Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach) per ton of diapers processed. Therefore, based on staff
calculations, the City would require anywhere between 1,347 to 3,970 gallons per year of bleach
to handle a City-wide program.
The effluent from the KDP II would be directed to the sanitary sewer system. Therefore, it
would have to be processed by the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, and the
treated water would then be directed to the Santa Clara River. According to the Sanitation
Districts, once the bleach completes the disinfection, it becomes chloride. Currently, the local
sewage treatment facilities servicing the City are restricting the amount of chlorides they
discharge to the Santa Clara River. The Regional Water Quality Control Board has established a
Total Maximum Daily Load for chlorides in the Santa Clara River due to its impact on river
water used for irrigation of salt sensitive crops downstream of Santa Clarita.
According to the Sanitation Districts, the effluent would have to meet a chloride limit 100 mg/l.
Given that the potable water supply can exceed 100 mg/1 during dry years, it would be very
difficult if not impossible for the KDP 11 to meet the limit. Therefore, the Sanitation Districts
would likely require the KDP II effluent to be pretreated to meet the limit through ultra filtration
and reverse osmosis.
If reverse osmosis treatment would be required to reach the limit of 100 mg/l, the resulting brine
would then have to be trucked to a sewage treatment plant that is not required to meet the
100 mg/1 effluent limit, which is located in Carson. The usual type of truck used for collecting
this waste can carry 5,000 gallons of the effluent; therefore, the KDP II would also require a
storage tank with a capacity of over 5,000 gallons to hold the effluent in queue and to handle any
overflow before a truck can arrive. Based on staff estimates that the KDP II would produce
anywhere from 1,128,000 gallons to 10,901,000 gallons per year of effluent, the required amount
of truck loads would range from 75 to 727. This assumes the brine waste makes up one-third of
the effluent after treatment.
TLL:HLM:BAL
S:\FIELDSVCS\ENVSRVCS\SOLWAST2\COUNCIL\2003Wddendum to Diaper Recycling Pilot Program Evaluation.doc
SOP -15-2003 08:33am Fran-LACSO INDUSTRIAL WASTE 562 908 4224 T-668 P 001/002 F-815
wREw
EEC\�uRlO�
COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS
OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
1955 Workman Mill Rood, Whi*ieq CA 90601.1400
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4999, Whinier, CA 90607.4998
Telephone: 156216"-7411. FAX. 156216993422
w .laesd,org
Mr. Travis Lange
Environmental Services Manager
City of Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Boulevard
Suite 300
Valencia, California 91355
Dear Mr. Lange:
JAMES F. STAHL
Chief Engineer and Gomral Manager
September 15, 2003
Provosed Diaper Recycling Facility
Industrial Wastewater Discharge in Santa Clarita
The Comity Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (Districts) have reviewed of your
correspondence dated September 10, 2003 regarding the possible siting of a Diaper Recycling
facility in Santa Clarita. It is the Districts understanding the proposed facility will recycle 674 to
1,985 tons of disposable diapers per year using two gallons of sodium hypochlorite per ton of
diapers recycled. It is our understanding that following the disinfection process, the wastewater
generated, including any residual sodium hypochlorite will be discharged to the sewer system.
The proposed discharge will include all chlorides contained in any potable water used in the
recycling process and all chlorides resulting from the disinfection operation. As you are aware,
the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has imposed very stringent chloride
limits on the Districts' Saugus and Valencia Water Reclamation plants.
This type of proposed industrial operation will be required to obtain an industrial
wastewater discharge permit. Additionally, the facility will be required to pay a connection fee
to the Districts. The connection fee program recovers the capital costs this operation will impose
on the Districts to treat and convey the wastewater. The proposed operation will be required to
pay an annual surcharge fee. This fee recovers the operation and maintenance cost of wastewater
conveyance and treatment. The current annual cost to treat one million gallons of average
industrial wastewater in Santa Clarita is 51,542.00.
The Districts would like to reaffirm our prohibition on the discharge of excessive quantities
of chloride to the sewer system in Santa Clarita. As such, this operation would be required to
submit a Chloride Reduction Workplan that would be used to determine the facility's wastewater
chloride discharge limit. The company would be required to take all technology achievable and
economically feasible measures to limit the quantity of chloride discharged to the sewer.
ra R.,.lad Pmwr
SIP -15-2003 08:33am From-LACSD INDUSTRIAL WASTE 562 806 4224 T-668 P 002/002 F-815
City of Santa Clarita - 2 - September 15, 2003
However, following those steps, if the concentration of chloride in the wastewater is excessive,
the Districts may not be able to accept the wastewater.
if you have questions about the content of this letter, please contact David B. Whipple of the
Districts' Industrial Waste Section at extension 2909.
PCM:DBW:dfd
Very truly yours,
James F. Stahl
le,�e ge
Paul C. Martyn
Head, Industrial Waste Section
Doc9: #261276