SWANA report addresses curbside recycling contamination reduction

The Silver Springs, Maryland-based Solid Waste Association of North America’s (SWANA’s) Applied Research Foundation (ARF) has released a new report, “Best Practices for Reducing Curbside Recycling Contamination and Code Enforcement,” aiming to provide guidance to waste and recycling managers to improve recycling quality while addressing enforcement challenges.

The report examines contamination in curbside recycling programs and offers outreach and enforcement strategies to reduce contamination.

“We often hear from SWANA members about their struggles with contamination in their recycling programs,” SWANA CEO Amy Lestition Burke says. “The ongoing problem of contamination creates costs and undermines the effectiveness of curbside recycling programs. Contamination can present a major safety concern when materials such as lithium-ion batteries, full aerosol cans and sharp items are placed in the recycling, making it imperative that we prompt recyclers to use their recycling bins only for accepted recyclable materials. The new report provides readers with actionable practices, enforcement options and case studies for reducing contamination.”

Key findings and recommendations include:

• Curbside cart tagging and nonservicing: Research shows that tagging contaminated carts combined with temporarily refusing service can reduce contamination rates by as much as 59 percent, with households 75 percent less likely to reoffend;
• Issuance of fines: While some communities use fines to deter contamination, penalties create administrative burdens and are not proven to be more effective than consistent cart rejection;
• Solid waste code enforcement: The report provides guidance on when to consider employing full-time code enforcers within public works departments or when to consolidate enforcement staff into a single agency; and
• Potential cost savings: Case studies demonstrate that investing in inspection and enforcement can generate savings by reducing contamination at materials recovery facilities (MRFs).   

The report also features examples from Orange County, Florida; Miami-Dade County, Florida; San Francisco; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Port Hueneme, California, to illustrate the range of approaches being implemented nationwide. 

“Cities and counties across the country are looking for ways to balance education, outreach and enforcement to address recycling contamination,” Lestition Burke says. “This report offers both the research evidence and the practical experiences that can guide decision-making.”

The report is available complimentary to SWANA members and available for purchase for nonmembers.