Dive Brief:
- An audit of San Diego, CA's sanitation collection system revealed that approximately one-quarter of the1.3 million tons of waste produced in the city is recycled. According to the report, three-quarters of the waste generated has the potential to be recycled or composted.
- City officials are looking to raise the recycling rates in order to meet state mandates and to reduce the volume of trash discarded into landfills. The local landfill, the Miramar, is expected to reach capacity in a little over a decade.
- The city auditor's office discovered that the main reason for low rates for both residential and commercial collections is that contracted haulers do not have to hit any minimum recycling rates. The waste companies also do not need to monitor customers to ensure that they meet recycling requirements.
Dive Insight:
The report suggested the city investigate ending San Diego's non-exclusive area system. Proponents argued that fleets would be run more efficiently, thereby saving on fuel costs, if haulers were granted exclusive rights during pickups. The franchise system would have to be altered by the mayor and city council. The auditors also recommended that the Environmental Services Department step in to conduct a costs/benefit analysis independently.
The audit concluded that San Diego should require higher recycling rates and make a goal to divert about 50% to 60% of the city's waste by 2020.
