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Home My WebLink About07/19/1990 SWC MinutesMOUNT PROSPECT RECYCLING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES JULY 19, 1990 PRESENT: Dick Bachhuber, Paul Hoefert, Joe Kubik, Brian Robertson, Ken Westlake and Mary Winkler. Glen Andler and Lisa Angell - Public Works Staff Mr. David Kowal, Assistant Village Manager, Wheeling Mr. Harold Rentschler, Mount Prospect resident ABSENT: Elizabeth Herbert, George Luteri and Steve Polit Chairman Westlake called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM and stated their would be a change in the agenda to accomodate Mr. Kowal; item #6 to follow item #4. The June meeting minutues were reviewed.and approved with the following corrections: 1) Page 3, 2nd paragraph, 3rd line; that EPA ... should read that US EPA.. " 4th line; could satisfy ... should read could satisfy some of the .... " It; objections. Add US EPA continues to oppose the project on grounds of threat to habitat and inadequate alternatives analysis. 2) Corrected spelling of Commissioner Hoefert's last name CITIZEN FORUM Mr. Harold Rentschler, President, Prospect Meadows Homeowners Association stated he attends the meetings to obtain updated information on the recycling program. Mr. Rentschler indicated members of the Homeowners Association often call him for recycling information. He also stated he would like to see more growth in the recycling program but does understand why it does not progress at the rate many of us would like it to. GOODWILL/VILLAGE OF WHEELING RECYCLING PROGRAM Mr. David Kowal, Assistant Village Manager, Wheeling made an informative presentation, to the Commission, on the curbside, collection program which provides for monthly collection of household items by Goodwill Industries. Before discussing the details of the program Mr. Kowal provided some general background on Wheeling's recycling program. The Village of Wheeling instituted its recycling program in May of 1989 with 5,000 homes. Since onset of the program there has been a consistent 87% participation rate which he feels maybe attributed to promotional efforts. Wheeling's involvement with Goodwill came about indirectly through their scavenger, Waste Management. Apparently Goodwill Industries approached Waste Management requesting their trucks be allowed to piggyback recycling trucks. Waste Management then presented the concept to Wheeling officials who agreed to the program with the following stipulations: 1) The contract agreement between Buffalo Grove/Wheeling Disposal Company (subsidiary of Waste Management) and the Village states the disposal company selects the charitable organization. 2) Charitable organization must take everything even if goods are not salvageable. 3) Buffalo Grove/Wheeling Disposal have to pick up any materials left behind by charitable organization by 7:00 PM (day of collection). 4) Truck of charitable organization must be well maintained and marked; must be staffed with at least one collector. 5) The charitable organization truck must follow the recycling truck. (A new bag and tax donation receipt are placed into the recycling bin of participants after collection.) Mr. Kowal stated when the program started in December of 1989 that Goodwill and Waste Management had done a great deal to promote the program including news coverage on the kick-off day. Prior to the first day of collection Goodwill staff went door to door providing residents with a bag for their household goods, a letter from the Wheeling Village President, a calendar indicating collection week (first full week of every month), and a fact sheet from Goodwill. Deemed a success, the Village of Wheeling recently renewed their agreement with Waste Management for the Goodwill collection program. The participation rate is generally 10% but has risen to 13% during the spring months. According to Mr. Kowal about 95% of the materials collected by Goodwill are salvageable. Mr. Kowal also added the Goodwill service is done at no cost to the Village other than his time. When questioned about any problem areas Mr. Kowal stated there was an initial problem of the tax receipts blowing away but this was resolved when adhesive was put on the back of the receipts. In response to the concern of theft he stated there is more of a problem with aluminum than household goods. Mr. Kowal was also asked if there were any figures as to how much material was diverted from the landfill because of the program and if the program increased the rate of participation in the recycling program. He did not have any data on diversion nor was he sure if there was any correlation between_ the Goodwill program and rate of participation. Mr. Kowal suggested we contact Mr.. Bob McMann at Goodwill, (312) 207-0040 or Mr. Lee Adleman, Waste Management, (708) 572-8800 for further information if we were considering a similar service. Following his presentation on the Goodwill program Mr. Kowal also updated the Commission on additional projects for Wheeling's recycling program. 1) Starting July 1 Wheeling added plastics to curbside collection 2) In the near future the Village will begin recycling office paper EXISTING PROGRAM STATUS REVIEW Glen Andler stated based on data from BFI approximately 15% of the homeowners are using the bag system. He also informed the Commission that there was a substantial -increase -in tipping fees at the Land and Lakes compost facility. Glen then distributed a memo announcing the current paper market. Due to the lag in the paper market the Village is not receiving any revenue for paper collected in the curbside pickup. In response to the Commission's decision not to expand yard bag sales to additional retailers, Glen distributed the letter he sent to businessess explaining this decision. MULTIFAMILY Mr. Andler informed Commissioners, BFI is considering the use of 90 gallon containers for co -mingled recyclables rather than dumpsters at multifamily sites. Where condusive, curbside collection of recyclables will be considered at multifamily units. The implementation of this type of collection raised discussion as to who should pay for the bin. One suggestion was to charge the property owner and then have he/she spread the cost of the bin to the renter over a 12 month rental period. This matter will need to be resolved prior to implementation of service. Glen indicated the cost for multifamily dwellings receiving curbside pickup would be $1.11 per unit. Glen will be meeting with Tom Kleczewski, BFI, to identify specifics on servicing these units. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Paul Hoefert reported he has met with Chamber representatives and they are still putting together a Task Force. There is a meeting scheduled for August 14 so the Task Force can meet with a few of the business firms currently doing paper collection. The plan at this time is to involve the businesses at Kensington Center and then Randhurst. Mary Winkler stated she spoke with a representative from Randhurst, Hugh Rafferty. Mr. Rafferty stated Randhurst has approached BFI about recycling but was told BFI's priority is the residential area. He indicated he would be very interested in establishing a recycling program at Randhurst. He feels the merchants would be very interested and that cardboard would be their biggest commodity. According to Mr. Rafferty Montgomery Wards already recycles corrugated cardboard. DRAFT QUESTIONNAIRE Ken Westlake submitted the residential waste questionnaire, he drafted, for typing. The questionnaire will be available for the Commissions review in the August recycling packet. DISCUSSION OF WHEELING PROGRAM Commission members shared their thoughts on Wheelings recycling of household goods through Goodwill. Although there was no final decision as to whether Mount Prospect would implement a similar program it was agreed that BFI should contact Goodwill to discuss feasibility. FACILITIES TOUR Glen Andler reminded everyone of the tour scheduled for Saturday, July 21; Land and Lakes Compost Facility, Mallard Lake Landfill and the proposed site of the balefill. OTHER BUSINESS Glen Andler informed the Commissioners that the American Public Works Association was sponsoring a solid waste seminar November 7 and 8 in Chicago. He encouraged the members to attend the seminar and stated Mount Prospect would have a display. The next Commission meeting was set for August 16 and there being no other business the meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM. Respectfully submitted, M. Lisa Angell