Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works Department
TO:
FROM:
CC:
David Corliss, City Manager
Charles Soules, Public Works Director
Tammy Bennett, Assistant Public Works Director
Kathy Richardson, Waste Reduction and Recycling Operations Supervisor
Craig Pruett, Solid Waste Operations Supervisor
Date:
May 30, 2012
RE:
Major Policy Issues for Curbside Recycling Request for Proposals (RFP)
Please place the following item on the June 12, 2012 City Commission regular agenda:
Provide direction to staff on curbside recycling services for the City of Lawrence and pass a
resolution of intent, if appropriate.
Background:
The Solid Waste Task Force final report was presented to the Lawrence City Commission on
February 28, 2012. The report focuses on providing strategic direction to manage the waste
stream to place increasing emphasis on waste diversion over time.
The Solid Waste Task Force (SWTF) recommended the goal of 50 percent recycling rate in
2020. To achieve this goal the SWTF recommended implementing a city-wide single-stream
residential curbside recycling program, if fiscally prudent and sustainable. The SWTF further
recommended evaluating costs and opportunities by soliciting a Request for Proposals (RFP) for
single-stream curbside recycling that would have two alternatives, to separately evaluate
collection and processing components. In other words, companies will be asked to submit
proposals for: turn-key operations (collection and material processing) and material processing
only (which would allow municipal collection of materials).
At the February 28, 2012 meeting, the City Commission directed staff to prepare a report on
RFP options that outlines major policy issues for a curbside recycling program.
State requirements for organized collection service establishment
On July 1, 2011, a House Bill concerning municipalities and establishing organized collection
services was enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas. The procedure and delayed
implementation period for establishing an organized solid waste or recycling collection service
are explained in the attached State Statutes 12-2035 and 12-2036.
Implementing a city-wide residential curbside recycling program for the City of Lawrence is
considered establishing an organized recycling collection service. A table and flow chart
summarizing the action steps required by the State law are attached.
City goals:
The RFP will seek a Proposer(s) who will work collaboratively with the City of Lawrence to:
 Increase the amount of material being diverted from the landfill.
 Increase recycling participation rates.
 Ensure a marketable end product from collected recyclables.
 Promote the City’s sustainability goals.
 Enhance community awareness of recycling.
Two service solution types included in Request for Proposals:
The curbside recycling RFP will include two service solution types:
(1) Turn-key recycling operations. Includes collecting recyclables curbside from customers
within the designated service area; delivering collected materials to designated
processing facility; purchasing, receiving, storing, delivering, and maintaining recycling
set-out containers; participating in public education of the recycling program; and
providing reports to the City concerning recyclable quantities and participation.
(2) Recyclables material processing and marketing only (which would allow municipal
collection of recyclables). Includes receiving, sorting, processing, storing, marketing,
selling, and transporting of recyclables collected from the City’s recycling program;
participating in public education of the recycling program; and providing reports to the
City concerning recyclable quantities. This specifically excludes collection services.
Proposers may submit multiple, alternate responses to each service solution type.
Major policy issues for curbside recycling Request for Proposals:
Outlined below are the curbside recycling program major policy issues for the City Commission
to consider and evaluate. Decisions on major policy issues will help define the Scope of Work
section in the RFP.
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Participation: subscription based or mandatory pay.
Collection details: identification of recyclable materials to be collected; collection method
(single-stream, dual-stream, source separated); type of collection containers (roll-out
carts, totes, bags); frequency of service (weekly or every other week).
Customers: single family households; multi-family households.
Public spaces: city buildings; parks; downtown recycling.
Collection service provided by: the City, one private hauler, multiple haulers.
Processing of materials: material recovery facility, direct haul or transfer station.
Pricing schedule and revenue sharing: cost proposal (cost per household per month);
revenue sharing from the sale of recyclable materials.
Responsibility for administrative services: customer complaints; billing.
Performance assurances: during contract term (recordkeeping, auditing, inspection
rights); after contract termination (performance bond, letter of credit, parent
guarantee).
Length of contract: number of years for initial term of contract; number of contract
renewal terms allowed, if any.
Additional information on these major policy issues is outlined in the attached matrix.
Draft Request for Proposals document:
The attached draft RFP for curbside recycling collection services outlines the proposal
information, minimum specifications, proposal content, evaluation criteria and the equal
opportunity agreement. Revisions to the RFP document will be completed as directed by the
City Commission.
Public education:
Education is a fundamental part of a successful recycling program. Education increases
participation and yields more materials recycled. The success of any educational campaign is
dependent on the campaign being ongoing and consistent.
The Solid Waste Task Force recommended development of a comprehensive outreach and
education program to facilitate the implementation of solid waste program changes. The City
and the Contractor(s), private MRF and/or hauler(s), should engage in the education program.
Addressing promotional and educational requirements of the Contractor(s) within the Scope of
Services in the RFP is recommended. The Contractor(s) can provide critical insight into
education programs by identifying problem routes, providing feedback on common
contamination problems, and giving technical input on specific materials to target for recovery.
The Contractor(s) can also provide specific items, such as funding, literature, or promotional
items, to support public education programs. In addition, the Contractor(s) can make public
appearances and participate in public service announcements.
Next steps:
If the City Commission adopts the resolution of intent, the City will develop a draft plan for
establishing an organized recycling collection service within the following 90-day period. Staff
will schedule planning meetings and invite haulers currently operating recycling collections
services in Lawrence to participate in these meetings. Meeting information will be posted on
the City’s website and online calendar. The City will also send notification by electronic mail to
anyone who desires such notification.
The draft plan for establishing an organized recycling collection service and a RFP document will
be submitted to the City Commission after the 90-day period following the adoption of the
resolution of intent. With City Commission approval, the City will solicit and evaluate proposals
for collection and processing components of a curbside recycling program.
Recommended action:
Provide direction to staff on curbside recycling services for the City of Lawrence and pass a
resolution of intent, if appropriate.