April 23, 2012
SUBJECT: Single Stream Curbside Recycling Project Update
Phase 1 -- Holiday Hills Subdivision
Dear Holiday Hills Customers:
In an effort to keep you informed of activities associated with the Single Stream Curbside Recycling Project in your neighborhood WMU offers the following information update regarding the project as well as direction moving forward.
Since beginning Phase 1 of the Recycling project August 5, 2011, through March 30, 2012, 344 out of 539 households have participated, setting out recyclables at least once . A total of 46.92 ton tons of recyclables were collected during this period. Cash receipts for this material from the Bluegrass Regional Recycling Corp have totaled $12,359.12; landfill savings have totaled $882.10. During this same period, a total of 297.88 tons of material from the neighborhood was landfilled.
With the information collected during the pilot project as well as other factors in the rapidly changing solid waste market, the WMU Commission has determined that a comprehensive study of the solid waste utility is warranted and has authorized staff to move forward with a study that includes request for Statements of Qualifications from consulting firms for professional services relating to a comprehensive study of the solid waste utility operations at Winchester Municipal Utilities (WMU). This work will involve a broad look at current solid waste practices including the Recycling Program. Other items to be addressed include but are not limited to the following.
- Evaluation of current services, policies and procedures
- Evaluation of current collection and transfer station infrastructure and practices
- Evaluation of existing equipment
- Evaluation of workforce development issues
- Comparison of services with surrounding cities through surveys
- Evaluation of current user charge rate structures, rate classifications and schedules
- Evaluation of current revenues, expenses, and debt service requirements
- Evaluation other non-user charge schedules specific to the solid waste utility function including, but not limited to tipping fees, container rental rates, and trash collection fees
- Cost of service analysis
- Sufficiency of current rates/operating fund balance
- Impact of any additional equipment/facilities proposed (i.e. single stream curbside recycling and household hazardous waste drop-off services)
- Comparison of cost with surrounding providers
- Recommendations
It is expected with completion of this study that WMU will finalize direction moving forward for the single stream curbside recycling program. A selection of the consulting firm for this study is scheduled for the regular meeting of the WMU Commission on May 17, 2012. WMU anticipates that the study will take approximately 3-4 months to complete during which time WMU will continue to provide its current recycling services (Friday pick-up) to you. Based upon the study and other data WMU will make a determination of future recycling services it will offer.
Should you have any questions or require additional information you can contact me at (859) 744-5434.
Respectfully,
Michael H. Flynn
General Manager
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On 8/5/2011 WMU picked up 172 recycling curb-it’s for a total of 2.26 tons (4520 lbs)
9 recycling curb-it’s were tagged and left because of garbage and/or yard waste in them.
12 recycling curb-it’s were tagged but picked up with explanation of recycling instructions.
There were several brown (solid waste) curb-it’s out for pick up today and all of those were left.
Please review the following information about curbside recycling:
* NO brown (solid waste) curb-it’s will be picked up on recycling day
* NO pizza boxes accepted
* NO paper towels, plates, cups of any kind
* NO aerosol cans
* NO yard waste / limbs are accepted in recycling curb-its
* NO plastic bags of any kind. All recycling items must be loose or in brown paper bags.
* Place shredded paper in brown paper bags.
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The City of Winchester and Winchester Municipal Utilities is the recipient of a 2010-2011 Kentucky Pride Grant in the amount of $58,990.00. This grant will enhance WMU’s ability to recycle more efficiently with the purchase of new containers and an ejector compactor. Below is the breakdown of how the grant will be used.
Plastic Container $5,200
Cardboard Container $5,500
Galbreath Ejector Compactor $36,990
Newspaper Container $5,200
Mixed Paper Container $5,200
Advertising $900
Thanks to Carla Crane, Recycling Task Force Chair and John Stone, WMU Solid Waste Supervisor for their efforts in obtaining the grant.
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