December 7, 2009
Visit www.wasterecyclingnews.com to see Municipal Recycling Survey results for the 30 largest U.S. cities.
PHILADELPHIA
SAN ANTONIO4
SAN DIEGO
DALLAS
SAN JOSE
Population
1,449,634
1,328,984
1,266,731
1,240,499
939,899
Recycling rate (%)
42%
4%
54.85%
44.63%
60% 5
Calculated for year ended: June 2008
September 2006
June 2008
September 2008
June 2008
Rates includes:
Residential
Commercial
Other
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Rates by category:
Residential
Commercial
8.4%
53%
4%
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
44.63%
N.A.
53%
38%
Materials included
(see key below):
Paper
Metal
Plastic
Glass
Bulk
Automotive
Hazardous
Organic
Other
NP, OCC, MG, TB, MP, OP
ALC, TC
PET, HDPE
GCON
TEX, CND, APP, FRN, WOOD
AUTO, ABAT, TIRE, OIL
HH, ESRP, FLP
YARD, FOOD
NP, OCC, TB, MP, OP
ALC, TC
PET, HDPE, PB, BVC
GCON
WOOD, APP
ABAT, TIRE
HH
NP, OCC, MG, TB, MP, OP
ALC, TC
PET, HDPE, PB, BVC
GCON
TEX, CND, APP, FRN, WOOD
AUTO, ABAT, TIRE, OIL
HH, ESRP, FLP
YARD, FOOD
NP, OCC, MG, TB, MP, OP
ALC, TC
PET, HDPE, BVC
GCON
CND, WOOD
TIRE
YARD
NP, OCC, MG, TB, MP, OP
ALC, TC
PET, HDPE, PB, BVC
GCON
TEX, CND, APP, FRN, WOOD
TIRE, OIL
ESRP
YARD, FOOD
Total Tonnage Collected:
By City
By contracted haulers
1,285,500
51,326
1,234,174
35,715
33,361
2,354
68,511
68,511
N.A.
99,802
48,819
50,983
408,700
N.A.
408,700
Tonnage collected
per material:
Paper
Metal
Plastic
Glass
Yard Trimmings
Other
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
15,695
957
2,076
3,726
12,147
1,114
55,039
1,318
2,603
9,551
N.A.
N.A.
12,235
N.A.
N.A.
N.A.
30,604
56,963
102,400
5,500
6,500
23,000
185,800
85,500
Collection Methods:
Curbside
Frequency
Number of households
Is program mandatory?
How materials collected
Vehicles run on
alternative fuel
Program operated by
Yes
Bi-Weekly
550,000
Yes
Commingled
N.A.
Yes
Weekly
331,000
No
Commingled
N.A.
Yes
Bi-Weekly
255,000
Yes
Commingled
None
Yes
Weekly & Bi-Weekly
240,000
No
Commingled
None
Yes
Weekly
300,000
No
Commingled
N.A.
City crews
City crews/Private haulers
City crews
City crews
Private haulers
Dropoff
Number of sites
Program operated by
Yes
5
City crews
Yes
2
City crews
Yes
44
City crews
Yes
64
Private haulers
Yes
50
Private haulers
Multifamily dwelling
Program operated by
No
N.A.
No
N.A.
Yes
City crews
No
N.A.
Yes
Private haulers
Other
No
No
No
Citywide in-house office
recycling program
No
Size of containers used
N.A.
N.A.
42, 64 and 96 for curbside
N.A.
Various
Commercial recycling
programs offered:
N.A.
Pilot commercial collection
program with local university
Technical assistance for waste N.A.
audits and education
More than 20 franchised
haulers provide services to
commercial sector
Recycling goals:
Mandated goal
65% by 2011
No
State mandated 50% diversion No
by 2000
No
State mandated 50% by 2000
Non-mandated goal
No
40%
Zero waste by 2022
Goals met
No
No
Yes
Increase annual tons
collected to 43,500 &
avg. lbs./household/
month to 30 by 2011
No
No
Financial Information:
Annual revenue from the
sale of recyclables
Recycling budget
Overall solid waste budget
How are residents charged
for recycling
$1,700,000
$5,200,000
$93,000,000
Included in property taxes
$1,128,560
$5,600,000
$60,500,000
Portion of solid waste fee
$7,640,000
$9,300,000
$99,900,000
No charge
$2,100,000
$9,377,988
N.A.
Part of solid waste fee
N.A.
N.A.
$74,000,000
Monthly fee
Recycling Director:
Title
Scott McGrath
Acting Recycling Coordinator
Jo Zientek
Deputy Director
Telephone Number
Fax Number
Web site
215-686-5096
215-686-7812
recyclingpays.phila.gov
210-207-6413
210-207-6411
www.sanantonio.gov/enviro
John A. Barlow IV
Recycling Operations
Manager
214-671-1388
214-670-0277
www.dallascityhall.com
408-535-8550
408-282-6212
www.sjrecycles.org
E-mail address
scott.mcgrath@phila.gov
Stephen W. Haney Stephen Grealy
Assistant Solid Waste Manager Waste Reduction Program
Manager
858-492-5010
858-492-5089
www.sandiego.gov/
environmental-services/
sgrealy@sandiego.gov
stephen.haney@
sanantonio.gov
john.barlow@
dallascityhall.com
jo.zientek@sanjoseca.gov
NOTES: The recycling rate does not include methods such as incineration. Population is based on 2007 figures from the Bureau of the Census, U.S. Commerce Department. N.A. — Not available. 4. San Antonio did not provide updated information;
2006 data is shown. 5. The latest approved total diversion rate is 60% for San Jose for 2006 (by California Integrated Waste Management Board). Starting with 2007 calendar year, SB1016 will be using capita waste (pounds per person per day) as the
monitored target.
MATERIALS KEY: NP—newspaper; OCC—cardboard, corrugated containers; MG—magazines; TB—telephone books; MP—mixed paper; OP—office paper; ALC—aluminum cans; TC—tin cans; APP—appliances; PET—PET plastic; HDPE—HDPE
plastic; PB—plastic bags; BVC—beverage cartons, drink boxes; GCON—glass containers; TEX—textiles; WOOD—wood waste; CND—construction debris; FRN—furniture; AUTO—automobiles; ABAT—automobile batteries; TIRE—tires; OIL—oil, oil
filters, grease; FLP—fluorescent lamps; HH—household hazardous waste; ESRP—electronic scrap; FOOD—food waste; YARD—yard trimmings
