2003

Financial and Tonnage Overview

For the Dept. of Solid Waste in 2003

· Two thousand and three was an extremely productive and busy year for the Dept. of Solid Waste and Sanitation.

· Revenues for 2003 totaled $3,836,947. Revenues for 2002 were $3,633,524.28.

· The Dept. of Solid Waste and Sanitation averages about 3,500 tons of commercial trash a month, which equates to $200,000 per month.

This is 41,359 tons of trash a year.

· The residential transfer stations generated 4,519 tons of waste in 2003. The ARC MRF generated 170 tons of residue in 2003 – 2.66 percent.

· The residue rate in 2002 was 2.76 percent.

· The average percentage of material recycled during 2003 was 18.25 percent.

· During 2003, 46,048 tons of solid waste was land-filled. The total tonnage recycled from the ARC Recycling Center over the 12 months period was 6,463.52.

· Material recycled from the landfill in 2003 was 2,890.01 tons. In all, 9,354.01 tons of material was recycled.

Recycling Coordinator’s Report

The Recycling Coordinator created a 12-page activity book in 2003. The book is designed to enhance and promote Madison County’s recycling education program.

A number of elements came together in 2003 clearing the way for this publication. The Recycling Coordinator applied for and received an Education Grant offered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). This grant paid a portion of the Recycling Coordinator’s salary over a three-year period – about $7,500 each year – and among other things paid for half the cost of publishing the activity book -- $1,147.

Several donations to Madison County’s recycling and education efforts covered the remaining cost of the publication. Solvay Paperboard donated $1,000, which was earmarked for recycling education; Georgia Cunningham, a graphic artist, donated time and talent and Eagle Newspapers gave a full-page advertisement in all six Madison County weeklies for a combined donation of $3,688.

Sharon Driscoll, recycling coordinator, designed the layout of the book, created the activities and puzzles, wrote the text and took the photos. Driscoll worked closely with Cunningham, to create the three characters that appear on the cover and throughout the activity book.

The actual cost to print 10,000 activity books was $2,294.00 less the $1,147 from the recycling grant and $1,000 from Solvay Paperboard, which left a balance due from the county of $147.00 (the county’s cost to print the books). And, we must not forget the free graphic design services and the full-page advertisement in six newspapers that totals $3,688 (services donated to the county).

In March of 2003, Driscoll applied to the United States Copyright Office at the Library of Congress and received a Certificate of Registration (Copyright) for the Haz-man character. A Copyright for the entire activity book and the other two characters is in the works.

Each student who tours the Madison County Landfill and ARC Recycling facility receives an activity book. Books are also available in the lobby of the County Office Bldg. and at all town clerks offices and libraries in Madison County. The books are distributed at special events, such as the DeRuyter Fair and during personal appearances by the Recycling Coordinator such as area civic clubs and other community functions. Albert’s Restaurant in Cazenovia distributes the books to children who are waiting for their meals to be served.

Computer Recycle Day Programs

During 2003, the scope of Madison County’s computer Recycle Day was expanded to include other electronics such as cell phones, pagers, portable digital assistants and television sets. All of these devices are similar in that they contain a variety of hazardous materials that could pollute our water if disposed of incorrectly. The cumulative affect of these chemicals in our landfill could be a disaster.

Along with increasing the scope of Computer Recycle Day, the event was renamed E-Waste Recycle Day and increased from one day in the spring to two days: one day in the spring and one day in the fall. E-Waste Recycle day is held at the Buyea Rd. Convenient Station.

Since its inception in June of 2001, 376 residents have disposed of 15.27 tons or 30,540 pounds of electronic waste during one of the county’s scheduled Computer/E-Waste Recycle Days.

Household Hazardous Waste Program

The county’s Household Hazardous Waste Program continues as an important part of the Department of Solid Waste’s programs. Approximately 50 residents took advantage of this program in 2003, disposing of 2.46 tons of hazardous waste. Half of the HHW program is funded through a grant from the Dept. of Environmental Conservation.

A check for $5,450.00 was received from the DEC on January 13, 2004 for the period covering 12-31-01 – 12-31-02 for the Household Hazardous Waste program.

The Recycling Coordinator submitted a HHW Grant to the DEC on December 12, 2003 for the period 12/31/02 through 12/31/03 asking for payment of $4,726.4 – half of the cost to run the HHW program in 2003.

Madison County contracts with the Syracuse division of Environmental Products and Services of Vermont for HHW disposal.

The newly created superheroes Haz-man, Rhea Cycle and The Composter are featured in advertisements announcing Household Hazardous Waste programs, including Computer/E-Waste Recycling programs.

Visuals such as Madison County’s three superheroes help residents quickly recognize which program is being offered. Name recognition is important also, when people hear Haz-man swooping down to snatch up a cast off computer on the radio they know that Madison County is holding another Computer collection day. These, visual and name recognition are strong advertising tools.

Inkjet/Laser Cartridge Recycling Programs

The inkjet/laser cartridge recycle program is still moving along at a study rate. During 2003, 1,114 inkjet cartridges and 106 laser cartridges were recycled for a total of 364 pounds saved from the landfill. We received $571.09 for this material.

Brochures

During 2003, the Recycling Coordinator updated all of the county’s educational brochures. The Sharps brochure was completely reworked and the Recycling Guide was updated in February of 2003.

The Recycling Coordinator arranged to have the new Recycling Guide printed at a discounted rate in six local weeklies for the convenience of residents. The new guide is also available at town and village clerk’s offices, all Madison County libraries and in the lobby of the County Office Bldg.

Also updated this year were the Landfill Regulations brochure and the brochure for Commercial Permit Holders.

Dept. of Solid Waste Web Site

The Dept. of Solid Waste and Sanitation web site is monitored by the Recycling Coordinator and updated throughout the year, heralding new programs and noting updates of new recyclable items.

Recently, a slide show explaining the procedures used to construct the new landfill cell and liner system was added to the Department of Solid Waste web page. The slide show includes a site history of the landfill, along with information on alternative liner materials: Geo-synthetic clay liners, crushed glass and tire chips. There are pictures of the landfill, construction of the chipped tire layers and of the gas-to-energy project.

Another new addition to the Landfill web page is a Household Hazardous Waste reservation form that can be printed, filled out and mailed. This step has eliminated a two to three day wait for the form to be mailed. It is hoped that in the very near future the reservation form will be able to be filled out online and e-mailed to the recycling coordinator for completion, thus saving another two to three days in mailing delays. Our goal is to make disposal of HHW as uncomplicated as possible.

Public Service Announcements

Throughout the year the Recycling Coordinator places Public Service Announcements in area newspapers and on WMCR Radio. These spots serve as a reminder to residents regarding on going programs provided by the Dept. of Solid Waste and Sanitation or to notify residents of a change in a specific program.

Generally, we kick off the year with Christmas tree and gift-wrap recycling announcements. In April it was announced that the County Recycling Guide had been updated and was available on the Madison County Web site.

It was announced that as of April 5 commercial haulers operating in Madison County would be able to dispose of recyclables at the ARC Recycling Center on Buyea Rd. on Saturdays (a new service).

Holiday closings are announced along with Punch card expiration.

Computer or E-Waste Recycle Day is heavily advertised.

Landfill and Recycling Center Tours and Presentations

The Recycling Coordinator’s duties include conducting tours of the landfill and ARC Recycling Center. The number of visitors participating in landfill and recycling center tours were down in 2003 due to budget restraints at area schools. (See two-page attachment for four-year analysis of tour participation)