Waste Hauler FAQs

We use the EPA’s “Measuring Recycling: A Guide for State and Local Governments” Table B 

We also use EPA's “Measuring Recycling: A Guide for State and Local Governments” Table A 

Garbage haulers who provide both waste and recycling services for businesses may claim recyclable materials businesses ship themselves by using the additional claim form or the business self-shipped form. A verifiable weight ticket must be available if requested by the Sustainability Coordinator. In addition, materials and processes must be approved on the EPA’s “Measuring Recycling: A Guide for State and Local Governments” Table B .(57.031)

What a waste hauler brings to the landfill is generally coded as “MSW” and counts towards a hauler’s total MSW. Occasionally waste haulers’ customers generate waste which is not considered by the EPA to be Municipal Solid Waste. The EPA’S “Measuring Recycling: A Guide for State and Local Governments” Table A has a list of examples. It is the waste hauler’s responsibility to request an exemption for this material by filling out the MSW Case-by-Case Exemption Form and returning it to the Sustainability Coordinator to have the tonnage removed from the hauler’s MSW total.

Required recyclables include paper, cardboard, chip board, plastics, metal containers, newspaper, and electronics. Waste haulers shall not collect solid waste containing visible required recyclable materials for disposal. Instead, haulers must leave a note explaining why solid waste was not collected. The Sustainability Coordinator has free sample “oops” stickers for this purpose that can be picked up by haulers. 

(57.001, 57.032) 

All licensed haulers must have: 

1) A pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) rate to reward people who reduce their level of solid waste collection service based on volume or weight.  

2) A rate that provides customer incentives to reduce weekly solid waste collection.  

3) A rate that includes the cost of solid waste, using the above elements, and recycling collection services.  
(57.078)  

Residents:  
Haulers must collect recyclable material from residential customers at least twice per month and offer single-stream recycling. (57.027)  

Multi-Family Housing:  
The owner of every apartment or multi-family housing unit must 1) facilitate recycling in each building by providing adequate single-stream recycling containers in a convenient location, 2) provide recycling along with garbage service, 3) distribute written recycling information to tenants at least annually, and 4) post recycling information in a conspicuous place available to all residents. (57.029)  

Businesses:  
Commercial and business establishments, government facilities, entertainment facilities, and schools shall separate from the waste stream all materials banned from the landfill generated at the establishment. Recyclable materials shall not be deposited at the sanitary landfill, and must be collected at m twice per month. Nonresidential sites may use either single-stream, dual-stream, or source-separated methodology for collection and management of recyclable materials. (57.028, 57.030) 

The Solid Waste Planning Board is a Mayor-appointed board that reviews current waste stream landfill users and future recycling efforts. It also assesses current ordinances and recommends appropriate changes. Two board positions  are reserved for waste hauler/recycling industry representatives. When there is a board vacancy, the City will send a news release. Please check the board’s page for information on past and future meetings: Solid Waste Boards and Commissions

(57.122)  

The City hosts occasional solid waste industry meetings. Haulers are typically notified via email. To add yours to the mailing list, contact the Sustainability Coordinator. You may also check the industry page for information on past and future meetings: Solid Waste Boards and Commissions