Recycling Enforcement

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Recycling Enforcement

• An Overview of Recycling Code Enforcement in
  Fairfax County

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Objectives

• Allow Us to Introduce Ourselves
• Summarize the recycling requirements for
• Fairfax County
• Outline the relevant ordinance, and our
  enforcement infrastructure and policies
• Discuss the next wave of outreach and other
  initiatives

Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program
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Fairfax County Solid Waste Management
ProgramOrganization
Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP)
Mission Statement Our mission is to protect the
public interest through solid waste management
planning and regulatory oversight of the countys
refuse ordinances. We provide efficient and
effective collection, recycling and disposal of
solid waste for our customers in an
environmentally responsible manner.
Division of Solid Waste Disposal and Resource
Recovery (DSWDRR)
Division of Solid Waste Collection and
Recycling (DSWCR)
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Chapter 109.1The Solid Waste Management Code
Regulates the storage, collection, transportation
and disposal of all solid waste.
Establishes recycling requirements for single
family and town homes, multi-family residential
properties and non-residential properties.
Requires permits and minimum service standards
for private solid waste and recycling collection
services.
Specifies enforcement consequences by type of
violation, establishes authority to impose
penalties and enter Consent Agreements.
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Chapter 109.1New Requirements for 2008
Collection of recyclables using a packer truck
can only be done if the vehicle is clearly
placarded for that purpose.
The mixing of source-separated recyclables with
refuse is, quite simply, against the law.
Flow control for MSW is re-established.
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Recycling in Fairfax County
EVERYONE Recycles Paper Cardboard!
Residential Properties (Single-Family Homes
Townhouses)
Available for Curbside Collection

• Mixed Paper and Cardboard
• Plastic Bottles/Jugs
• Container Glass
• Metal Food Containers
• Yard Waste (Grass, leaves, brush)

Multi-Family Residential Properties (Apartments
Condos)
Permitted for Construction Prior to July 2007
Receiving a Permit for Construction After July
2007 or later

• Mixed Paper and Cardboard

• Mixed Paper and Cardboard
• Plastic Bottles/Jugs
• Metal Food Containers

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Recycling in Fairfax County
EVERYONE Recycles Paper Cardboard!
Non-Residential Properties (Businesses, Schools,
Institutions)

• Must recycle mixed paper and cardboard
• Commercial establishments producing large
  amounts of other recyclable materials may be
  required to recycle additional materials.

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Trash Recyclables Collection

• Approximately 30 solid waste collection
  service providers are licensed to operate in
  Fairfax County.
• Residents also have the option to petition the
  Board of Supervisors to create a Sanitary
  District where residents receive weekly
  collection service from the county.

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Enforcement Resources

• Three FT inspectors and a FT Code Enforcement
  Supervisor

• Policy of Enforcement Action As Last Resort

• Informal actions - verbal warnings

• Formal written actions NOE, Warning Letter, NOV

• Negotiations, Use of Penalty Matrix, Consent
  Agreements

• Statements of Service, Disposal Agreements

• Litigation

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Enforcement Priorities

• Openly investigate EVERY allegation or complaint
  about recycling, and take enforcement action on
  EVERY violation
• Review annual recycling tonnage reports and meet
  to discuss w/ the bottom third of the class
• The impact of single-stream collection and the
  Countys legislative response

Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program
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Reaching Out to The NewestMembers of the
Regulated Community

• FT recycling outreach specialist, customized
  materials

• Outreach prioritized by target sectors
  currently apartment managers, hotels, responding
  to tenant calls

• Cold calling and responding to complaints

• Follow up with site visits and technical
  assistance

• Build relationships w/ and thru trade
  associations

• Requires persistence initial experience has
  been that these folks just dont get it!

• Referral to enforcement as a last
  resort