Ferndale's Recycling Rate Lower than Most in Area
Residents and the city are "not doing as much as they could," SOCRRA's general manager said.
As environmentally conscious as Ferndale residents may have felt during Green Week in April or during the summer Green Cruise, the city’s recycling rate during the past decade falls near the bottom of the pack compared with the 12 other communities served by Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority.
Data from SOCRRA spanning the past decade shows that Ferndale’s rate has fluctuated since its 2004 rate of 5.22 percent, peaking at 8.23 percent in 2010.
(Find recycling data for Ferndale and other SOCRRA cities here.)
But Ferndale is currently placed fifth from the bottom in recycling rates ahead of Clawson, Lathrup Village, Oak Park and, ranked last, Hazel Park, and it hasn't ranked that high since 2003. Hazel Park's recycling rate for 2010 was 5.24 percent.
Jeff McKeen, 56, general manager at SOCRRA for nine years, said recycling rates correlate to a community’s affluence and number of rental properties.
“We haven’t done any scientific analysis to find this out,” he said. “But 20 years ago, we gave a recycling bin to every household. A lot of people have come and gone, so those bins aren’t there anymore.”
McKeen said a single-stream recycling method is currently being tested in Huntington Woods using an economic stimulus grant to fund the experimental program.
“It allows people to throw everything into the cart and not have to sort it out,” he said. “That makes it easier for the residents, and it makes it easier for the drivers.”
McKeen said Huntington Woods’ Department of Public Works is very involved in the city’s recycling, and that may be why its recycling rate leads the SOCRRA communities at 18.57 percent.
“They’ve got a person that probably spends half her time educating people on how to recycle," McKeen said. "That does produce better results. Other communities aren’t placing as much emphasis on it.”
Besides environmental reasons for increasing recycling rates, McKeen said lowering city waste costs could be a consideration in setting a higher recycling goal.
“We pay our communities $30 a ton for the recycling they deliver to us, and we charge the communities $26 a ton for the trash they deliver to us,” he said.
In the 2010 fiscal year, SOCRRA picked up 14,411.39 tons of waste in Ferndale, including recycling tonnage. McKeen said he believes Ferndale’s recycling rate would improve if the city became more involved, and he said the calendar with environmental tips, released by the DPW, is the best outreach he’s seen recently.
“I think everyone perceives Ferndale as a ‘green’ community, but if you look at recycling, they’re not doing as much as they could,” he said. “We’ve looked at people’s trash in all 12 communities. About a third of what people throw away could have been recycled.”
Resident Anne Zemba, 36, has lived in Ferndale for 34 years and said she takes full advantage of the city’s curbside pickup recycling program. She said she is surprised to hear more residents aren’t doing the same.
“I find it hard to believe, in a way, because even today when I was driving home, there are so many recycling bins everywhere,” she said. Zemba said her and her husband’s recycling efforts have reduced the amount of trash they take out weekly by about two-thirds. She said she thinks recycling would increase with more city involvement.
“You can’t force people to do anything, but I think when you raise awareness, they make the right decision,” she said.
Ferndale’s DPW Director Byron Photiades, 60, said he does not think much could be done by the city to motivate residents to recycle.
“I don’t think it’s a matter of trying to educate the public. It comes down to a personal choice,” he said. Photiades said he wasn’t sure how many residents were aware of the credit arrangement with SOCRRA.
“I don’t have an answer,” he said. “But I do believe if you told them, look, it’s going to save the city some money, I don’t think it’s going to get people to recycle.”
Photiades said that if every community recycled at the rate of Huntington Woods, the credit applied by SOCRRA would probably drop as market demand for recyclables decreased. He said he also fears that the SOCRRA facility wouldn’t be able to handle the load.
“You may have expenses that are greater than what SOCRRA is able to sell,” he said.
Changing city yard hours or offering door-to-door recycling bin drop-offs are a couple of ideas Photiades said might affect the recycling rate.
“I think you’d probably increase your rate if you dropped off recycling bins. How many people are going to take off from work or come in on their lunch or whatever?” he said. “I’ve made these recommendations in the past. And they don’t get funded.”
Katherine Green
6:27 am on Monday, June 20, 2011
I am Shocked at this!!! How is this possible, everyone I know in Ferndale recycles. How can you not recycle, it is a no brainer!! What can we do to encourage people to recycle??? What are these statistics from? Do they count ALL the homes in Ferndale? I would guess about atleast 20% of them are empty.
Ryan Meray
9:31 am on Monday, June 20, 2011
I have two recycling bins nearly full to the brim every week, but only end up dragging a single garbage can to the curb. But I also went out of my way to find out how to get a recycling bin when I bought my house a few years ago.
The city should subsidize the cost of recycling bins so that every resident in the city can have one. There's a net gain of $56 for every ton of waste that is recycled instead of trashed. If each household reduces their trash even 10%, how soon would those $10 bins be paid for and earning the city money? I'm sure those bins cost less than $10 in bulk, so it would probably be a very fast turnaround on their investment.
I haven't found any good numbers for annual household trash volume, but supposedly the average American throws away 4.5 pounds of trash per day. If the average household in Ferndale is 1.5 people, that's 2400 lbs of trash annually. If 240 lbs of that ends up being recycled, that's $13.44 less on the city's trash bill per household.
So it's pretty safe to assume that if they subsidized the cost of bins for the whole city, it would definitely pay for itself in the first year and then become a nice source of wiggle room in the budget in subsequent years.
Mark Blackwell
9:42 am on Monday, June 20, 2011
One idea might be to send out a yearly explainer to folks so they know about it, rather than bury it on a one-pager in the middle of the City of Ferndale circular. I've been in Ferndale for a little over 16 years and I didn't start recyclying until about 8 years ago ... not because I didn't want to. Because I stayed ignorant for that long as to how to start.
Residents have a responsibility to care about their community, and to educate themselves. For that, I am accountable. I had no excuse for not doing the research except that it just didn't occur to me that Ferndale even offered such a thing.
But the City could be doing a better job promoting it. And yes, maybe after 20 years ... it's time to pry open those cash stingy fingers and treat everyone to a new bin who doesn't have one.
T. Scott Galloway
10:12 am on Monday, June 20, 2011
My household both recycles and composts our household waste and, even with a baby, rarely have more than a single can at the curb. We have two recycling bins that are always packed to near overflowing.
A little perspective from this year's budget and Headlee Override election.
One of, if not the, biggest complaints received by the City from residents complaining about wasteful spending is the very expenditure cited by SOCRRA as the most effective encouragement of citizen recycling: the DPW calendar. In response to the citizen outrage the calendar has been cancelled.
So - to those who want the City to spend more on outreach to citizens about recycling, please make your voices heard at city council meetings. Help us to determine what city service we should sacrifice in order to subsidize recycling bins and cover the cost of mailing information on recycling.
BTW - every year the city does provide a 50% subsidy for the purchase of recycling bins for one month. I forget what month, but it is always announced at council meetings and is, I believe, also noted on WFRN and our website.
Terry Parris Jr.
10:21 am on Monday, June 20, 2011
Scott: for 2010, the half off bins month was November. Not sure if it is the same every year.
Terry Parris Jr.
10:36 am on Monday, June 20, 2011
And Helena Rose (the reporter) just reminded me that we had a half-off bin month this April.
Ardy
10:53 am on Monday, June 20, 2011
Education and outreach could be performed by the City's Sustainability Committee. Instead of giving the usual worn-out "tips" at Council meetings, they should be at every public event promoting recycling and sustainability.
Terry Parris Jr.
11:00 am on Monday, June 20, 2011
Ardy: I disagree with you. There is only so much someone can say in three minutes. And those tips are promoting recycling and sustainability, I disagree they are worn out. Additionally, every month they hold a Green Tuesday with a different topic of sustainability. They also did a great amount of outreach during the week of Earth Day. It was called Green Week and had events are various locations promoting and educating on sustainable living.
Of course there can always be more. And, the FESC meetings are always open, so you can always go there and provide your feedback on how the FESC might be able to improve its outreach.
Ardy
4:22 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
Mr. Parris - The items presented at meetings are very "boiler-plate" and could be more informative. There is practically nothing new presented that a citizen couldn't find in a newspaper. Besides, I thought part of the function of the FESC was to advise the City on sustainability? Where is the grant writing? Why are there still PAR bulbs being used in our street lights? I know we have some LEDs in place but in other area PAR bulbs should be replaced on failure with LEDs; the savings and costs would be made up very quickly with that switch.
Sustainability is a very necessary part of our future. Outreach and education should take place year-round. The numbers presented in this article reflect that we are missing a vital part of improving our City; both financially and environmentally. Let's go one further; instead of subsidized recycle bins (15.00 really isn't that much) how about offering subsidized compost bins? How come we do not have more bike racks around town? Where are the public lockers near markets/stores for backpacks? How about some bike lanes on Woodward, 8 mile and 9 mile (I know this one is tough but why not try)? How come gas stations are allowed to gouge their customers by charging for use of their air pumps? I know that the Mobil on Woodward is the only one in town that does not charge but they are grossly high on everything else they sell; and the air pump works about half of the time.
These are the things FESC should be talking about.
Terry Parris Jr.
4:37 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
Are you looking for bi-weekly presentations from the FESC? And, of course, everything could be more informative. I also think that these "boiler-plate" topics, the basics, sometimes need to be reiterated. Yes, we need education and outreach on being more green and sustainable, but in the end, no one can force anyone to recycle. So by discussing the basic ideas of reduce, reuse, recycle, and their benefits, I think it's a positive. The FESC's tips, though you don't think they are enough, I feel are a start. It introduces the idea of being sustainable, of being green, and it's opportunities -- something that not everyone thinks about. If you want to learn more, go to a green Tuesday event, go to an FESC meeting, or be proactive and research yourself on the Internet. I've been to Green Tuesday events and I was present during Ferndale's Green Week - plus the pilot energy efficient program that came to Ferndale, came in part from the leadership of the FESC. In any event, at these happenings resources were made available for residents to learn about being green and sustainable. As for everything else, valid questions. And, as for anything else, there could always be more. I'm sure council, and the FESC, would love for you to come and voice your opinion at a council meeting on what the city should be doing. The second and fourth Monday's of each month, during public comment, has an open invite to Ardy.
Ardy
4:54 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
"Are you looking for bi-weekly presentations from the FESC?" I'm looking for much more than that. Why not go into the classroom with presentations? How about being available to local businesses to come in and present sustainability methods to managers and employees?
More web presence, why not Twitter daily/weekly sustainability methods?
"The second and fourth Monday's of each month, during public comment, has an open invite to Ardy."
I have commitments that hold me out of Council meetings and not able to hold a board position; however, I have toyed around with the idea of serving on the FESC if there was an opening. I haven't be able to attend in many years; however, I catch up on almost every one of them through the cable channel. I do know that Council members read this board as well and perhaps this medium is a more effective channel in the meantime, IMHO.
Terry Parris Jr.
5:03 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
I believe there is one more opening left on the FESC. I think there is one thing we have to keep in mind when it comes to these boards and commissions. Like it or not, each of these members have full time jobs. It would be great if the FESC -- or any board, commission, group, etc. -- could pursue every single avenue available to get the word out about whatever topic. But it's important to remember that it's not always feasible to do every avenue. For instance, if you were on the FESC, would you have the time to hold more than bi-weekly presentation, go into the classrooms, be sustainable and green consultants to businesses, employees and managers? (I agree with you that the FESC could have more of a web presense, however.)
Again, I must say that there can alway be more info, education, outreach, but let's keep it in perspective.
With that said, Ferndale is part of the green schools program. JFK just recently ranked in the top ten of green schools in Oakland County: http://ferndale.patch.com/articles/john-f-kennedy-school-lauded-for-environmentalism
Start 'em young.
Ardy
9:22 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
"For instance, if you were on the FESC, would you have the time to hold more than bi-weekly presentation, go into the classrooms, be sustainable and green consultants to businesses, employees and managers?"
Absolutely. However, I do understand that my schedule may be unique and not a lot of people can do that. Realistically, you can get around scheduling issues and I am well aware that folks have full time jobs.
I think this is a good point for me to state that I do not think that the FESC is doing a bad job; we're very lucky in this great City to have them here. I just feel that they are under utilized. I honestly hope that Council makes this committee permanent in the very near future.
Susan
2:13 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
The recycling statistics gathered by Ms Rose and SOCCRA help present a very clear picture. The next time the city promotes GREEN-ness they should include these facts. It puts a positive spin on the relative inconvenience of recycling. People are more likely to respond if they know what to do AND they know the instant benefits.
Linda Baker
2:41 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
It's just like with so many other things - start with the children - when mine were small they knew what was recycled and what was thrown away----make it a positive habit that they will do for all their lives. Our schools recyle to a small amount - could we have someone travel to the schools and promote recycling to the kids, perhaps a school prize could be involved? Does the city recycle at the City Hall, Rec. Center and DPW - everyone wants to be sure there are no new taxes but we should be required to recycle like in some communities where the truck has a scanner to see how often bins are picked up otherwise they could pay an additional rate for their garbage pick up if they didn't want to participate in recycling...that would ruffle some feathers!
Ardy
4:26 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
I think perhaps it would be very informative if there was a way to show each household how much money they could help the City with through recycling.
Deanne
6:51 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
I'm feeling what Linda is saying about requiring residents to recycle. In some communities people pay a garbage pick up rate based on how much trash they throw away. If you put a dollar amount on it, people will pay attention!...and make a greater effort. If it's financially beneficial to the city to recycle more, there's no excuse to not educate residents.
When I walk though the neighborhood on garbage day, I see so much stuff in the garbage that can be recycled that it burns me up!...especially things like appliances that can be taken to SOCCRA. Maybe we could have a volunteer group going door-to-door through neighborhoods on garbage days and pass out information about recycling. I'd do it!
As for the kids...the schools could take them on a field trip to a garbage dump...
Ardy
9:27 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
"When I walk though the neighborhood on garbage day, I see so much stuff in the garbage that can be recycled that it burns me up!...especially things like appliances that can be taken to SOCCRA"
I agree. I've often thought about "gorilla recycling". Show up with a bin/s, go through that garbage can and make it happen. Of course the residents would keep the bins. I shake my head at the amount of pizza boxes I see in garbage cans.
This issue is that recycling has to become just as easy, if not easier, than throwing stuff in the garbage can. Streamlining, like what is going on in Huntington Woods, is the way forward. But honestly, what we have here is almost as good. I have five bins and a small metal garbage can. I only put stuff out to the road when these containers are full. Most of the time I'm skipping a week or two of pickups.
Linda Baker
11:04 pm on Monday, June 20, 2011
Ardy - I've been told by SOCRRA that pizza boxes that have grease/residue on them can't be recycled because they can contaminate/foul the other paper and then a whole batch is lost. I frequently put clean parts of the cardboard into the bins and throw away the rest. Their office is great at answering specific questions about what can/can't go into the bins - I will miss the city newsletter and wish something else could have been cut to save $ - I think we have gotten a lot of peoples attention with this conversation and hope changes for the better occur - glad to see this many comments and suggestions on one of my favorite topics - I even vermicompost in my home (worms) and enjoy showing off my worm bins to people who are sure it must be dirty/smelly/gross - it is none of them! All of my fruit and veggy scraps/peels etc as well as shreaded papers are fed to my worms who in turn give me good soil for my plants without attracting rats , which can happen with outdoor composting - only my pineapple and watermellon rinds go outside! True, I'm very careful to mirowave the scraps to prevent getting fruit flies and use an old blender to grind up the scraps so they are eaten quickly but it really isn't that much work once every week or so.
Mark Blackwell
8:24 am on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Just FYI the scraps will get eaten whether or not they're ground to a pulp. And fruit flies are just a part of the process. It's a good idea to keep the compost tumbler and worm bin away from the house so they're not a bother.
Ardy
9:20 am on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
"Just FYI the scraps will get eaten whether or not they're ground to a pulp. And fruit flies are just a part of the process." Plus, think of the carbon output from the electricity consumed by those devices. Those two things are energy hogs.
"I've been told by SOCRRA that pizza boxes that have grease/residue on them can't be recycled because they can contaminate/foul the other paper and then a whole batch is lost." I'm confused because I've been putting those boxes in the bins for years now and not one "bad recycler". I figure if they don't take it at the road, which has happened with some items in the past, then it's garbage. SOCCRA is an interesting beast. I've taken concrete there for recycling and each time they weighed my vehicle. Every time I had vastly different amounts but every time I was weighed and charged the same amount. It's too bad that my material has a little amount of metal wire in it or I would have taken it to the DPW yard for free. Also, recycling electronics there can be a hoot sometimes. One time the person in charge flipped out on everyone because he was backed up a little. We were all willing to wait; no one was in a rush, but this guy just totally lost it. Not cool. I agree; this is one of my favorite topics. There always could be more done. One of the few reasons I will not be voting for any school bond extension is that I didn't see any moves toward sustainability. Why isn't there any renewable purchases? There is grant money for stuff like this.
michael J
2:29 pm on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
You people are starting to sound like a nest of social over talk. City of Hamilton Ont. stopped with hauling everytning to thew dump they were 95% full, they converted there collection yard, with convetors, magnets, etc. now the "YARD" is not collecting any monies from the general budget, every thing is collected, separated at the yard, and now out of what was the total trucks before, only 5% make it to the land fill. They are self efficient, payting wages, new trucks, etc, out of what is brought in.
California, now have 4 cities on 100% recycling, soon to go State wide, with fines, working from reminders up to 500.00 fines. 100% rcycling, means if a back of rubbish is infront, it better be rubbish, I am hearing all the back peddaling, how can we, what would happen, it takes a chief to say "we will"
michael J
1:40 pm on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I see the foot draggers have set in, what if's, we might not be able, all the fence posts sitters, don't be afraid that you will flood SOCCRA, do your part, and recycle all you can, then it becomes a known, that you can flood, or they can handle, as of now they say they are not tested as to capacity, who knows, perhaps not enough is generated to get better prices etc. or will get better prices when they can show or maintain quantity. But talking your self out of it, by saying amongst other things, "we might flood SOCCRA" wont cut it. it is very hard to measure some thing that is not done to the fullest.
chris johnston
1:35 pm on Friday, July 22, 2011
Just wanted to bump up the recycling thread again. Here at the WAB we've been recycling our bottles (and much much more) for nearly 14 years. The five blue industrial sized dumpsters behind the place, while sometimes unsightly, are completely filled every week with recyclables. That's stuff from The WAB, The Emory and The Loving Touch. One of the biggest components of those are liquor bottles. I'm not sure there's another restaurant/bar in Ferndale that recycles these. Why, I'm not sure: they fit back into the boxes so easily and both the glass and the cardboard can be recycled. And pound for pound there's a ton of bang for your buck. Knowing this I'd encourage other bar/restaurant owners to do the same. And as a consumer I would hope people would also encourage it as well.
chris johnston
1:36 pm on Friday, July 22, 2011
I also want to applaud the people from Car Trucking, who handle the city's trash and recycling pick up. They have been nothing less than top notch to deal with from my personal experience.