The Pay-As-You-Throw Solution – Increasing Local Recovery of Materials and Recycling Rates

1. The Pay-As-You-Throw Solution – Increasing Local Recovery of Materials and Recycling Rates Carolina Recycling Association April 10, 2013

2. Introduction • We’re all here this week to talk about how to increase recycling rates. • My goal with this talk is to show you how there is no better way to do that quickly and effectively than Pay As You Throw (PAYT). • PAYT encourages behavioral changes that drive numerous valuable outcomes, including in the following areas: • Increased municipal recycling • Diversion of recyclable material from the waste stream • Captureof challenging recyclables • Better, more innovative packaging choices • PAYT works in communities of all sizes and with all sorts of residences.

3. WasteZero – A Bit About Us • WasteZero partners with municipalities to deliver the most effective waste reduction and recycling programs in the United States. • Specialized trash bags to support waste reduction and recycling in ~800 towns and cities • Recycling bags for large cities and multi-family dwellings • Municipal garbage bags • Special event and benefit cleanup bags • Fully integrated Pay As You Throw programsin 53 towns and cities: • 46% solid waste reduction • 98% customer retention • Offices in Raleigh, NC; Murrells Inlet, SC; Cambridge, MA;and Chicago, IL

4. PAYT—What’s the Point? Pay-As-You-Throw Traditional Trash Collection Regardless of how much trash they generate Or a little… = $$$ = $$$ If residents generate a lot of trash Or how little… = $ $ $ = $$$ They only pay for the amount of trash they throw away. Residents pay one fixed fee for disposal. (An “all you can eat” approach) (A variable rate, equitable approach)

5. PAYT—How It Works 1 Treating trash services just like electricity, gas, and other utilities creates a direct economic incentive to recycle more and to generate less waste. The less individuals throw away, the less they pay. STEP Households pay only for what they throw away; trash is metered in a number of ways: 2 Program launches STEP

6. PAYT—Win Win • Easy to understand • Convenient and user-friendly • Fair, maintaining the proper incentives • Continuous positive behavior reinforcement • Effective communication materials and support tools • Happy Residents • Strong resident satisfaction • Quick implementation • Minimal or no capital expenditure • Immediate and long-term waste reduction • Minimal staffing requirements • Long-term financial viability • Support for community’s environmental objectives • Happy Municipal Officials =

7. The Pay As You Throw Solution With full service bag-based PAYT WasteZero Trash Metering™ doubles or triplesrecycling rates in our partner communities.

8. Increased Recycling Once PAYT programs are in place, increases in recycling are immediate—and long term.

9. Local Benefits Statewide implementation of Pay As You Throw in the Carolinas would have dramatic benefits for the recycling economy. North Carolina South Carolina Additional Recycling Captured 616,000Tons per Year 350,000Tons per Year NewJobs 16,000+ 10,000+

10. PAYT Programs in the South • Rural • Alamance County, NC • Coweta County, GA • Craven County, NC • Elbert County, GA • Oconee County, GA • Oglethorpe County, GA • Onslow County, NC • Rowan County, NC • Transylvania County, NC • Union County, NC • Urban • Austell, GA • Charlottesville, VA • Decatur, GA • Gainesville, FL • Lynchburg, VA • Plantation, FL • Poquoson, VA • Tulsa, OK

11. PAYT Programs in the South—Rural

12. PAYT Programs in the South—Rural (Cont.)

13. PAYT Programs in the South—Curbside

14. PAYT Programs in the South—Curbside (Cont.)

15. PAYT Programs in the South—Curbside (Cont.)

16. PAYT Programs in the South—Curbside (Cont.)

17. PAYT Programs in the South—Curbside (Cont.)

18. Real-Life Success StoriesDecatur, GA (population ~19,335) Background • While the City of Decatur already offered a recycling program, to meet state requirements to reduce landfill deposits, in 1997 it recognized a need to step up its waste management efforts. • The city rolled out its new PAYT system to residents in 1998. • Mail and outreach – Public hearings and neighborhood meetings • Local media – Three sizes and colors of WasteZerocustomized plastic trash bags • Residents citywide purchase WasteZero Trash Metering™ trash bags in grocery stores, hardware stores, and municipal offices. • As a result, the city saves more than $150,000 annually and applies that savings to fund local recycling events, raise awareness, and increase recycling rates even further. • Decatur Results With WasteZero: 1998 to Present • 42% reduction in solid waste • 79% increase in amount of recycling tonnage • 33% increase in compost • 100% increase in recycling rate* (from 10.7 to 22%) • More than $150,000 saved in disposal costs in their first year and each year since *Equals recycling/(solid waste + recycling)

19. Thank You! Les Evans Vice President, Municipal Partnerships Email: levans@wastezero.com Phone: 919 322 1221