Strategies for Addressing Contamination - Results from a Nationwide Study
Track
Potluck
Speakers
Ann Gibbs, SERA
Title
Research Analyst
Speaker Abstract
A recently completed study on successful strategies in addressing contamination examined more than two dozen options. The project examined “usual suspect” local choices related to program design, education, processing improvements and other options to identify those with the biggest impact and lowest cost. In addition to case study information, detailed modeling work examines the tradeoffs from including and excluding specific materials and specific “advanced” processing technologies (robots, optical scanners, etc.) on diversion, costs and profitability, and how the results are affected by market prices and disposal fees. The results of this study provide best practices to help communities and haulers make successful choices in cleaning up the recycling stream.