4c - Battery Recycling Pilot Program (Update)Protecting our community's health and the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services.
www.cmsdca.gov
Costa Mesa Sanitary District
….an Independent Special District
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
Via: Scott Carroll, General Manager
From: Javier Ochiqui, Management Analyst
Date: December 10, 2013
Subject: Battery Recycling Pilot Program (Update)
Summary On January 12, 2013, CMSD staff presented the Board of Directors with a final report
regarding the 2012 Telephone Book Recycling Program. The final report illustrated a
decrease in the total number of books that have been collected over the past four
years and the Board suggested that we look at other fundraising options for schools. On July 16, 2013, the Board of Directors directed staff to implement a Battery Recycling Pilot Program that focused on collecting used alkaline batteries from
schools. Staff is providing the Board of Directors with a program update.
Staff Recommendation
That the Board of Directors receive and file the report. Analysis The following five schools are currently participating the Battery Recycling Pilot
Program:
1. Estancia High School
2. Kline School 3. Christ Lutheran School
4. Davis Magnet
5. Waldorf Elementary
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So far, we have collected over 1,600 pounds of alkaline batteries. Teachers and
school volunteers enjoy participating in the program. Below is a chart illustrating the total weight (in pounds) per school:
Christ Lutheran with 242 students and Davis Magnet with 532 students have collected
the most batteries. The monetary rewards will be based on the total pounds collected
divided by the total number of students. Therefore, Christ Lutheran is in the lead with 2.8 pounds of batteries per student.
The Battery Recycling Pilot Program began in September 2013 and it will go through
May 2014 (8-month program). The program currently works as follows:
1. CMSD staff delivers small battery recycling buckets to the schools. OC Waste &
Recycling donated several small battery buckets to be placed in the main office
and/or certain classrooms.
2. CMSD staff picks up the batteries on a monthly basis (the 1st pick up was in
October 2013). 3. CMSD staff uses a scale to weigh and document each bucket.
4. CMSD staff collects the batteries, takes them to CMSD Headquarters (HQ), and
places them in a 35-gallon cart.
5. CR&R picks up the batteries at HQ.
6. At the conclusion of the pilot program, a CMSD Director presents a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place check to all schools that collected at least ¼ of a container during the
entire 8-month program.
CMSD staff will continue to monitor the Battery Recycling Pilot Program on a monthly basis to ensure that the program is cost-effective and feasible. CMSD staff will inform
the Board of Directors as soon as possible if changes are needed to the program .
This program allows children of all ages to continue to learn about recycling and
Board of Directors December 10, 2013
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conservation efforts in school. CMSD hopes that they will apply these principals at
home, teach their families, and become good stewards of the environment.
The District will continue the Telephone Book Recycling Program for another year until
the results of the Battery Recycling Pilot Program can be analyzed. If the pilot
program is determined a success, it will replace the Telephone Book Recycling
Program in 2014.
Strategic Plan Element & Goal This item complies the with objective and strategy of Strategic Element 2.0, Solid
Waste, which states:
“Objective: Our objective is to manage the collection and recycling of residential trash
in the most economical and environmentally friendly way.”
“Strategy: We will do this by looking for ways to improve efficiencies, achieve high
customer satisfaction, and considering prudent new recycling methods.”
Legal Review
Not applicable at this time.
Environmental Review Having the District establish a convenient method for school children and families to
dispose of batteries is an approximate equivalent alternative to having the battery
users find another disposal location. If anything, the collection by the District prevents
batteries from being illegally placed in the trash and making their way to landfills. As
presented, the District’s battery recycling program is not a disturbance of the environment directly or indirectly similar to grading or construction and is not a project
under CEQA or the District’s CEQA Guidelines.
Financial Review For Fiscal Year 2013-2014, the Telephone Book Recycling program budget is
$10,000. Staff will spend approximately $7,000 on the Telephone Book Recycling
program and $3,000 on the Battery Recycling Pilot program. On July 16, 2013, the
Board approved an additional $6,000 from the undesignated solid waste fund in order
to fully fund the Battery Recycling Pilot program.
The budget will be used as follows:
Fundraiser Rewards $ 2,600
Materials and Supplies (flyers, decals,
scale, etc.). $ 1,000
Shipping Costs * $ 3,400
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Disposal Costs** $ 2,000
Total Program Budget $ 9,000
Categories Rewards
1st Place $ 1,000
2nd Place $ 600
3rd Place $ 400
4th Place (minimum award) $ 300
5th Place (minimum award) $ 300
Total $ 2,600
* Estimate based on a $500 per month shipping cost
** Estimate based on 115 lbs. per school per month at $0.72 per lbs.
The rewards will be based on the total pounds collected divided by the total number of
students. The school that collects the most pounds of batteries per student will win 1st place and so on.
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the complete agenda packet
for the December 10, 2013 Board of Directors Study Session meeting at District
Headquarters and posted on the District’s website.