4c - A Garcia RecyclingProtecting 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
T o: Board of Directors
Via : Scott Carroll , General Manager
From: Javier Ochiqui, Management Analyst
Date: October 15 , 2013
Subject: Garcia Recycling’s Closure and I ts Impacts to CMSD’s T onnage
Summary
O n February 2, 2011 , t he Costa Mesa City Council voted 4 -1 to deny a request by
Garcia Recycling for a nine -month extension to stay open while it obtained approval to
build a permanent f acility at another location . Garcia Recycling ’s request was denied
and closed its door s on February 14, 2011 . As per Board direction, s taff is providing
an analysis on Garcia Recycling’s c losure and its impacts to the Costa Mesa Sanitary
District (CMSD ), and Orange Coast College Recycling Center (OCC Recycling Center )
tonnages.
Staff Recommendation
That the Board of Directors receive and file the report.
Analysis
Garcia Recycling was located at 759 W. 19 th St. in Costa Mesa. At the time, it was the
largest recycling center (in terms of recycling volume) in the City of Costa Mesa.
However, the recycling center was blamed for attracting large crowds of people to the
area . Below is a picture of where the Garcia Recycling was located:
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October 15 , 201 3
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Seve ral Costa Mesa residents complained about the odor and mess left behind and
argued that its customers were taking up parking space s from businesses next door.
T he issue was presented to the City’s Planning Commission in 2010 . The Planning
Commission stated that Garcia Recycling ’s permits were for one address and
customers were parking next door at Smart & Final (at another address ). T herefore,
Garcia Recycling was found to be in violation of their permit requirements . The City
Council upheld that finding.
The OC Register , a local newspaper, stated that Garcia Recycling was taking in 4.2
million pounds of recycling material per year. Staff contacted the Department of
Resources Recyc ling and Recovery (Cal Recycle) and asked them to provide us with a
br eakdown of their volume reports. The report from Cal Recycle indeed confirmed that
Garcia Recycling was submitting payment request data equal to 4.2 million pounds of
recycling material per year (Attachment 1). Below is the volume breakdown (in
pounds) for the Garcia Recycling location:
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October 15 , 201 3
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Garcia Recycling - Volume Reports
2009 2010 2011
1 358,000 355,165 245,061
2 358,000 355,165 245,061
3 358,000 355,165 0
4 358,000 355,165 0
5 358,000 355,165 0
6 358,000 355,165 0
7 358,000 355,165 0
8 358,000 355,165 0
9 358,000 355,165 0
10 358,000 355,165 0
11 358,000 355,165 0
12 358,000 355,165 0
lbs. *4,296,000 *4,261,980 490,122
*Monthly numbers are the average since only yearly numbers were reported to the State
Once G arcia Recyclin g closed in February 2011 , OCC Recycling Center experienced
a small increase in their recycling amounts. In 2011, OCC Recycling Center collected
218,511 more pounds of recycling material than they did the previous year. However,
t his increase is only equiv alent to 5 percent of the total amount that Garcia Recycling
was collecting annually . OCC Recycling Center ’s volume decreased in 2012 .
Therefore, the OCC Recycling Center did not benefit long term from Garcia
Recycling’s closure. Below is the volume breakd own (in pounds) for the OCC
Recycling Center (Attachment 2):
OCC Recycling Center - Volume Reports
2010 2011 2012
1 257,040 341,989 330,391
2 356,830 *287,486 265,556
3 384,904 280,017 230,487
4 232,132 351,479 291,413
5 309,584 313,408 298,280
6 271,578 316,520 291,700
7 334,936 381,948 285,560
8 342,830 364,561 332,628
9 346,946 324,379 261,225
10 228,447 323,493 260,449
11 306,330 264,718 277,773
12 301,785 341,855 180,035
lbs. 3,673,342 3,891,853 3,305,497
*Garcia Rec ycling closed its doors on February 14, 2011
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October 15 , 201 3
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On the other hand, CMSD’s volume reports indicate a huge increase of over 5 and 6
million p ounds of materials for both 2011 and 2012 , respectively . This increase is
more than what Garcia Recycling was collectin g annually. Below is the volume
breakdown (in pounds) for CMSD (Attachment 3):
CMSD - Volume Reports
2010 2011 2012
1 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
2 3,240,000 *3,667,833 3,821,333
3 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
4 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
5 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
6 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
7 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
8 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
9 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
10 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
11 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
12 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
lbs. 38,880,000 44,013,996 45,855,996
*Garcia Recycling closed its doors on February 14, 2011
S ince CMSD ’s total volume reports are based on the mixed waste or single stream
system, and since the recyclables are based on a waste character ization process,
actual recycling amounts are difficult to identify . Therefore, we cannot be certain that
this increase was all recyclable material. However, based on CMSD’s historical
recycling percentages, it is safe to say that at least 54.14 percent of the extra pounds
collected in 2011, and 57.84 percent of the extra pounds collected in 2012, were
indeed recyclable materials.
Strategic Plan Element & Goal
This item complies the with objective and strategy of Strategic Element 2.0, Solid
Waste, w hich 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.”
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October 15 , 201 3
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Legal Review
Not applicable at this time .
Environmental Review
Closure of a private recycling firm and its impact on others, including CMSD, who
might collect subject refuse, is not a dist urbance of the environment similar to grading
or construction and is not a project under CEQA or the District’s CEQA Guidelines.
Financial Review
CMSD does not benefit financially from additional recyclable materials that end up in
our waste stream. Per o ur Agreement , CR&R “…shall become owner of all solid waste
when collected and shall have exclusive right to market all recycled material reclaimed
from solid waste generated by the District… and shall be entitled to any and all income
derived from said mar keting over which District shall have no claim.”
Public Notice Process
Copies of this report are on file and will be included with the complete agenda packet
for the October 15 , 2013 Board of Directors Study Session at District Headquarters
and posted o n the District’s website .
Attachments
1. Cal Recycle Report (Ga rcia Recycling Volume Report )
2. Complete Analysis of All Volume Reports
Attachment 1
YEAR REDEEMED
WGT - AL CRV - AL REDEEMED WGT -
GL CRV - GL REDEEMED
WGT - PET CRV - PET REDEEMED
WGT - HDPE CRV - HDPE
2009 430,458.23 675,819.43 $ 3,084,926.31 323,917.26 $ 638,580.87 612,676.63 $ 139,197.61 75,166.71 $
2010 424,580.43 663,951.26 $ 3,093,248.00 324,791.04 $ 617,191.18 569,974.90 $ 121,573.58 61,782.15 $
2011 47,251.90 72,767.92 $ 365,475.09 38,009.41 $ 68,082.81 63,317.01 $ 9,309.73 5,120.35 $
902,290.56 6,543,649.40 1,323,854.86 270,080.92
AL = Aluminum
GL = Glass
PET = PET plastics
HDPE = HDPE plastics
PS = PS plastics (#6)
BM = Bimetal
Attachment 1
REDEEMED
WGT - PS CRV - PS REDEEMED
WGT - BM CRV - BM TOTAL CRV
127.30 453.19 $ 3,498.05 851.12 $ 1,688,884.34 $ 4,296,788.37
489.30 2,623.77 $ 4,906.08 1,226.52 $ 1,624,349.64 $ 4,261,988.57
2.60 10.87 $ - -$ 179,225.56 $ 490,122.13
619.20 8,404.13 3,492,459.54 $ 9,048,899.07
9,048,899.07 lbs
2009 2010 2011 2010 2011 2012 2010 2011 2012
1 358,000 355,165 245,061 1 257,040 341,989 330,391 1 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
2 358,000 355,165 245,061 2 356,830 287,486 265,556 2 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
3 358,000 355,165 0 3 384,904 280,017 230,487 3 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
4 358,000 355,165 0 4 232,132 351,479 291,413 4 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
5 358,000 355,165 0 5 309,584 313,408 298,280 5 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
6 358,000 355,165 0 6 271,578 316,520 291,700 6 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
7 358,000 355,165 0 7 334,936 381,948 285,560 7 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
8 358,000 355,165 0 8 342,830 364,561 332,628 8 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
9 358,000 355,165 0 9 346,946 324,379 261,225 9 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
10 358,000 355,165 0 10 228,447 323,493 260,449 10 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
11 358,000 355,165 0 11 306,330 264,718 277,773 11 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
12 358,000 355,165 0 12 301,785 341,855 180,035 12 3,240,000 3,667,833 3,821,333
lbs.4,296,000 4,261,980 490,122 lbs.3,673,342 3,891,853 3,305,497 lbs.38,880,000 44,013,996 45,855,996
OCC Volume Reports CMSD Volume Reports Garcia Recycling - Volume Reports
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
350,000
400,000
450,000
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
2010
2011
2012
OCC's Impact: Garcia Recycling closed its doors on February 14, 2011
Attachment 2
Jan-12 Feb-12 Mar-12 Apr-12 May-12 Jun-12 Jul-12 Aug-12 Sep-12 Oct-12 Nov-12 Dec-12
MATERIAL WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT
Mix/Office Paper 47,460 34,160 32,600 29,640 47,520 34,780 33,520 39,920 34,740 29,646 30,700 15,390
Newspaper 37,040 26,960 26,420 34,080 27,180 26,480 31,700 28,200 24,640 27,160 27,120 38,620
Cardboard 39,410 N/A 39,840 39,170 N/A 36,030 N/A 41,390 N/A 38,240 40,400 N/A
H.D.P.E.5,435 3,920 4,220 5,620 4,260 3,600 5,280 4,220 4,180 4,960 3,716 4,840
P.E.T.35,560 35,500 28,400 35,760 37,240 36,700 39,000 30,140 39,640 40,480 33,040 25,160
Aluminum Cans 22,807 24,340 19,007 22,087 24,160 23,940 24,260 21,350 25,935 23,682 19,397 17,805
Glass 111,020 108,200 75,060 98,760 146,860 105,500 140,280 138,120 104,960 72,800 119,360 71,320
Scrap Metal 6,000 12,220 4,940 6,040 11,060 5,320 11,520 10,540 7,440 5,240 4,040 4,980
Bi-Metal 4,380 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 878.10 N/A N/A 1,920
E-Waste 21,279 20,256 N/A 20,256 N/A 19,350 N/A 18,748 18,812 18,241 N/A N/A
Total:330,391 265,556 230,487 291,413 298,280 291,700 285,560 332,628 261,225 260,449 277,773 180,035
2012 Total:lbs.3,305,497
Attachment 2
Jan-11 Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11
MATERIAL WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT
Mix / Office Paper 57,965 43,240 46,120 46,020 44,360 50,940 33,060 38,120 52,392 50,580 34,380 47,590
Newspaper 41,080 43,380 31,960 28,620 40,900 29,520 28,900 33,860 28,680 35,820 34,020 32,640
Cardboard 40,760 32,420 N/A 40,160 40,400 N/A 40,070 39,360 N/A 40,100 N/A 40,420
H.D.P.E.4,820 4,740 6,480 6,160 5,883 6,040 4,840 6,160 4,880 5,568 4,620 4,980
P.E.T.41,120 40,940 N/A 40,600 39,100 39,760 73,060 39,980 40,100 40,300 40,240 32,820
Aluminum Cans N/A 30,387 30,217 30,807 N/A 33,160 35,772 33,800 28,102 33,605 25,417 22,965
Glass 104,140 65,660 143,980 134,404 114,622 146,400 141,100 148,460 138,380 106,500 98,420 132,660
Scrap Metal 33,080 6,108 21,260 5,620 7,460 10,700 5,340 6,220 11,400 11,020 5,680 23,400
Bi-Metal N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 4,380
E-Waste 19024 20611 N/A 19088 20683 N/A 19806 18601 20445 N/A 21,941 N/A
Total:341,989 287,486 280,017 351,479 313,408 316,520 381,948 364,561 324,379 323,493 264,718 341,855
2011 Total:lbs.3,891,853
Attachment 2
Jan-10 Feb-10 Mar-10 Apr-10 May-10 Jun-10 Jul-10 Aug-10 Sep-10 Oct-10 Nov-10 Dec-10
MATERIAL WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT WGT
Mix / Office Paper 41,600 58,040 72,080 30,700 47,580 37,040 69,320 60,360 49,520 42,040 50,820 60,528
Newspaper 44,180 44,300 52,540 38,040 38,720 44,040 34,680 44,240 33,760 36,020 46,140 43,400
Cardboard 43,400 36,396 42,240 N/A 39,260 N/A 40,290 38,450 38,450 N/A 40,240 40,520
H.D.P.E.5,580 2,500 9,480 5,020 5,340 5,980 4,840 4,660 4,620 5,700 4,840 6,660
P.E.T.N/A 43,920 38,520 36,940 28,360 N/A 39,880 39,800 39,580 37,300 N/A 39,720
Aluminum Cans N/A 29,835 25,605 23,472 N/A 31,200 N/A 31,620 33,164 N/A 31,385 23,357
Glass 109,500 105,260 106,920 73,880 113,100 117,820 106,480 108,480 114,200 75,620 106,720 68,780
Scrap Metal 12,780 16,580 16,640 24,080 15,960 12,500 20,160 15,220 13,620 11,120 7,120 18,820
Bi-Metal N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
E-Waste N/A 19,999 20,879 N/A 21,264 22,998 19,286 N/A 20,032 20,647 19,065 N/A
Total:257,040 356,830 384,904 232,132 309,584 271,578 334,936 342,830 346,946 228,447 306,330 301,785
2010 Total:lbs.3,673,342
Attachment 2