GBB Chosen by NC City to Review Solid Waste Department

The consulting firm Gershman, Brickner & Bratton Inc., Fairfax, Va., has been selected by the city of Charlotte, N.C., to perform an independent review of the city's Solid Waste Services (SWS) Department. GBB will review and analyze operations, consult with stakeholders, report on findings and provide recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department.

"With its extensive national expertise, and focus on solid waste management issues, GBB will provide valuable insight and advice, allowing us to further increase the efficiency of the department," says Victoria Johnson, Charlotte’s director of the SWS Department. "This is an opportunity for us to carefully examine our operation through the eyes of independent experts, benchmark it against what is done throughout the country and take away lessons and action items that will have positive long-term effects."

As part of the assignment, GBB will review data provided by SWS, review best practices benchmarking information and conduct on-location work, including facility visits, field observations of service activities and interviews of key stakeholders to develop a clear understanding of the qualitative, operational and policy dynamics that impact performance.

GBB staff also will consider software used and whether new or updated software could be applied to improve efficiency; type of equipment and its age and maintenance; extent of automation and technology used in collection; crew sizes and worker productivity; the existence of any work rules, such as in contracts or union requirements, that may artificially lower productivity; how collection of special waste, such as bulky waste, is handled and how different equipment application, collection requirements, and procedures that could lower costs for managing such materials could yield substantial savings to SWS.

GBB will discuss its initial findings, recommendations and opportunities for cost savings and other efficiencies with the SWS Department director before providing draft and final reports.

"GBB worked with the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, N.C., in the early-to-mid-90s, and in 2003, and we're happy to have the opportunity to help them again with this independent review in order to provide improved services in an efficient manner," says Harvey Gershman, GBB president.