Nashville Cites Recycling Savings

The Metro Public Works Division of Waste Management in Nashville, Tenn., has cited recycling program modifications for lowering its costs, officials there have announced. 

Public participation in recycling efforts and better tracking and communication systems have been cited as reason for $12 million that will be saved by the division in 2003. The savings forecasts were announced during a presentation of the Division’s annual report to the Nashville Metro Council.

Based on current participation rates, the household recycling program now being implemented in Nashville’s Urban Services District is expected to save nearly $12 million in garbage disposal costs next year, resulting in net savings of more than $10.5 million for total garbage and recycling collection costs. By 2004, garbage collection routes will also match recycling collection routes, which are more efficient and less expensive than the previous routes.

Costs associated with recycling drop-off and convenience centers throughout the city have decreased while usage at the centers has increased. The cost of operating the 13 drop-off centers has decreased each of the past two fiscal years, while tons of recyclables collected increased despite the closing of two centers.  At Nashville’s two convenience centers, costs per customer have decreased from $23.53 to $8.37 over the past two fiscal years as the number of customers more than doubled over the same period. 

“Metro’s Waste Management Division is in the process of streamlining its operations, and we have already begun to see some positive results,” says Chace Anderson, assistant director of public works. “Using new cost management principles, improving internal and external communications, and utilizing technology more effectively should help make the Division more efficient in the long run as well.”

According to Harvey Gershman of GBB Inc., Fairfax, Va., "The public education programs designed and implemented to launch the new recycling programs are something very special." GBB helped advise Metro Waste in Nashville on some of its program changes. 

"The mayor's solid waste plan [is] achieving the performance and cost expections we helped conceptualize and bring forward with careful planning, procurement and contracting as well as accurate execution by Chace Anderson's energized organization," adds Gershman. 

Brush collection has been cited as another Division of Waste Management program that has become more efficient. Over the past fiscal year, brush collection increased by 54 percent, and costs per ton of brush collected dropped by 34 percent. More efficient vehicles are also being tested that are expected to further enhance the efficiency of brush collection.

Copies of the division’s annual report are available to the public and can be obtained by visiting the Division of Waste Management Web site at www.nashville.gov/recycle.