Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: MARCH 21, 2023
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: DAISY PEREZ, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
PREPARED BY: KIM CHAUDHRY, SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST SUBJECT: RECYCLE FROM HOME PILOT PROGRAM
SUMMARY
The Recycle from Home Pilot Program would provide access to in-home recycling services for both residential and commercial customers in the City of Fullerton. The mobile recycling program uses technology to optimize consumer pick-ups and issues same day California Redemption Value (CRV) fund payments to consumers.
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss program and provide direction.
Authorize City Manager to submit a letter of authorization to Cal Recycle naming Recycle From Home as the City’s pilot program provider.
Authorize City Manager to submit the program application.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
The pilot project would extend for three years. The City Manager recommends approval due to this program potentially creating increased convenience for residents in their recycling efforts and has the potential to increase the rate of recycling in the City.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
Administering this pilot program generates no fiscal impact directly to the City. Recycle From Home LLC processes the recycling redemption funds sent to the customer electronically or a mailed check.
DISCUSSION
The City of Fullerton has a population of over 140,000 residents, equating to almost 48,000 households. Recent events and economic hardships have led to the closure of many recycling centers in the City. Fullerton has 12 convenience zones, with 7 zones unserved. This constitutes a ratio of 28,212 residents per recycling center. The Recycle from Home pilot program would provide more convenient and increased consumer access to recycling.
Recycle From Home LLC (“RFH”) is the first mobile recycle service approved in the State of California. The program picks-up and pays residents and businesses for their recyclable cans and bottles and makes it easy to recycle from a driveway or doorstep. This program would make recycling more convenient and accessible to residents and businesses. The “RFH” management team has successfully worked with Cal Recycle for the past 20 years and understands the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act Section 14571.9 requirements. RFH operates pilots in the City of Irvine and the City of Corona and complies with the regulations and goals of the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act Section 14571.9.
California Redemption Value (CRV), also known as California Refund Value, is a regulatory fee paid on recyclable beverage containers in the United States. The California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act of 1986 established fees in California, typically five cents per container. The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has administered the program since 2010.
The Recycle From Home processing center schedules drivers to pick-up at designated times selected by customers. RFH recycles items within 24 hours of pick-up. The program weighs the items, calculates redemption based on current CA CRV rates and processes payment, sending recycling redemption funds to the customer electronically or mailed as a check.
Every resident and business in the City of Fullerton can access services once the City initiates the program by signing up on Recycle From Home’s website and following the instructions for starting service. The payment system allows Recycle From Home to make same day payments to the customer. The customer can access transaction details at all times using a web-based portal. Additionally, the program bases scheduling and routing on an algorithm that ensures no unnecessary vehicles on the roads, therefore, preventing excess emissions.
The RFH pilot program aims to increase consumer access to recycling, drive down the cost of recycling and give the nickel back to the consumer. The City will promote this program in the initial phases and help educate our residents to its benefits on our social media platforms, city website and other marketing materials.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Presentation
Attachment 2 - Pilot Project Jurisdiction Application
Attachment 3 - Letter of Authorization
cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
Recycle From Home Pilot Program
March 21, 2023 - Page 2