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Managing and Transforming Waste Streams – A Tool for Communities
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Contracting Best Practices: Equal Capacity Commercial Bin Size and Frequency

  • All Contracting Best Practices
  • All Procurement Process Best Practices

For commercial accounts, require that the amount of recycling and/or composting services are at least equal to the disposal service provided in terms of container size and frequency of collection. Ideally, service levels should match need, so the recycling and composting service is sized for the level of materials generated. However, providing at least equal capacity is a first step.

Advantages

  • Easy way to ensure diversion access: Equal capacity clauses ensure that a minimum level of recycling and/or composting services are provided in a way that is simple for the local government to monitor.

Disadvantages

  • Equal capacity is not enough: Zero waste businesses will need more recycling and composting service than "equal capacity" provides. Aligning bin sizes and rates can also provide incentives to customize service and incentivize recycling and composting.

  • Managing Waste Streams
  • About the Tool
    • How to Use the Tool
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  • The Planning Tool
  • Featured Examples and Resources
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    • Examples and Resources (#1-50)
    • Examples and Resources (#51-100)
  • Contract Language
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      • Align Costs to Rates
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      • Increase Diversion
      • Innovations Clause
      • Market Organic Materials
      • Multi-Family Customers
      • Purchasing Preferences
      • Separate Compensation from Rates
      • Source Separation
    • Procurement Process Best Practices
    • Local Government Clauses
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on May 11, 2023
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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