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Return to Improving Business Recycling & Garbage Collection
Frequently Asked Questions
New Services:
Q. When will the change take place?
A. Changes to garbage and recycling services go into effect on July 1, 2012. A representative from Allied Waste Services of North America (Allied), the new garbage and recycling collection hauler, will contact you in advance to prepare for the July 1 start date.
Q. Will it increase my garbage and recycling bill?
A. The goal is to provide the best services while minimizing rate impacts. The City of San José, Allied Waste, and Zero Waste Energy Development (ZWED) are working on setting up a rate structure. Businesses will be notified of the new rate structure prior to the start of service.
Q. Will I have the same service (container size and collection schedule)? Can we customize services to fit our business needs or is this a one-size fits all?
A. Allied will be assessing each business' waste stream prior to the start date to determine needs and service level changes. Some businesses may end up with similar services and collection schedule while others will not. Businesses, regardless of size, will have the opportunity to customize services to fit their needs.
Q. I currently have food waste collection. Will food waste collection continue to be an option?
A. Yes, the collection and processing of food waste will help achieve the City’s Zero Waste goal. For businesses with large quantities of food waste, separate collection of this material will be available.
Q. Will I have the same service (bin size and collection schedule)? Can we customize services to fit our business needs or is this a one-size fits all?
A. As part of this effort, the designated hauler(s) will be assessing each businesses waste stream. Some businesses may end up with similar services while others will not. Businesses, regardless of size, will have the opportunity to customize services to fit their needs.
Q. I currently have food waste collection. Will food waste collection continue to be an option?
A. Yes, the collection and processing of food waste will help achieve the City’s Zero Waste goal. For businesses with large quantities of food waste, separate collection of this material will be available.
Q. Will the type of materials we recycle change?
A. Businesses are able to recycle more material than they do now. With Allied’s “One-Bin Plus” approach, all material will be collected in one container. Garbage, recyclables, and minimal amounts of organics can be bagged in clear plastic bags then placed in a single collection container – simplifying the recycling sorting process for customers. Customers generating larger amounts of organic material should subscribe to the "Plus" or second-container service level.
Q. I have a home business, does this affect me?
A. No
Q. My business is in a retail center with a property manager, so will these changes affect me?
A. Retail centers are included in the new service. Property managers will be able to take advantage of the suite of services allowing for more recycling opportunities.
Q. Who will provide the collection services?
A. On April 5, 2011, the City Council voted to negotiate an exclusive 15-year agreement with Allied Waste Services of North America (Allied).
Q: I would prefer not to change my garbage and recycling hauler. Do I need to use Allied Waste instead of choosing my own hauler?
A: Yes, Allied is the exclusive hauler for commercial waste in the City of San José. One citywide hauler allows for consistency in services and rates.
Q: Do I have to use Allied for all my waste needs?
A: The new franchise affects the majority of garbage, organics, and recyclables. However, there are some exceptions including:
- Construction and Demolition Debris
- Donated/Sold Material
- Medical & Hazardous Waste
- Confidential Shredding Services
Q: What does the new service look like?
A: San José businesses will benefit from Allied’s unique “One-Bin Plus” approach where garbage, recyclables, and organics can be bagged separately and placed in a single collection container – reducing the number of containers where space is often limited, keeping noise and truck traffic to a minimum, and simplifying the recycling sorting process for customers. Customers generating larger amounts of organic material should subscribe to the "Plus" or second-container service level.
Q: What will Zero Waste Energy Development (ZWED) do?
The new garbage and recycling system will increase the current diversion rate from 22 to 80 percent by 2014. The impressive diversion rate is due in part to the state-of-the-art technology that ZWED will use to process all commercial organics, such as food waste and food contaminated paper, converting them into methane gas which can be used to provide electric power and vehicle fuel.
ZWED will be the first company in the United States to implement European dry fermentation anaerobic digestion technology at a commercial scale. Converting hard-to-process organic waste into energy will help the City reach its ambitious Zero Waste and renewable energy goals.
Outreach:
Q. How will businesses be informed of their new hauler and new services?
A. As early as July 2011, Allied representatives will contact businesses to determine service needs.
Q. How will recycling be encouraged?
A. The new agreements require a citywide 75 percent diversion rate by 2013. Allied and ZWED will work together to make sure that the most efficient organics recovery program is in place. Additionally, Allied will work with businesses to develop customer friendly programs to ensure that the waste diversion goals are achieved.
System Change:
Q. Why do businesses need a new system for garbage and recycling collection services?
A. The new service addresses business input for access to more recycling services. Many small and large businesses are already finding innovative ways to reduce waste.
San José’s overall recycling rate of 70 percent is among the highest in the nation, and the City has set a goal of achieving Zero Waste. Currently, the recycling rate of the commercial sector is 22 percent so this sector has the greatest potential to significantly improve and help San José become a Zero Waste City.
Q. How does the new system differ from the current garbage and recycling collection system used for businesses?
A. Currently, commercial garbage and recycling services operate in a non-exclusive franchise or “open market” system, with multiple hauling companies authorized to collect materials from businesses all over the city. The new system transitions the business sector to an exclusive franchise system where one hauler, Allied, provides garbage and recycling collection service citywide. This system is comparable to other cities on the West Coast and most other Bay Area cities.
View a comparison chart.
Q. What is Zero Waste?
A. In 2008, the San José’s Council adopted a Zero Waste Policy which sets an overall goal of diverting 75 percent of our waste from landfills by 2013 and 100 percent diversion by 2022 (Zero Waste). Transitioning to a better business waste collection system is a critical part of achieving the City’s ambitious goals. Ultimately, Zero Waste is the concept of completely eliminating waste going to the landfill.
Q. What is the Green Vision?
A. On October 30, 2007, the San José City Council adopted the Green Vision, a fifteen-year plan to transform San José into a world center of Clean Technology innovation, promote cutting-edge sustainable practices, and demonstrate that the goals of economic growth, environmental stewardship and fiscal responsibility are inextricably linked. To learn more about the Green Vision, visit http://greenvision.sanjoseca.gov/.
For additional questions, email zerowaste@sanjoseca.gov or call (408) 535-8550.
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