Grand jury: Marin County Civic Center flunks recycling 101

                                                                          

County government is failing to walk its talk of "zero waste" at the Civic Center, where the diversion rate of recyclable materials falls well below the countywide average, a civil grand jury investigation disclosed.

The jury probe, in effect contending the county flunks recycling 101, found diverting material from landfills is not a priority at the Civic Center, where it said recycling leadership is lax, written recycling policies have not been developed, procedures are inconsistent and recycling processes misunderstood.

Based on misinformation and confusion, officials thought they were doing better, the jury said. Staff disposed of garbage in plastic bags without realizing the bags were not sorted at Marin Sanitary Service for recyclables — but sent to the landfill unopened.

In 2012, the jury reported 243 tons of garbage were removed from Civic Center offices by Marin Sanitary Service, and an estimated 134 tons wound up in the landfill. In addition, the county jail generated 162 tons of garbage, with 137 tons going to the landfill.

"While sustainability and recycling may be a part of the culture of the Marin County government, the practices of recycling, composting, and reuse by county employees and by visitors to the Civic Center are neither actively promoted nor made easy to accomplish," the jury concluded. "There is some talk, but there's not nearly enough walk."

The jury said its study indicated diversion rates, or the percentage of waste diverted from traditional disposal for recycling, averaged from 65 percent to 66 percent across the state. Marin posted an overall rate 75 percent in 2012, but "the grand jury estimates that the diversion rates of the Marin County Civic Center and Marin County Jail were only 45 percent and 15 percent, respectively."

The estimated 45 percent diversion rate, based on a new, apparently rigorous November 2013 audit Marin Sanitary provided after the jury launched its probe, was far less than earlier "erroneous" data from the firm indicating the Civic Center rate in 2012 was 84 percent, slightly more than the county's "zero waste Marin" goal for the year.

The jury also indicated officials scrambled to increase recycling as its investigation unfolded, with the jail staff quickly cutting its landfill garbage 25 percent. More loose garbage is now dumped into debris boxes, rather than bagged, so that it can be sorted by Marin Sanitary's conveyor belt system.

"There's lots of opportunities for the county to divert more and we're here to help," said Kim Scheibly, Marin Sanitary's communications manager. She said the firm advocates "source separation" of recyclables and does not open plastic garbage bags in light of hygienic concerns. A Marin Sanitary audit provided a number of improvement recommendations, she added.

County officials took issue with the jury's methodology but noted improvements can be made.

"They are making estimates based on one spot check," County Administrator Matthew Hymel said, adding officials don't think the situation is as bad as the jury report indicates.

"With that said, we can always do better," Hymel said.

“It’s not a bad thing to get some feedback on how we can do better,”  he added.  “We want to do better.”  Supervisor Kate Sears, president of the county board, was at a conference when the report was issue Thursday." I have not had a chance to read the report yet, but certainly will as we all want to ensure our recycling efforts are effective and have a meaningful impact," she said.

The jury said county supervisors do not have written plans or policies on recycling, composting and reuse in county facilities, and that leadership is lacking.

"County employees do not perceive clear direction or imperative from leadership on the importance of recycling, composting, and reuse," the jury asserted. "Recycling practices are inconsistent across county departments and facilities."

The jury lauded the county's paper recycling system, but found many opportunities for improvements in a host of areas.

"These include continuing to recycle steel cans used by the county jail kitchen (implemented during this investigation), providing glass, plastic, and aluminum recycling bins in the offices of the Civic Center, composting food waste from the county jail, and promoting reuse of coffee and tea containers in the Civic Center," the jury said, noting those who bring their own cups to the cafeteria get big discounts.

"The environmental footprint of the county government's business practices is paramount as with over

2,000 employees it is the largest employer in the county and can set an example for other employers," the jury noted. Marin County government should 'walk the talk' when it comes to recycling, composting and reuse."

The jury's recommendations included increasing diversion rates, examining recycling and reuse practices and policies, and developing a long-range plan tied to performance metrics and goals.

The jury report can be found at http://www.marincounty.org/depts/gj/reports-and-responses

Contact Nels Johnson via email at njohnson@marinij.com. Follow him at twitter.com/nelsjohnsonnews