What You Should Know About…

The CCIRF Study

What is this study really about?
This CCIRF project is a study of options on how to best handle solid waste and recycling in participating Oakland County communities. It was prompted by interest of the participating communities to find alternatives to landfill disposal of waste: The study will attempt to answer an make recommendations about the following questions:

? Can certain efficiencies be achieved by these communities working together?

? What systems can be implemented to increase recycling and waste diversion?

? Are there new technologies that provide good, sound alternatives to disposal of waste in landfills?

What does CCIRF stand for? CCIRF refers to the Capital and Cooperative Initiatives Revolving Fund. The purpose of the CCIRF funding is to encourage the implementation of intergovernmental cooperative initiatives between cities, villages, and townships by funding independent, third party consulting engagements to identify the benefits and feasibility of the cooperative effort proposed.

A recent CCIRF project explored a Northwest Oakland County Fire Collaboration Feasibility Study involving Groveland Township, Holly Township, Rose Township, Springfield Township, and Village of Holly.

What communities are participating in this study?
Brandon, Groveland, Independence, Springfield, Waterford, West Bloomfield, and White Lake Townships..

Does this study obligate the participating townships to anything? No. At the end of the study, recommendations will be made in final report. Any implementation of those recommendations would require approval by each Township board in order to proceed.

Does this study mean that my community is going see changes in how trash and recycling is handled? Not necessarily.. The study is taking a closer look at how to reduce costs to residents while increasing services and diverting materials from landfills.. At the end of the study, recommendations will be made in final report. Any implementation of those recommendations would require approval by each Township board in order to proceed,

Does this study mean that my community is going to have one trash hauler?
Not necessarily. The study is currently being conducted with a final report due in May 2009

Doesn’t having one trash hauler reduce competition, force people out of business and limit my choice as a resident? Imagine you are a business that has over 3,000 buildings. You would be able to negotiate contracts as a super customer. That’s the competitive edge that a community waste hauling contract offers residents.
Coordinating the procurement of trash services with 3,500-35,000 households can provide many benefits to both residents and the haulers. With a competitive bid process, residents should see lower costs than what they could secure on their own and see an increase in the level of services at a lower overall cost. Haulers will now have a stable customer base with a contract with a community that allows them to upgrade equipment and add staff Haulers also benefit from a consolidated service area which reduces wear and tear on trucks and other collection equipment.

The study has already identified potential cost savings between $3 and $4 million dollars by contracting for-services.- Any sort of bid for solid waste services, if pursued, can allow for a variety of-options even awarding more than one hauler to provide services. Recommendations will be included in the final report in May 2009..

Is this study going to place a landfill in Groveland Township? No! In fact, the opposite. Groveland Township specifically wanted to pursue this study in order to learn about new technologies for handling solid waste from its residents, and avoid the siting of any new landfill. The Groveland Township supervisor has worked tirelessly while in office to make sure no landfills will be placed in the township.

Will the study identify the opportunity for- increased and easy recycling in our, community? Yes. Diverting waste through recycling is one of the goals of this study The study will review options that communities may implement to allow for increased access to recycling, including curbside recycling and other options called “single-stream” recycling (this allows all recyclables to be placed in one cart and the materials are then sorted later at a recycling facility). There are even options available now that provide incentives for residents to recycle like coupons and discounts to local and national retailers.

Will the study look at what other communities do for solid waste and recycling? Yes.. Comparisons to other similar sized communities will be made during the course of the study. There are comparisons to similar communities in and out of Oakland County. Learning from those who have already tackled this topic is one of the best ways to hone in a better, program

What are these new technologies that handle solid waste? The new technologies that will be explored are also known as “conversion technologies”. These technologies use or produce heat to change the composition of municipal solid waste (MSW), Products include synthesis gas or fuel gas, fuels, pellets, and compost The study will take a closer look at these technologies and the companies offering these services to see if they make sense to handle waste from Oakland County.

How can I learn more about this project? All of the participating communities have information posted on their, websites about this project. For more Information, please contact the person listed below for your community

Brandon Township Kathy Thurman, Supervisor
Groveland Township Bob DePalma, Supervisor
Independence Township Dave Wagner, Supervisor
Springfield Township Mike Trout, Supervisor
Waterford Township Carl Solden, Supervisor
West Bloomfield Township Michele Economou Ureste, Supervisor
White Lake Township Mike Kowall, Supervisor