I . l Several crucial factors influence successful implementation of ORE Plan type systems: 1) rodent control in organic wastes, 2) flow control legislation and 3) franchising fees. Both Sunflower and Cloudburst were composting organic wastes near their shared recycling center in an industrial-zoned area. The expense of physical facilities necessary to resolve rodent control problems caused them to cease composting operations in summer 1975, and all organic wastes have been landfilled since that date. Experience to date indicates a substantial demand exists for compost as a fertilizer and soil conditioner. Composting could be successfully done within city areas with 1) recognition by decision-makers that composting is a cost-effective method of both waste utilization and disposal, with 2) cooperation from elected official and government agencies, and through 3) policies making grants or small business loans available for construction of proper facilities and purchase of equipment. A second problem facing recycling collection services is proposed "flow control" legislation that would guarantee all wastes collected in a municipal area would be destined for processing by big machine "resource recovery" systems. Biased legislation of this type could eliminate recycling collection services and forJe householders to deliver mixed wastes to expensive "authorized" services, as excerpts from one "flow control" ordinance show: "All solid wastes collected by a solid waste collection service within the Metropolitan Service District (MSD) boundaries must be disposed of in transfer stations or solid waste disposal sites designated by the MSD and in accordance with the ordinances and regulations of the MSD." "No person engaged in business as a solid waste collection service may deposit solid wastes at any facility owned, operated or regulated by the MSD if he has culled, separated or removed from the refuse at the facility.and sold, recycled or otherwise reused." ORE Plan kinds of home collection of recyclable wastes would significantly reduce the purchase and operating cost of large-scale, mixed-waste sorting systems. Any problems of exclusion and big machine monopoly could be avoided by explicitly stating in a "flow control" ordinance that "home grouped wastes" (i.e. also called "source-separated wastes") are not "solid waste" as used in the above excerpt. Collection of garbage is now done by non-franchised private companies in Portland. Presently these companies serve overlapping areas and result in as many as three or more different collectors serving some streets. With good reason, efforts are underway to franchise routes to reduce expenses. Simple Separating Suellen McDonough of Durham, New Hampshire, has invented a simple aid for keeping separate the glass, metal and paper household wastes that remain even when we reduce the waste we generate. Her "Recycl-it," a three-section plastic wastebasket, is specifically designed to hold three supermarket bags, allowing easy handling of recyclable materials. "Recycl-it" is currently available at East Coast department stores, such as Jordan Marsh and Bloomingdale's, and will be available from Sears in the Spring, 1976, catalogue. RAIN Page 13 Franchising in Portland could either help or harm existing home collection and recycling services. The main benefits of a fair franchise ordinance are obvious: increased collection efficiency and reduced costs. The dangers of a poorly designed ordinance are three in number: 1. Sector assignment. The city might be divided into sectors and assigned to collectors in proportion to their present cash flow. Since a standard garbage collection business has about 1000 households compared to the current figure of 100 for Cloudburst, this would end their operations even though they are the most rapidly growing collection service in the city due to lower prices. 2. Customer assignment. Cloudburst and Sunflower now serve only customers who have voluntarily chosen their recycling services. Thus, they are dealing with a specific clientele who cannot be arbitrarily assigned. 3. Standard franchise fee. A third way that a poorly designed _franchise ordinance might eliminate existing recycling collection services is by requiring a standard fee, say $1,000, from all businesses. Clearly this would end small ORE Plan type business because most of their capital flow is needed for reinvestm~nt during an initial period of rapid growth. Most home collection recyclers and citizens alike would welcome a properly worded, non-discriminatory franchise ordinance which would continue to allow customers to choose among competing services according to price and services rendered. Summary Implementation of the ORE Plan in Portland, Oregon, indicates it is an economically viable garbage collection and recycling system. It is an energy-saving method for recycling household solid waste that has reduced garbage bills 20 to 40 percent, compared to fees for standard collection service. More rapid spread of this approach should be possible now that that operating data exists for cities and private garbage collectors to explore the relative economic and social advantages of offering an ORE Plan type service. Special Note: Cloudburst and Sunflower each operate home collection routes in N.E. Portland. Residents wishing more information on their services should call 281-8075 or 2810448, respectively).
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