Creating a better understanding of Wisconsin recycling performance.
Increasing efficiency of various report submittals for stakeholders and the department.Rule changes that would clarify or codify existing practices and are expected to have an insignificant or minimal economic impact include:
Annual reporting for responsible units and material recovery facilities.
Enforcement actions taken by responsible units.
Codification of guidance policies related to beneficial reuse of glass and for residual fee exemptions.The department would actively seek additional cost information from stakeholders during the comment period for economic impacts that may include:
Costs incurred by MRFs that currently do not provide data to the department for new reporting requirements (approximately $500/year). This would involve staff time to compile the existing data.
Costs incurred by responsible units to implement new food waste reduction education (approximately $100,000 total statewide). The department is able to provide examples of educational materials at no cost to responsible units.
Costs incurred by self-certified material recovery facilities to provide owner financial responsibility (OFR) to cover unanticipated closure. Closure costs vary based on the volume and type of material remaining on site, as well as transport distance. Neighboring material recovery facilities may have a financial incentive to recover sorted recyclable materials from closed facilities, as those sorted materials historically have been marketable at a net profit. However, glass typically represents a net cost. Therefore, OFR would mainly cover costs of remaining glass and unsorted material left behind at the facility.
Costs incurred by some multi-family dwellings and non-residential facilities to meet specifications for “adequate” recycling collection systems, such as costs for upgraded bins or dumpsters. The potential costs are unknown due to the lack of data regarding the service level at all multi-family dwellings and non-residential facilities in Wisconsin. However, the cost to add service for one additional dumpster is approximately $300/year.
Costs incurred by approximately 5-7% of responsible units to meet the intent of providing a recycling system for single family and 2-4 unit residences. These would be responsible units that currently only provide monthly curbside collection or individual household subscription service. The rule will likely affect small businesses, but overall impact is unknown at this time.
9. Anticipated number, month and locations of public hearings:
The department anticipates holding one public hearing in the month of January 2024. An online format will provide convenient access to the public hearing for interested parties around the state.
Contact Person:
Kate Strom Hiorns, Recycling and Solid Waste Section Chief
For Preston D. Cole, Secretary
Date Submitted
