HomeMy WebLinkAboutA016 - Resolution accepting Resource Recovery System 2024 Annual ReportITEM #:18
DATE:02-11-25
DEPT:PW
SUBJECT:RESOURCE RECOVERY SYSTEM 2024 ANNUAL REPORT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The Resource Recovery System (RRS) is on the brink of a significant change in our solid waste
management model, which will take place over the next three years. Since 1975, garbage collected in
Story County has been received and processed at the Resource Recovery Plant (RRP), where some
recyclable materials have been removed. Much of the remaining materials have been converted into
refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for use as a supplemental fuel source in the Power Plant.
Changes in federal regulations will make burning RDF in the Power Plant infeasible after 2030. The
regulation changes along with the combination of aging equipment and the harsh boiler conditions
resulting from burning RDF have caused staff to propose an alternative waste disposal strategy. Staff is
developing a concept for a Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus (Campus). This new transfer
facility would receive solid waste and recyclables separately. The solid waste would be minimally
processed to remove additional recyclable materials before being transported in consolidated loads to a
landfill. Combined with recycling from across the community, these recyclable materials would be
transported to recyclers based on the best available market prices. Provisions are also being considered
for yard waste collection and processing, including composting at some point in the future.
Additionally, the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan between Boone County Landfill
(BCL), RRS, and the respective member agencies will expire in June 2025. Staff continues in
discussion with Carroll County for a new landfill partnership agreement. BCL staff have expressed a
willingness to extend our existing agreement up to two years while the new Campus facilities are being
developed.
In looking for ways to expand landfill diversion, the new recycling drop-off center at RRP has been
operational for just over one year in providing a “one-stop shop” for recycling drop-off. This allows
residents to bring in cardboard, mixed paper, plastic bottles with twist off lids, metals, clothes/shoes,
glass, and organics at no charge. New cardboard containers are being implemented at satellite locations
in Ames and a traveling recycling container is being considered for member communities.
2024 STATISTICS:
The partner communities and agencies generated 53,652 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) during
2024 with approximately 42,583 tons received at the plant and processed to create 26,095 tons of refuse
derived fuel (RDF). An estimated 1,343 tons of metal and 269 tons of glass were recovered for
recycling. Additional items diverted from the landfill included 16 tons of Household Hazardous
Materials, 45 tons of organics, 644 appliances, and 917 tires. Rummage RAMPage was held once again
in 2024, finding new uses and homes for approximately 66 tons of household items that would have
otherwise been destined for the landfill.
RATES AND FEES FOR FY 2025/26:
1
The per capita rate charged to member agencies will remain at $10.50 and will be billed according
to the results of the 2020 census. Based on projected financial needs, the tipping fee was raised to
$75.00/ton beginning July 1, 2024. There is no increase in tipping fee for the coming fiscal year.
However, as plans for the new Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus continue to develop,
financial projections for construction and operational expenses may likely necessitate an increase
in tipping and/or per capita rates in the future.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Accept the Resource Recovery System 2024 Annual Report.
2. Request further information from staff.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
While there were a number of challenges during 2024 and still remaining ahead, the Resource
Recovery System continues to be a responsible, sustainable, local solid waste solution for our
partner agencies. Plans continue to move forward in implementing a new solid waste
management model with development of the Resource Recovery and Recycling Campus and a
new partnership with Carroll County Solid Waste Management Commission. Therefore, it is the
recommendation of the City Manager that City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as noted above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
RRP Annual Report_2024 .pdf
2
3
Email: rrp@cityofames.org
Web: www.cityofames.org/resourcerecovery
Phone: 515.239.5137
Address: 110 Center Ave
Ames, Iowa 50010
Thank You to our partners in Sustainability!
Nevada, Story City, Huxley, Slater, Roland, Gilbert, Maxwell,
Cambridge, Zearing, McCallsburg, Kelley, Story County,
Iowa State University
Table of Contents
Letter from the Director of Public Works
Service Highlights and Objectives
Materials, Revenues & Expenses
Resource Recovery System Summary
Resource Recovery System Fund Report
Per Capita Fee Summary
Resource Recovery Plant Volumes
Resource Recovery System Fee Schedule
4
Public Works Department 515.239.5160 main 515 Clark Ave.
Administration 515.239.5404 fax Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
5
Public Works Department 515.239.5160 main 515 Clark Ave.
Administration 515.239.5404 fax Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
6
Service Highlights & Objectives
System Improvements Update
Resource Recovery Plant (RRP) staff works towards continuous improvements by implementing new
and sustainable technologies within the facility and operations to maximize landfill diversion. These
continuous improvements allow maximizing the recovery of RDF and reducing the amount of material
going to the landfill while continuing to send the highest quality of RDF to the Power Plant. Many
improvements were completed by the highly trained and professional staff at RRP.
Improvement examples include:
• Replacing the north half of the 14-inch underground pipe that is used to convey RDF to the
storage bins. The RDF is then metered out and injected into the boiler as supplemental fuel
to create electricity.
• Replaced the secondary shredder motor and rotor out to maximize the efficiency and sizing
of material for RDF.
• Replaced the 96-inch-wide C-7 conveyor belt. This belt is integral to feed material across
the air knife for separation of light fraction paper, plastic and cardboard to be used for RDF.
• Ongoing maintenance, testing and cleaning of the 4160-volt air circuit breakers that supply
electricity to the larger processing equipment such as the primary and secondary shredder
to reduce the size of the material used for RDF and the PSI blower that conveys the RDF
to the Power Plant for fuel.
Program Updates
The Great Pumpkin Disposal was a great success again this year. The
drop-off for pumpkins and organic holiday décor was available from Octo-
ber 25 through December 1. Since the collection started in 2017, 120,280
pounds of pumpkins have been used to feed local farm animals or to be
composted.
www.cityofames.org/resourcerecovery
Picture 1: C7 Conveyer Belt Picture 2: Removing old Picture 3: Installing new RDF
Replacement RDF Pipe pipe
7
Service Highlights & Objectives
Program Updates, continued
• Recycling options at Resource Recovery have seen a great
amount of participation (131 Tons) from residents and businesses
for materials such as cardboard, mixed paper, plastics with twist
off lids. Additionally, metals, clothing/textiles, glass and food
waste were collected. These items can be dropped off at no
charge 24 hours a day/seven days a week at 420 E 2 nd Street.
• A total of 476,849 pounds of Household Hazardous Materials have been diverted from the landfill
and properly recycled and disposed of since collection started in 1998.
• The glass recycling program set a record in 2024 with 269 tons recycled. The glass is processed
into usable materials for remanufacturing new glass bottles and fiberglass insulation.
• TV’s and Monitors have been collected for recycling and
disposal since July 1, 2024. So far over 11, 250 pounds have
been recycled. Additional electronics recycling and drop-off
will be offered in the next few months.
• Over 9 tons of tires were collected for recycling and divert-
ed from the landfill. These tires are processed and broken
down to be used to make rubber landscaping mulch, crumb
rubber for athletic tracks, and other consumer products.
• Our waste oil collection efforts have allowed 2,900 gallons to be turned be recycled into bituminous
materials for asphalt roads or refined to create new oil for consumer use in 2024.
• Over 85,762 tons of ferrous and non-ferrous metal have been recycled from 1976-2024 rather than
being landfilled. This is enough metal to manufacture the steel components needed to make ap-
proximately 11-1/2 Eiffel Towers.
www.cityofames.org/resourcerecovery
8
Service Highlights & Objectives
www.cityofames.org/resourcerecovery
Program Updates, continued
• The City of Ames offers four no-charge yard waste days for residential drop off in the spring and
fall. This past year over 1,350 tons of yard and tree waste was collected and reused.
• Participation in the Food Waste Diversion (FWD) has continued to dramatically increase. Since
our pilot FWD program started in 2019, over 344,260 pounds have been composted and diverted
from the landfill.
• Resource Recovery continues to collaborate with ISU for the community to sponsor the spring
cleanup event, Stash the Trash.
Resource Recovery System Public Education and Outreach
• Rummage RAMPage continues to be an amazing event for the community, sustainability efforts
and landfill diversion. A total of 132, 782 pounds were rehomed with only 9,520 pounds landfilled .
Over the last eight years of hosting the event more than 865,000 pounds of material has been
diverted from the landfill and more than $284,000 has been raised for area non-profits.
9
Service Highlights & Objectives
Resource Recovery System Public Education and Outreach
• Resource Recovery continues its ongoing mission to edu-
cate the public by giving tours of our facilities and opera-
tions. Tours are provided for individuals and large groups
of all ages. Residents, students, engineering groups and
many other communities from around the state, country,
and world have visited the Resource Recovery Plant to see
how we process materials that are not recycled into refuse
derived fuel. For those that are unable to come to RRP,
staff will go to the organizations and present at their meet-
ings.
• RRP, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resource ’s Iowa Waste Exchange (IWE)
program, kept over 11,000 tons of material from the landfill in 2024 . RRP works with citizens, busi-
nesses, and other customers to connect them with IWE. IWE then assists clients in saving disposal
and raw material costs through reducing, reusing, recycling, and renewing materials that those busi-
nesses no longer have a need for.
• ISOSWO Safety Committee – Mark Peebler, RRP Superintendent, is currently serving on the Safety
Committee. This committee engages the Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operators (ISOSWO) member-
ship on new levels by serving as a resource for members to seek out safety and training information
by collaboratively working with other solid waste operators and agencies throughout the state of Io-
wa, to increase the safety and well-being of employees and customers while collecting, processing
and disposing of solid waste and recycling materials.
• A new stair chair system was installed to enhance accessibility to the second floor of the facility for
education and outreach tours.
• Bill Schmitt, Resource Recovery Superintendent for 12 years, retired in
August of 2024. Assistant Superintendent, Mark Peebler, was promoted in
November of 2024 to the Resource Recovery Superintendent. Mark has
worked for Resource Recovery for more than 20 years in various capacities
and is excited for the opportunity to lead the plant. Bill was celebrated for his
service in August.
www.cityofames.org/resourcerecovery
10
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Email: rrp@cityofames.org
Web: www.cityofames.org/resourcerecovery
Phone: 515.239.5137
Address: 110 Center Ave
Ames, Iowa 50010
CITY OF AMES, IOWA
RESOURCE RECOVERY SYSTEM
System Summary Calendar Year 2024
2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2024 CY 2025 CY
Service Accomplishments: Actual Actual Actual Actual Projected
Tons of refuse available 51,223 52,561 52,377 53,698 53,000
Tons of refuse diverted to Boone landfill 11,053 8,221 7,438 11,404 10,000
Tons of refuse processed 40,040 43,096 43,847 42,583 43,000
Tons of RDF to Electric Utility 23,598 27,979 28,622 26,095 25,000
Tons of glass recycled 256 250 261 269 270
Tons of metal recycled 1,307 1,459 1,414 1,343 1,250
Pounds of HHM* collected 25,716 28,454 23,019 27,313 32,000
ISU tons into plant 2,241 2,935 2,909 2,909 3,000
Pounds diverted from landfill to Rummage RAM-
Page 0 92,126 154,843 132,782 150,000
Pounds of Organics Diverted 27,306 87,060 76,840 90,200 100,000
Average # of vehicles/free yard waste day 624 641 460 675 600
Efficiency and Effectiveness:
% of available materials processed 78% 85% 87% 82% 84%
Reject disposal rate/ton (Boone County) $52.00 $52.00 $54.00 $57.00 $57.00
% of processed materials that are sent to the land-
fill as rejects 34% 32% 31% 36% 39%
Reject transportation rate/ton $14.63 $15.15 $15.67 $19.50 $20.50
* Household Hazardous Materials
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Email: rrp@cityofames.org
Web: www.cityofames.org/resourcerecovery
Phone: 515.239.5137
Address: 110 Center Ave
Ames, Iowa 50010
13
Email: rrp@cityofames.org
Web: www.cityofames.org/resourcerecovery
Phone: 515.239.5137
Address: 110 Center Ave
Ames, Iowa 50010
14
Email: rrp@cityofames.org
Web: www.cityofames.org/resourcerecovery
Phone: 515.239.5137
Address: 110 Center Ave
Ames, Iowa 50010
15
Web: www.cityofames.org/resourcerecovery
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