Currently, private waste hauling companies are allowed to collect solid waste produced by commercial and multifamily properties. These companies are allowed to operate within City limits with a very limited set of regulations. Due to limitations in these regulations, the City lacks basic information, such as the amount of material they collect within the City, which makes it difficult to accurately calculate and track key metrics such as a community-wide diversion rate.   

Staff recommends the adoption of regulations, such as mandatory data reporting, as well as other basic requirements found in Arizona cities, such as insurance requirements, licensing fees, vehicle maintenance, and simple recycling outreach. Such regulations support the Rethink Waste Plan and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

Although Flagstaff’s City Code outlines the requirements for licensing of solid waste collection companies (Section 7-04-001-0013) there is still much to be desired in the code, and best practices in other cities in Arizona can be referenced to find better practices in regulation.

License Application
Currently, to apply for a license to collect solid waste in the city, a hauler would use a general business license. Based on examples from other cities, such as the City of Mesa, staff recommend asking for additional information as part of the application process, such as the applicant's plan for collected material. This plan would include information on accepted materials, sorting, collection and transportation, processing, possible incentives and promotion of their recycling program.

Licensing Fee
Currently, the annual fee for each solid waste collection company is fifty dollars ($50.00). Other cities within Arizona, such as Tempe and Tucson charge a much more substantial fee ($1,000.00 per vehicle) to cover the costs that private waste haulers impose on the City. For example, the City of Tucson’s licensing fee is used for litter collection efforts, since solid waste collection vehicles are a likely contributor to litter. Justifications for the licensing fee in Flagstaff would be litter collection efforts, and the costs of sustainable materials management education and outreach provided by the City, which reaches all residents whether they are a customer of a private waste hauler or the City. 

Insurance Requirements
Staff recommends adding basic insurance requirements for private waste haulers. These requirements could model other cities, such as Tempe, which require public liability, property damage, and personal injury insurance.

Data Reporting
Staff recommends implementing mandatory data reporting that includes the annual weight of trash, recyclables, and compostables collected within the Flagstaff City limits. This data would allow the City to calculate an accurate diversion rate and more effectively evaluate waste prevention and diversion programming. 

Other Service Requirements
Additional requirements may be considered, including:

• Recycling and trash bin colors that mirror the City’s bin infrastructure
• Dumpster signage that communicates which materials are accepted in each type of bin
• Annual vehicle inspection program to ensure safe and environmentally-sound operation of collection vehicles
• Maximum vehicle age for heavy-use front-line vehicles

All of these requirements would support the Rethink Waste Plan and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan by improving recycling outreach and promoting a more efficient collection fleet that reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan and/or Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan
CLIMATE CHANGE: Take meaningful climate change action. Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.