One of the FY 13 Council Priorities includes “maintain and deliver quality, reliable infrastructure”. In response, the Solid Waste Section established a goal to draft the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan (Management Plan) for Cinder Lake Landfill. The Management Plan initiates the following steps:

1. Gather necessary data
2. Determine triggers for implementation of future programs and infrastructure
3. Design and budget for the program needs and infrastructure
4. Allow the community to assess the programs’ success after implementation

Staff has completed the first step of gathering relevant data. One of the most challenging tasks required staff to identify disposal and diversion trends by City residents and businesses. The task was achieved by performing a waste audit of landfill trash in July, 2012. Below are the following observations:

• Solid Waste disposal rates within the City of Flagstaff are lower than the national average (2.0 pounds per person per day compared to 4.4 pounds per person per day respectively)
• Flagstaff residents and businesses account for 73% of total recyclables
• Other Contributors - IGA’s 7%, Norton Environmental 18%, Private Haulers 2%
• Overall diversion (re-use and recycle) volumes are increasing year-over-year
• 2011 - Re-use increased 5% and recycle decreased 2% from the previous year
• Recycle rates within Flagstaff could be improved by as much as 28% (12,000 tons) annually
• 2011 Profits from sales of recyclable materials were $366,072. Market rates are historically volatile.

Staff has gathered the necessary data to prepare the foundation of the Management Plan. In subsequent work sessions, staff will discuss triggers for implementation of future programs and infrastructure (step 2 noted above).