Massachusetts Dep't of Environmental Protection
Boston, Massachusetts

Bottle Bill Redemption Fee Study

DSM was contracted by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a detailed economic analysis of the bottle bill redemption system in Massachusetts. The results were used to make recommendations to the legislature concerning increases in the handling fee paid to redemption centers.

As part of the analysis, DSM conducted in-depth assessments of sixteen redemption centers' handling and transportation costs to determine average handling costs of deposit containers.

In addition, DSM conducted on-site and telephone interviews and meetings with all stakeholders to determine how changes in the container redemption system would impact each stakeholder. These included soda and beer distributors, food retailers, and distributors' agents. The final report was presented first to an internal committee within State Government and then to all stakeholders to determine how changes might be made to the system to make it more equitable.

Training for Municipal Officials to Improve Solid Waste
and Recycling Collection Contracting

In the fall of 2000, DSM designed and led four, daylong training sessions, with nearly 80 municipal officials on improving solid waste and recycling collection service contracting methods. Sessions included training and discussions to generate new ideas for improving solid waste and recycling contracting practices to reduce costs, improve service and increase recycling rates. DSM ran a fifth workshop in the summer of 2001 at the Northeast Resource Recycling Association annual conference.

DSM was contracted again by MA DEP in December 2002 to design and lead two new collection contracting workshops focusing on new collection techniques and best contracting practices. DSM led a mini workshop in January 2003 to over 40 municipal officials and a second half-day workshop in March to over 30 officials. DSM was also contracted to provide technical assistance to select municipalities in preparation for developing new collection contracts.

Development of Model Collection Contracts

DSM completed a project with the MA DEP to develop model contracts for improving recycling collection programs and recycling collection efficiency. The model contracts incorporate provisions from exemplary contracts throughout the United States. DSM researched collection programs and contracts in over 50 cities and municipalities across the country to determine which contract elements were most effective in lowering program costs and increasing recycling diversion.

The result was the creation of a comprehensive contract template for the MA DEP. This template can be used by municipalities to electronically create municipal specific collection and processing contracts based on the best elements of contracts from throughout the United States.

Back to Clients