City of Sherman, Texas

Automated Collection of MSW and Recyclables

The City of Sherman, Texas contracted with DSM to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of replacing their drop-off recycling system with a curbside collection system.

Sherman was collecting solid waste using 90-gallon carts and automated collection equipment. DSM analyzed the existing system and developed two alternatives for integrating curbside collection of recyclables with the trash collection system. Traditional blue box collection of paper and containers using manually loaded split compartment recycling trucks was compared with automated collection of paper and containers using existing automated collection trucks and new 60 gallon carts.

Based on DSM's analysis, Sherman successfully implemented an automated collection system for recyclables consistent with their existing trash collection system.

Implementation of Fee Based Recycling

DSM worked with Sherman, Texas during analysis and implementation of the addition of curbside recycling to the fully automated refuse collection system. Included in the analysis was full cost accounting for the recycling collection system, which was used by the City to establish a monthly fee of $3.25/household for the new curbside recycling collection service. DSM returned to Sherman to conduct capture rate analyses to determine how well the program was working at diverting recyclable containers.

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