Monterey County – Evaluation and Analysis of Solid Waste Management System

From 2014-2015, R3 was engaged by the County of Monterey (County) to evaluate and analyze its Solid Waste Management System, with the objective of developing an integrated regional approach as an alternative to the existing “split” between the two sub-regional solid waste management agencies. R3’s primary goal was to develop options to provide an efficient solid waste system to the entire Monterey region in a way that protected public health and the environment, provided benefits to all rate-payers, was committed to the highest and best use of materials, was adaptable and responsive in managing materials, and ensured that services were accessible to all customers.

R3’s work efforts included modeling tonnage flows between each community, transfer stations, processing facility and disposal facilities to determine the most environmentally sound and cost-efficient manner to manage solid waste on a regional basis. The modeling efforts addressed costs, GHG reductions, increasing diversion from landfill, closure of landfills, and location of transfer stations. The study’s results were presented in a series of regional workshops that facilitated the collaboration between all parties involved to remove barriers that previously had undermined cost-effective regional efforts to benefit all ratepayers. to identify and develop a consensus on operational, financial, political, and legal issues as alternatives to the status quo.

Clients of this regional engagement included the County of Monterey, Monterey Regional Waste Management District, Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority, Pebble Beach Community CSD and the cities of Carmel-by-the-sea, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, King, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City, Seaside and Soledad.