COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Services Agency

DATE:

November 5, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

November 18, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Margaret Taylor, Director of Health Services Agency

Brian Zamora, Director of Public Health & Environmental Protection

SUBJECT:

Agreement with Pollution Control Industries

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an agreement with Pollution Control Industries for household hazardous waste transportation and disposal.

Background

Environmental Health staff operate a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program that collects and safely processes HHW from residents. Since 1991, the County HHW Program has increased from two to ten collection events per month. Over the past four years, the number of homes served has increased from 800 per month to over 1,000 and the annual amount of hazardous waste collected has grown from 230 tons to over 500 tons. The Department of Toxic Substance Control is continuously adding new waste streams (i.e., fluorescent tubes and household batteries) that are required to be handled as hazardous waste, thereby increasing our handling and process costs. Finally, the HHW program will be opening a dedicated facility at the Tower Road Government Center in San Mateo that will be open to the public two days per week in addition to operating the several satellite facilities located around the County.

Discussion

Pesticides, acids, bases, mercury, oxidizers, flammable liquids and solids, aerosols, oil-based paint, latex paint, and other miscellaneous items are brought to the HHW collection sites. These materials are then lab-packed or bulked and transported to a licensed treatment, storage, and disposal facility. Some items, like latex paint, are also bulked but are transported to a paint recycler for reprocessing and then later given away free to the public through the HHW Product Give-Away Program.

The contractor will use several methods for handling these waste streams. The methods used are designed to reduce the exposure to public and staff working the events, while also considering the cost for disposal. The materials will be incinerated, recycled, landfilled or used as supplemental fuel for cement kiln incineration. Over 90% of the waste collected is fuel-blended, recycled, or reused through the Product Give-Away Program.

The current contractor, Teris LLC dba MSE Environmental, has been issued a thirty day termination letter effective December 1, 2003 due to their inability to meet adequate staffing requirements.

The County Purchasing Department advertised an Invitation to Bid (ITB) to manage the hazardous waste from the HHW Program. Four hazardous waste companies responded to the ITB. Pollution Control Industries was chosen from the four companies based on their low bid.

Vision Alignment

The agreement with Pollution Control Industries keeps the commitment of ensuring basic health and safety for all and goal number 7: maintain and enhance the public safety of all residents and visitors. The agreement with Pollution Control Industries contributes to this commitment and goal since it ensures that unwanted hazardous materials do not pose a health and safety danger to residents or cause environmental damage through illegal disposal.

Fiscal Impact

The term of the agreement shall be from December 2, 2003 to November 30, 2006. The maximum amount payable under this agreement shall not exceed $1,320,000. The budgeted amount for FY 2003-04 is $240,000 and has been included in the approved budget. The budget amount for FY 2004-05 will be $432,250. The amount for 2005-06 is planned for $453,860; and the amount for 2006-07 is planned for $193,890. Appropriations for the HHW Program are covered through the Solid Waste Fund. There is no net County cost.