Summary of paper comparing single vs multi stream recycling systems in Ontario

1.
A comparison of single and multi-stream recycling systems in
Ontario, Canada
http://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/4/2/384
By: Dr. Calvin Lakhan
http://wastewiki.info.yorku.ca/
lakhanc@yorku.ca

2. Overview
• Study examined differences in cost and recycling
performance between single and multi stream recycling
systems in Ontario
• 223 Municipalities over a 10 year period
• Study focused on:
• Are material management costs for single stream less
than multi stream?
• Are recycling rates for single stream higher than multi
stream?
• Do multi stream systems report higher revenue from
sale of recyclables?

3. Methods
• Data obtained from the Waste Diversion Ontario Data Call (223
municipalities over a 10 year period)
• Regression model developed to gauge the effect of single vs multi
stream recycling systems on recycling rates and program costs
• Variables in the regression include:
RR = Municipal Recycling Rates (%)
SS = 1 if municipality has single stream system (0 otherwise)
PC = Municipal Program Costs ($)
TP = Municipal transfer payments ($)
PE = Municipal promotion and education expenditures (per household) ($)
PAYT = 1 if municipality implements pay as you throw scheme (0 otherwise)
CURB = 1 if municipality implements a curbside recycling system (0 otherwise)
INC = Median income Per Capita ($)
AGE = Median Age
EDUC = % of Population with College education or higher
DEN = Population Density per square kilometer

4. Results
• Single stream systems more expensive than multi stream systems
• Single stream systems recovery slightly more material

5. Conclusions
• Study findings contravene previous investigations which
normally show that single stream recycling is cheaper
• Municipalities must consider site and situation specific
factors when deciding between a single or multi stream
recycling system

6. Conclusions
• Study findings contravene previous investigations which
normally show that single stream recycling is cheaper
• Municipalities must consider site and situation specific
factors when deciding between a single or multi stream
recycling system