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Organized Collection FAQ (last updated 514121) What is organized collection? Organized collection is a waste collection system in which existing haulers each get a number of households to serve that's equal to their market share, and located in the same area of the city, which helps coordinate collection more easily and efficiently. Why is the City doing this? Why should I participate? There are a variety of benefits to an organized system — some specific to a consortium/multi-hauler approach (which is what the city is required to pursue at this time). In general, organized collection would reduce the number of garbage trucks traveling on roads in Richfield; reduce air, noise, and other forms of pollution; and save many households money. You can find more benefits to this system here as well as some below. Some environmental benefits include: • Organizing collection makes education easier to share with residents throughout the city, which has been proven to increase participation and accurate separation of more materials with less contamination. • With less recyclables and organics landfilled or incinerated, fewer new resources are needed to make various products, which also means less energy and fuel used in manufacturing and transportation processes. • Fewer trucks and more condensed routes reduce fuel consumption, increases safety, and reduces the number of trucks on the roads. • Environmental benefits of collecting organics are more significant since organics make up the biggest part of trash that can be separated and processed in a better manner. • Food waste that breaks down in landfills (or before it even gets there!) releases methane, a very potent and harmful greenhouse gas. It also doesn't produce much energy when burned due to high water content. • Compost (the product made from separating and processing organics) retains more water, which is important as precipitation levels increase every year. It also prevents runoff more than only using regular soil, prevents erosion, reduces the need for fertilizers, and much more. Some economic benefits include: • Separating materials from your garbage to be properly disposed of in other ways will cut down on the amount of trash you produce and ideally, the amount you pay for that service. o Numerous participants of Richfield's current organics drop-off program have shared that this has already happened for them. As county taxes on garbage disposal continue to increase (on top of state taxes), this is a great way to help your finances.