An Examination of Rhode Island's Commercial
Solid Waste Managemet Regulations

Jason Babbie

In this thesis I make recommendations on how the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (the Corp.) can optimally manage Rhode Island’s commercial solid waste. The recommendations stem from the state’s diversion rate projection, and are based on newly compiled data; constant conditions; scarcity of resources; and variables, like technology that apply to DEM, the Corp. and the Rhode Island business community.

Findings

• Between 1992 and 1996, 16% fewer businesses reported to DEM, but there was only a slight decrease in the percentage (3%) of businesses reporting that were required to do so.
• Less than 50% of the required business community submitted an annual report to DEM from 1992 to 1996 because DEM does not have a complete list of the regulated community.
• The 1996 reports made the process of compiling data achievable for DEM, despite staffing limitations, but there was a loss of accuracy due to the use of open-ended ranges for answers.
• Although aggregate recycling rates are slightly increasing (~2%), the various size companies, as groups, are behaving independently of one another and of market conditions. The recycling rates for most of groups’ are generally decreasing.
• The market price per ton of recyclable material is not the only and quite possible not the main determinant of recycling rates.
• Reported generation of commercial solid waste is stable, while economic conditions are slightly improving in Rhode Island (recovering from a drop in 1991).

Recommendations

• DEM needs a list of the entire business community in order to increase the number of businesses reporting and improve the quality of analysis possible by compiling the data in the reports.
• The reports must be redesigned to use actual numbers and not ranges for certain answers.
• Information in the form of reports should be gathered from the Corp., haulers, materials recovery facilities and businesses to check accuracy and provide more data.
• Contracts between the Corp. and solid waste hauling companies should outline penalties if haulers violate the landfill restrictions. This should encourage haulers to comply with the restrictions while accounting for the Corp.’s incentive structure.
• Businesses need more targeted technical assistance from both DEM and the Corp. in order to increase recycling rates. The generic assistance once offered is no longer adequate.
• Advertising campaigns are needed to foster attention and promote positive attitudes toward commercial recycling.