CRP Collection Systems & Logistics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary advantage of a single-stream recycling collection system compared to a dual-stream system?
- Increased resident participation due to collection convenience (Correct answer)
- Higher commodity purity in the recyclable stream
- Lower MRF processing and sorting costs
- Reduced glass breakage during collection
Correct answer: Increased resident participation due to collection convenience
Single-stream collection increases participation by making it easier for residents — all recyclables go in one bin — though it typically results in more contamination than dual-stream.
Question 2: Which collection frequency factor most directly affects the cost per ton of curbside recycling collection?
- Route density (number of stops per route mile) (Correct answer)
- Bin color scheme used by the program
- Seasonal temperature variation
- Type of commodity end-market contract
Correct answer: Route density (number of stops per route mile)
Route density — how many households are served per route mile — directly drives collection efficiency; more stops per mile lowers the cost per ton collected.
Question 3: A drop-off recycling center accepts materials 24/7 without staff. What is the most common operational problem associated with unstaffed drop-off sites?
- High contamination and illegal dumping of non-recyclable waste (Correct answer)
- Theft of valuable commodities such as aluminum
- Overloading of bins causing structural damage
- Inadequate signage leading to low utilization
Correct answer: High contamination and illegal dumping of non-recyclable waste
Unstaffed drop-off sites frequently accumulate contamination and illegal dumping because there is no on-site enforcement to prevent improper disposal.
Question 4: What is 'set-out rate' as used in curbside recycling program evaluation?
- The percentage of eligible households that place their recycling bin at the curb on a given collection day (Correct answer)
- The weight of recyclables collected per household per year
- The number of bins distributed per service route
- The fraction of collected material that is ultimately recycled
Correct answer: The percentage of eligible households that place their recycling bin at the curb on a given collection day
Set-out rate measures what proportion of eligible households actually put out their bin for collection, serving as a behavioral indicator of program participation.
Question 5: Which type of collection vehicle is specifically designed to collect source-separated recyclables in multiple compartments without mixing materials?
- Split-body or compartmentalized collection truck (Correct answer)
- Rear-loader compactor
- Roll-off container truck
- Front-loader automated side-load truck
Correct answer: Split-body or compartmentalized collection truck
Split-body trucks have multiple separate compartments allowing collection of different material streams (e.g., fiber vs. containers) in one pass without mixing.
Question 6: What is 'co-collection' in the context of residential recycling programs?
- Collecting recycling and organics (food scraps/yard waste) on the same truck in separate compartments (Correct answer)
- Combining residential and commercial recycling routes
- Collecting recyclables at the same time as refuse in adjacent trucks
- Sharing collection contracts between multiple municipalities
Correct answer: Collecting recycling and organics (food scraps/yard waste) on the same truck in separate compartments
Co-collection uses a split-body vehicle to simultaneously collect two separate streams (such as recyclables and organics) in one pass, reducing truck trips and costs.
CRP Collection Systems & Logistics 1
What is the primary advantage of a single-stream recycling collection system compared to a dual-stream system?