Contract Services

Montgomery County

Franchise Study

2004

Client Needs

Several dozen haulers collect commercial and multi-family solid waste and recyclable materials in Montgomery County, Maryland. The County is interested in increasing diversion and reducing customers’ cost for recycling services possibly through establishment of a franchise system.

HF&H Solutions

HF&H was retained as a subcontractor to SCS Engineers to assist the County in assessing the potential of a franchise system to achieve these goals.  Our services included surveying four jurisdictions which use different methods for regulating their haulers to understand their regulating process, the results of the regulating systems, the impact on small haulers, and cost of implementation and on-going management of the franchise system. Our survey included analysis of the City of San Diego’s non-exclusive franchise system that regulates approximately 20 haulers operating in one service area; the Sacramento Regional Solid Waste Authority’s permit system that regulates approximately 15 companies that collect commercial solid waste and recyclables and collection of construction and demolition debris in the service area; Salem, Oregon’s franchise system that grants seven haulers rights to collect solid waste and recyclables in seven different service areas; and Farmington, Minnesota’s franchise system that regulates one recyclables collection company and their permit system for collection of construction and demolition debris and special wastes.

Results

Based on the survey findings and the existing conditions and goals of Montgomery County, we recommended an appropriate franchise regulation system for Montgomery County and prepared an implementation plan, schedule, and cost estimate for the franchise system that the County may establish.