For example, Kessler Consulting assisted Seminole County, Florida in evaluating its solid waste program and facilities.  This analysis resulted in developing and implementing a strategy to improve the cost-effectiveness of processing recyclables.  We then helped the County secure the flow of waste to its transfer station and landfill in order to ensure the long-term economic viability of these facilities.

RFP, Bid, and Contract Preparation and Negotiation

Assisting clients with procurement processes - from start to finish - has become a cornerstone of the services we provide.  Starting with preparing the Request for Proposals (RFP) or Bid document through proposal review and contract negotiation, Kessler Consulting ensures that the procurement process meets our client’s objectives and minimizes the potential for vendor challenges. We have assisted with more than 30 RFPs, Bids or contract renegotiations covering a full range of services and facilities (collection, processing and disposal). 

In Jacksonville, Florida, Kessler Consulting assisted with an Invitation to Bid for recyclables processing services that resulted in net revenue of $35.60 per ton delivered -  nearly a 100% increase over the City’s previous revenue. We also helped with collection contract renegotiations that resulted in a $1.9 million-per-year savings starting in 1999 and an additional $1.1 million-per-year reduction starting in 2005.

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Collection Efficiency and Rate Evaluations

Kessler Consulting has helped clients save as much as $1.9 million annually in collection rates.  Our services range from analyzing contracts and rate trends to assessing operational efficiencies.  We develop pro forma rates and rate justifications, conduct rate negotiations and provide recommendations for future rate management.   

We stay current with new collection trends and other operational changes that maximize the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of collection.  Most recently, Kessler Consulting evaluated the feasibility of single stream recycling and automated collection for clients, including the potential programmatic and economic impacts on existing programs.  We also conducted a series of national workshops on the pros and cons of single stream recycling.

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MRF, Transfer Station, and Composting Facility Development

Kessler Consulting’s facility assistance includes operational assessments, financial analyses, conceptual design and procurement for new facilities.  Results include significant increases in waste diversion and municipal revenue, and decreases in operating costs.

Kessler Consulting played a lead role in development of the Solid Waste Recycling, Processing and Composting Facility in Sumter County, Florida.  This fully integrated facility, designed to handle more than 200 tons of MSW per day, includes a mixed waste materials recovery facility (MRF) and two in-vessel MSW digesters that process the remaining materials.  The combination of drop-off, front-end material recovery and composting has resulted in 60% waste diversion.  Kessler Consulting continues to provide ongoing management of this facility, which has gained national recognition because of its integrated design and high materials recovery rates.

In Massachusetts, Kessler Consulting worked with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the user communities to procure a new operator for the state-owned MRF.  The resulting contract yielded minimum net revenue to the user communities of $15.67 per ton of material delivered, plus a stipulated revenue share, which added an extra $9.00 per ton during the first half of 2004.

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Privatization Analysis

While some jurisdictions prefer to retain ownership of solid waste facilities and operations, others are willing to consider privatization if the end result benefits them.  Kessler Consulting has helped evaluate the feasibility of privatizing a variety of facilities and services, including transfer stations, collection operations, and processing and disposal facilities.  Our services include analyzing market trends and rates for similar operations, as well as evaluating the advantages and disadvantages to a client’s overall solid waste system. 

After analyzing the efficiency of the county-owned and operated MRF in Seminole County, Florida Kessler Consulting helped explore the cost-effectiveness of privatizing recyclables processing services through an RFP process.  Private sector interest was keen and the County executed a contract to receive revenue based on current market conditions.  As of January 2005, the County was paid $59.00 per ton of recyclables, with guaranteed minimum revenue over the term of the agreement of $26.00 per ton. 

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Green Building Projects

With a LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professional on staff and one of Florida’s first municipal green building projects underway, Kessler Consulting is highly qualified to coordinate Green Building projects.  LEED™ accreditation, earned from the U.S. Green Building Council, demonstrates a professional’s knowledge of green building design, practices, and strategies, and a thorough understanding of the LEED™ Green Building Rating System.   

The City of Tallahassee, Florida is currently renovating its Solid Waste Division Headquarters, and Kessler Consulting is coordinating the LEED™ certification activities.  To track the economic impacts of this Green Building project, we are also conducting a cost-benefit analysis of demolition, waste reduction activities and environmentally preferable purchasing.  In Manatee County, Florida we are also helping to implement green building practices to maximize waste diversion during the construction phase of the new surgical wing of the Blake Medical Center.  

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Waste Reduction and Recycling

Waste reduction and recycling was the foundation upon which Kessler Consulting began its work and continues to be an integral part of our services.  We design programs that incorporate all elements of the solid waste hierarchy (source reduction, reuse, recycling and composting), as well as environmentally preferable purchasing practices that help “close the recycling loop.”

Kessler Consulting provides hands-on assistance with services such as commercial waste audits, training and education, and pilot programs.  In Tallahassee, Florida, we helped develop and implement a pilot program that tested a split-cart collection system to determine whether it provided a practical and cost-effective recycling alternative for small to medium-sized businesses. In addition to planning the program logistics, Kessler Consulting developed outreach materials and conducted workshops to encourage businesses to embrace the program. 

Kessler Consulting is also a leader in introducing new and innovative concepts such as single stream recycling and Resource Management (RM) contracting, which rewards contractors for increasing waste diversion. 

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Waste Generation and Composition Studies

Kessler Consulting has conducted more waste composition studies in Florida than any other firm.  In addition to performing studies for more than 25 counties and numerous private sector clients, Kessler Consulting conducted an evaluation for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) of all waste composition studies previously performed in the state. We compared the methodologies used in each study and provided recommendations for improving the validity of future studies. 

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Grant Writing & Management

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Kessler Consulting develops environmental strategic planning tools for corporations and institutions to clearly identify and define their environmental mission, objectives and goals. Internal and external factors, such as regulatory requirements, employee health and safety, competitors, and public perception, are taken into consideration.  After researching these factors, we utilize the resulting data to help our client design, implement and promote its environmental mission, both internally to employees and externally to stakeholders.  Mechanisms for monitoring progress and making program adjustments help our clients to meet their environmental goals through a sustainable program.

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