The Collection Efficiency Study was undertaken to provide a more detailed understanding of cost-saving methods for collecting residential solid waste (RSW) and recyclables. The study included the following major tasks: Conducting meetings and discussions with project sponsors, funding sources, and Peer Advisory Committee members (i.e., representatives from local governments who provide RSW or recyclables collection services) to determine those approaches to improved collection efficiency that would have the most potential interest and utility to solid waste managers and elected officials; Selecting case study sites to illustrate each targeted collection efficiency strategy; Researching collection system improvements in the case study locations and producing four case study reports; Performing telephone surveys of other local governments and service providers who implemented the targeted strategies for improving RSW or recyclables collection efficiencies; Producing a workbook for solid waste managers and elected officials that synthesizes key lessons learned from the case study research and the telephone surveys and Conducting a series of workshops.