Title
Waste ReSources Update: Briefing on the City's Residential Recycling Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing from Waste ReSources staff on the City's recycling program and potential changes to the list of accepted materials. Briefing only; No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing from Waste ReSources staff on the City's recycling program and provide input.
Staff Contact:
Gary Franks, Director, Public Works Waste ReSources, 360.753.8780
Presenter(s):
Gary Franks, Director, Public Works Waste ReSources, 360.753.8780
Ron Jones, Senior Planner, Public Works Waste ReSources, 360.753.8509
Background and Analysis:
Briefing on Recycling
In October 2018, staff gave a briefing to City Council during a Council study session about the state of Olympia's recycling program. Staff presented the impacts related to China's recycling import restrictions, which, at that time, had been in place for 10 months. Recycle revenues were down sharply due to a lack of markets resulting in a large supply of material. Given the challenging market conditions, the City's recyclables were still moving to markets, and the City's recycle processor and industry were optimistic about the future outlook. The expectation was an 18 to 36 month downturn while domestic capacity increased.
During the briefing, staff did not recommend any changes to its system or the accepted material list. Staff committed to monitoring the situation and to evaluate options based on market conditions, and social, financial and environmental impacts.
Since the October study session, the value of material has continued to decline in the past year, and the City is experiencing its lowest value for recyclables ever. Previously, the majority of processing and hauling costs were offset by the revenue generated from sale of recyclable material. Two years ago, the average commodity value received...
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