Title
Waste ReSources Recycling Program: Next Steps
Recommended Action
Support staff recommendation presented at the 09/17/19 Council Study Session to remove glass and polycoated products from Residential Curbside Recycling to include community outreach and implementation plan.
Report
Issue:
Briefing on 09/17/19 Council Study Session and Waste Resources recycling program community outreach and implementation plan.
Staff Contact:
Gary Franks, Director, Public Works Waste ReSources, 360.753.8780
Presenters:
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 briefed City Council during a 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. Olympia's 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 2018 study session, the value of material has continued to decline 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 by the City was over $120 per ton. Today, market value is hovering in between $8 to $1...
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