Title
Waste ReSources 2021 Recycling Program Changes: Next Steps
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Receive a progress update on the City's Recycling Program
Report
Issue:
Briefing on Waste Resources Recycling Program regarding recycling markets and a progress report on changes to the City's acceptable recycling list
Staff Contact:
Ron Jones, Senior Planner, Public Works Waste ReSources 360.753.8509
Gary Franks, Director, Public Works Waste ReSources, 360.753.8780
Presenter:
Ron Jones, Senior Planner, Public Works Waste ReSources, 360.753.8509
Background and Analysis:
Briefing on Recycling
Staff last presented to UAC about recycling on December 5, 2019. Staff provided an update to the committee about the changes to the City's acceptable recycle materials list, which included the City's community outreach plan to inform customers. The changes included shifting glass collection to drop-off sites rather than having it mixed with all the other recyclables, and removal of poly-coated cartons (milk, juice, soy and soup) from the recycle acceptance list. Staff also briefed UAC on the global recycling markets at the December meeting. The recycle acceptance list changes went into effect on January 1, 2020.
At the February 2020 meeting, staff gave an update during announcements about status of the recycle changes. At that time, staff had received 94 phone calls and 77 emails regarding the changes to recycling.
The recycle changes the City made came at the request of both the City's recycle processor, Pioneer Recycling Services, and LeMay/Waste Connections which is the company that transports recycle material from Thurston County to Pioneer in Frederickson, Washington. The requests came about as a result of China and other nations banning recycle imports, which caused an excess of recycle material in the marketplace. Supply was, and still is far exceeding demand. As a result, recycle buyers are much more selective about the material they will accep...
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