Public Works reports Rumpke recycling contract, RouteWare pilot and major corridor projects including Safe Streets funding

Public Works Director Mick Murray provided a multi‑topic update on transportation, waste, facilities and urban forestry projects.

Murray said the city entered a contract with Rumpke Services on July 14 to process recyclables collected through the city's curbside program. He said the agreement sets a fixed processing rate of $70 per ton for three years and will, the city estimates, save about $22,000 in the first year by reducing fuel and labor costs. Murray said Rumpke will transfer materials through its Columbus material recovery facility (MRF), which he described as the largest in North America with the capacity to process 250,000 tons annually, and that roughly 80% of material Rumpke processes remains in Ohio. He listed expanded acceptable materials under the new contract, including paper coffee cups, plastic drink and food cups and plastic clamshell containers. No council vote on the contract was recorded in the…