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Kalamazoo ECC highlights EPS foam recycling events, curbside trends and new AI camera pilot for contamination feedback
Summary
Commissioners reviewed EPS (expanded polystyrene) recycling events, single-stream and brush collection statistics for 2024, and discussed a new AI camera pilot on recycling trucks meant as an educational contamination tracker rather than enforcement.
Members of the Environmental Concerns Commission reviewed recent and upcoming recycling events, city curbside recycling statistics and early use of an on-truck AI camera system intended to reduce contamination through education.
The commission noted an EPS (foam) recycling event in December that filled a trailer with foam and accepted electronics; a similar collection is scheduled for Jan. 25 at Mayor’s Park and will add paper shredding. Member reports said organizers filled four carloads of electronics at the December drive and that the next event will include oral care product collection as well.
Commission members presented 2024 curbside data: single-stream recycling totaled 2,153 tons in 2024, a 5.94% increase over 2023; curbside brush collection (April–October) was 164 tons, up 1.84% from 2023; and leaf collection totaled 13,652 cubic yards in 2024, down more than 5,000 cubic yards from 2023, attributed in part to early snow events that diverted crews to plowing and to holiday staffing patterns.
Members discussed a recent pilot of AI cameras mounted on collection vehicles that evaluate loads for contamination. The pilot is described in the meeting as an educational tool: vehicles will flag contaminated carts so staff can send informational mailings to addresses where contamination is detected rather than issue penalties. "At least for the foreseeable future, there's no intention of it being an enforcement mechanism but instead to be an education mechanism," one member summarized.
The commission also discussed how to publicize volunteer opportunities around Earth Day (April 22), Arbor Day (April 25) and EPS recycling (April 26) and suggested the ECC help promote volunteer events. Organizers encouraged placing contact information for event volunteers and foam-recycling logistics on the city or program website and linking to 311 for general questions.
No new municipal funding or ordinance changes were approved at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to follow up with contacts at the city for event logistics and community outreach so residents can locate details and volunteer opportunities.
