Republic Services updates council on curbside volumes, recycling market changes and electric trucks

Mark Sherwood of Republic Services gave Lindon City Council an industry and local‑service update on April 7, reporting on collection volumes, recycling market changes and advances in truck and processing technology.

Sherwood said Republic picked up roughly a quarter‑million carts across its Utah footprint last year and serves about 3,100 Linden homes. “The drivers love, love your city,” he said. He told the council the company collected more than 5,000 tons of solid waste from the local service area last year, and recycling tonnage in the city was “almost 300” tons; Republic added about 68 recycling households in the prior year.

Sherwood explained recycling economics have changed since China’s tightened import standard (the “China Sword”), and many municipalities no longer receive rebates for commodity sales; instead, recycling has grown more expensive to process. He said Republic is investing in domestic polymer‑to‑product capacity, citing polymer centers in Las Vegas and Indianapolis that convert recycled flakes into new products. He also noted limited availability of electric collection trucks and said municipal interest should consider that supply constraint.

Council members and Republic staff discussed service logistics around future infill development and the importance of early notice from planning to help route trucks and maintain safety. Sherwood also offered to provide an information sheet for constituents on recycling expectations and contamination, and he invited staff to tour recycling or polymer facilities for education.

No council action was taken; the session was an informational update.