Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recycling Contract topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Authority extends recycling facility agreement after $8 million retrofit that increased cardboard recovery
Summary
The Solid Waste Authority approved a three-year extension with Circular Services (formerly Sims Municipal Recycling) after a 2025 $8 million retrofit that recovered roughly 800 tons of cardboard per month and generated an estimated $350,000 in annual revenue; the extension reduces operator fees by about $72,000 per year.
The Solid Waste Authority unanimously approved a three-year extension of the operations and maintenance agreement with Circular Services (formerly Sims Municipal Recycling) for the recovered materials processing facility.
Staff said the authority invested roughly $8 million in a 2025 retrofit focused on residential and commercial fiber lines to capture smaller-sized cardboard commonly produced by online shopping. That retrofit, staff reported, recovered about 800 tons of cardboard per month and produced additional revenue roughly equal to $350,000 per year. The recommended amendment reduces the facility processing fee paid to the operator by about $72,000 per year and extends the agreement for the contractually allowed three additional years.
Drew Martin of the Sierra Club spoke in support of the recovery effort, saying increased cardboard capture helps keep recyclable material out of incineration. The board approved the agreement extension 5-0.
Staff described the amendment as both a cost-saving and environmental improvement—a shift of mixed paper recovered as cardboard bales that are higher-value on the market.
The board recorded the vote as unanimous and did not modify the terms during the meeting.
