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Skagway advisory committee adopts looser mandate for recycled paper, keeps flexibility for other products
Summary
The Solid Waste Advisory Committee approved language letting procurement specify paper with 30%–100% recycled content and adding "when possible" for other paper products, aiming to increase recycled sourcing without forcing unfeasible purchases.
The Skagway Municipality Solid Waste Advisory Committee voted May 6 to revise its recycled-products purchasing guidance to encourage a range of recycled content for paper goods rather than a strict 100% mandate.
The Chair opened discussion of the unfinished business item and summarized prior emails to the city manager. Committee members debated whether the policy should require 100% recycled paper or allow a stepped approach. Committee member Nicole Roskamp advocated for a range, saying the language should allow realistic procurement: "change the wording to purchasing 30% to 100% recycled paper," she said, noting some specialty paper products (envelopes and business cards) are harder to source at 100% recycled content.
The change the committee approved replaces instances of "100% recycled paper" with "30% to 100% recycled paper" for multiple sections and appends "when possible" to a provision about other paper-based items. The Chair said the MOS (municipal centralized purchasing system) could help make higher-recycled-content items more affordable by leveraging central buys.
Why it matters: The adjustment aims to balance environmental goals with procurement realities and cost constraints, allowing departments flexibility while signaling a preference for higher recycled content over time.
Action and next steps: A committee member moved to approve the edits as drafted; the motion was seconded and approved. The Chair will forward the revised language to the city manager (Emily) for incorporation and any further administrative steps.
Details not specified in the meeting: the policy text as ultimately posted by the city manager and the implementation timeline were not provided during the meeting and are "not specified."
