Mid Valley Disposal reports recycling audits, higher residential organics diversion in Selma

Mid Valley Disposal on May 5 presented its annual recycling update to the Selma City Council, summarizing site assessments, contamination audits, cleanup‑event tonnages, and tonnage/diversion figures for 2025.

Thomas Hammond, Mid Valley’s recycle programs manager, said staff completed 321 commercial site assessments, 56 multifamily inspections and 325 residential visits in 2025 to educate businesses and residents about compliance with SB 1383 regulations. Hammond described 1,326 recycling audits to flag contamination and said drivers’ tagging prompts follow‑up education.

Hammond highlighted accomplishments from community events (Earth Day, Raisin Festival, National Night Out) and recognized Sal’s Mexican Restaurant as the 2025 recycler of the year for strong source separation and food‑recovery practices. He also noted cleanup events that produced a 48% diversion rate in a fall collection effort and reported spring cleanup turnout at about 83 vehicles.

Tonnage figures presented showed roughly 6,100 commercial tons of refuse versus nearly 800 tons of commercial recycling (about a 17% commercial diversion rate), and residential totals of about 6,900 tons refuse, 1,700 tons recycling and 4,000 tons organics for a 46% diversion rate. Hammond framed the work as education‑heavy and emphasized continued outreach, mailers and door‑knocking to reduce contamination and increase commercial participation.

Council members thanked Mid Valley for visibility at community events and for outreach to restaurants and businesses; staff noted upcoming CalRecycle/JACE audits in Fresno County and said Selma staff are coordinating records and consultant support for that process.

No formal action was required; council accepted the report and asked staff to continue coordination on audit readiness and community education.