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Port Angeles’ $1 million baler project could cut trips and costs; Sequim raises rate-allocation concerns
Summary
Port Angeles officials described a planned $1 million baler/processing center at the transfer station that city staff say would cut long-haul recycling trips, reduce emissions and pay for itself in about 2–2.5 years. City of Sequim officials asked that the county plan clarify how the costs and benefits will affect local rates.
Port Angeles officials told the Clallam County Solid Waste Advisory Committee on May 27 that the city has budgeted up to $1,000,000 in 2026 to buy and install a recycling baler and compactor at the transfer station, and said the machine should sharply reduce long-haul trips and operating costs.
"The machine's gonna pay for itself within probably 2, 2 and a half years," Port Angeles representative Bruce Dorsey said, explaining the baler will allow the city to bale cardboard and mixed recyclables locally instead of sending top-loaded trailers long distances. He added the change could cut the number of trips to Seattle by roughly two-thirds and produce new revenue from selling cardboard.
City staff described operational plans: the baler would be sited in the facility's first four bays with roll-up doors to reduce wind blow-out and a conveyor to feed the baler so drivers can dump near the machine rather than repeatedly handling materials.
Megan Euchar, the City of Sequim alternate on the committee, said Sequim curbside recycling will not be processed at the new Port Angeles facility and urged the committee to add clarifying language before adopting the city plan as an appendix to the county solid waste plan. "For all of our curbside recycling, it's not going to use this facility at all," Euchar said, adding concern that including the project without explanation could shift rate burdens to jurisdictions that don't directly benefit.
Committee members discussed financing history: staff said a Washington State Public Works grant provided planning funds and a low-interest loan was available but included a sales-tax increase condition that stalled earlier efforts. Port Angeles staff said the council has since approved the $1,000,000 expenditure and that the city is seeking to proceed without a tax increase.
Why it matters: Committee members said the baler could reduce diesel emissions, lower hauling costs, and generate revenue, but they also pressed for clearer policy language tying capital projects to rate allocation so cities and unincorporated customers are not asked to absorb costs for services that do not serve them directly.
Next steps: The committee agreed to continue review of the City of Port Angeles capital facilities plan and suggested adding findings or appendix text to explain which capital projects are adopted by reference and how costs would be distributed among jurisdictions. No final county-level adoption vote was recorded at the meeting.
Quotes (from the meeting): "The machine's gonna pay for itself within probably 2, 2 and a half years." — Bruce Dorsey, City of Port Angeles representative "For all of our curbside recycling, it's not going to use this facility at all." — Megan Euchar, City of Sequim alternate
Ending: Port Angeles staff said they will provide the CFP materials and project write-ups to committee members for follow-up. The committee deferred formal adoption decisions pending suggested language to clarify rate effects and interjurisdictional responsibilities.
