Suffolk to switch curbside recycling to regional ‘SPSA sort’ system July 1; residents keep $30 monthly rate

Suffolk City officials told the City Council on a work-session that the city will transition curbside recycling from the current vendor, TFC, to a regional SPSA sort system beginning July 1, 2026, and that resident refuse fees will not increase.

Greg Benton, Suffolk’s director of public works, said the operational change is intended to increase material recovery and extend landfill life. "Achieve a 50% reduction in waste being landfilled by separating organics, recyclings, and trash from mixed waste," he said, describing the target as roughly 20% recycled and 30% converted into biochar.

Benton outlined readiness measures: 41 refuse employees are assigned to daily operations; the fleet includes 21 automated trucks, 10 compactor trucks, eight boom trucks and two crash trucks; route optimization increases routes from nine to 13; and five new collection vehicles have been added, including four automated side loaders and an automated auger truck that "reduces trips to the landfill by 50% due to its increased holding capacity." He said spare cans and parts are stocked and mobile mechanic support will reduce downtime.

Communications director Jennifer Moore said the public education campaign targets about 32,000 Suffolk households and centers on one message: "two cans, no sorting." The campaign will use postcards, a dedicated SPSA sort webpage with FAQs and videos, social media, municipal channel advertising and community event outreach. Moore said residents may continue to self-sort recyclables by using a designated drop-off at the regional landfill convenience center at 1 Bob Folder Drive and that there is no charge to use the recycling drop-off station.

Council members pressed for details on commercial tipping fees and drop-off charges. Dennis Bagley, executive director of the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA), told council that SPSA will increase commercial tipping fees by $3 per ton this year because of higher transportation costs but that a tiered pricing structure can lower rates for smaller-volume customers. On residential drop-off of household hazardous material and tires, Bagley said there is a per-visit charge billed to customers and estimated "I think it's $15 per customer per visit." He noted the city sometimes offers quarterly amnesty recycle drives that waive fees.

Bagley also described SPSA’s processing ramps: SPSA is currently processing 54,000 tons per year; the contract provides a July 1 ramp to 108,000 tons, with additional ramp dates through 2028 that will bring capacity higher in stages. He said early operating results have exceeded contract diversion requirements in the pilot runs and that SPSA will publish a dashboard to report recycling and biochar-production metrics following its board review.

Mayor and council members encouraged continued communications to address resident concerns and asked staff to report back regularly on performance and customer contacts. Benton and Moore said pickup days and resident refuse procedures will not change at rollout: residents should keep both blue recycling cans and the green can at home and may place either or both cans curbside weekly; the city will collect them.

The council did not take formal action on the transition during the work session; staff said operational changes take effect July 1 and outreach will continue before and after the launch.