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City staff say recycling program handles 5,400 tons a year; staff suggest options to reduce costs
Summary
City staff reported the recycling program processes roughly 5,400 tons per year at an estimated $100 per ton paid to vendors and suggested removing glass from the curbside stream or moving glass disposal in-house to reduce contracted service costs. Further feasibility work was proposed.
During the Nov. 15 budget work session council asked about the cost, participation and sustainability of the city recycling program. City staff, referencing the Sanitation Director’s input, reported that the program handles approximately 5,400 tons of recyclables per year and that the city pays vendors about $100 per ton for processing.
Staff proposed short-term cost-reduction options, including removing glass from the curbside recyclable mix or moving glass disposal in-house to reduce contracted service expense. Staff also noted the recycling program has a higher participation rate than survey results alone would indicate and that the program can attract businesses seeking municipalities with green initiatives.
Council and staff agreed to explore additional strategies such as pay-as-you-throw waste management for future feasibility study, and staff logged the questions for follow-up in the budget office’s parking-lot list. No policy change or vote was taken at the session.
