HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0130.006 2014-2016 3
Aloha Councilwoman Willie;
The need to recycle at the general public level consists of 2 major participants; those that
recycle for `feel good' reasons, such as helping the environment, and the higher
participation level of those that recycle for economic benefit. The latter, is currently
being ignored by the county.
In order to achieve a zero waste to landfill process I would like to direct the council to
look at a proposal to increase participation levels in community based recycling;those
recycling operations that exist separately from the county's transfer station 2 bin system.
For%7 years the county supported a highly successful waste diversion program. This
program was cancelled in fiscal year 2413/14. At that time the county was paying an
indexed subsidy of$20 per ton for cardboard and newspaper,the largest volume
recyclables in the waste stream. The county was also paying$236 per ton for those same
materials collected at the 2-bin transfer station program.
The council needs to review the cancelation of the diversion grants program, which began
in 1986 and helped to subsidize the recycling of low value commodities such as OCC,
ONP, glass and plastic
The current county support for recycling efforts is geared towards collection at county
transfer stations. This program is inefficient, expensive, and not far reaching. Plus,
there is a low participation level
Programs need to be implemented that target a larger percentage of the general public.
These programs need to include an economic incentive for recycling.
Programs need to be devised that include full participation of existing recycling
businesses. These businesses have the collection capacity,processing infrastructure, and
market capabilities needed to successfully achieve zero waste goals.
Successful and cost effective recycling programs have, as their backbone, high volume
collection capabilities and source separation.
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