Recycling

[Relene Johnson <relene@turbonet.com>]

It was suggested to me this morning via e-mail that I include my comments
regarding recycling misconceptions directly with my e-mail, rather than
attaching it as a word document. Thanks for the suggestion.  My comments
are outlined below:

Dear Visionaries:

Curbside Recycling begins the week of April 5th for all City of Moscow households.  For the most part, residents seem very pleased with the addition of this new service.  Having said that, there are a few misconceptions regarding the new curbside service, as well as misconceptions regarding overall recycling efforts in this community.  I offer the following facts:

1. There is no additional cost to the customer for curbside recycling service.  This cost is already included in garbage fees paid monthly by residents.  The City of Moscow will pay Moscow Recycling/Latah Sanitation, Inc. (MR/LSI LSI) $2.11 per household for citywide participation although actual customer participation is voluntary (please call the recycling center at 882-0590 if you do not wish to participate).  This policy enables us to spread costs out so that we can offer a lower per unit rate; a policy typical of many curbside programs across the U.S.

2. We will collect 13 different commodities at the curb.  Why so many commodities?  Through our 500 home curbside pilot project, and through information received from a recycling survey conducted independently for the City, residents requested this level of service. We listened.  Below is a brief rundown of the service being offered:
        The program is designed around a two-week/two-bin rotating schedule troughout
the year (Week A/Bin A and Week B/Bin B).  On Week A, in bin A we will collect household batteries, clear glass bottles, newspaper, office pack, plastic milk jugs and tin cans.  On week B, in bin B, we will collect aluminum cans, brown & green glass bottles, corrugated cardboard, magazines, mixed waste paper and #1 pet plastic bottles.
    The commodities are strategically separated between Week A/Bin A and Week B/Bin B to accommodate the collection vehicle's weight and capacity restrictions.  If you forget which commodities go in which bin, refer to stickers located directly on the bins.  If you forget which week you are on, refer to the yearly calendar that is being delivered with the bins.

3. To date, MR/LSI has not made a profit from recycling activities.  In fact, LSI has substantially subsidized the recycling arm of our business since 1984.  In spite of this financial strain, MR/LSI remains committed to waste reduction because our community benefits through disposal cost avoidance while participating in solid waste programs that are environmentally responsible.

4. Our garbage is long-hauled to Arlington, Oregon for disposal.  As a result, in this community, waste reduction/diversion makes sense as demonstrated by the figures below:

Transfer, Long Haul and Disposal                                                    $55-65/ton
Waste Diversion Subsidies (recycling, composting and inert landfill)  $25-35/ton

                                                                              Tons       Rate/         Annual
                                                                                             Ton            Total

1998 Long Haul to Arlington                                   16,000  $60.00  $   960,000
Diverted Waste (recycling/compost/inert)                 15,000  $27.00  $   405,000
 
                                                                           Approx. 1998 Total $1,365.000

Approx. Cost to Long-Haul ‘98 Total Tons             31,000  $60.00  $1,860,000
 
     Approx. Net Disposal Cost Avoidance                                           $   495,000

5. In 1994, when the new recycling center opened, as part of a negotiated agreement between the City of Moscow and MR/LSI, the City began paying us a subsidy for each ton processed through the recycling center (see info above).  The City also provides the facility to us rent free.  In exchange, MR/LSI provide the expertise, equipment and labor to operate the facility.  This public/private cooperation allows us to accept a wide range of commodities at the recycling center.

6. MR/LSI accepts 24 commodities, some of which we by from our customers.  Since 1996 alone, we have paid out roughly $300,000 to the recycling public.  Due to poor market conditions, recycling centers that make a profit typically buy or accept only a few commodities.  Centers that accept a greater number of commodities typically charge the customer to drop off items that do not generate revenue.

7. MR/LSI has always been willing to operate the center independent of the City; however, this would mean our accepting only a few commodities.  Because this community has opted for expanded recycling services, our being independent from the City has not been an issue.

8. The City of Moscow's Health and Environment Commission oversees operations at the recycling center, provides input, and acts in an advisory capacity to the City.  We work very closely with this committee and we continually strive to make our operations more efficient.  Although our waste reduction activities have yet to be profitable, some day we hope our perseverance will be rewarded.  Until then, we hope to continue providing waste reduction services that maximize disposal cost avoidance for this community.

Please feel fee to call me (882-4417) or e-mail me (relene@turbonet.com) if you need further information.  I welcome your comments, questions and concerns.

Happy Recycling!

Relene Johnson, CEO
Latah Sanitation, Inc./Moscow Recycling