No to plastic bags, yard waste, random household goods and appliances in your recycling cart.
Emily Harrell, Lakeland city engineer, said recycling contamination continues in the City with 15% of the loads collected last week deemed contaminated.
“Last week alone, we had three truckloads deemed contaminated,” said Mrs. Harrell. That means 10% of the load is unacceptable or dirty,” she said.
“We are still spot-checking bins and tagging the contaminated ones. However we do not have the manpower to inspect all bins. Our main issues are plastic bags, yard waste, and random household goods and appliances.”
Statistics from Mrs. Harrell and Memphis Recycling
Cost to process recyclables – $117.30/ton
Cost to process contaminated recyclables – $267.30/ton
Average transport of recyclables – 140 tons monthly
Annual cost to process recyclables – $200,000 estimate
Additional cost for contamination – $40,000 annually at current contamination rate
“The Solid Waste Fund sole source of revenue is residential user rates,” said Mrs. Harrell. “Over the last several months, the City has increased its education campaign to help residents recycle properly. Ultimately, residents are responsible for what is placed in their bin. If contamination continues to be an issue it may result in an increase to the Solid Waste Fee.”
