The Good and Bad News:

Curbside: The current curbside recycling program is working quite well. Because materials are monitored by the collection workers, we are able to successfully unload quality recyclable materials to the Lewiston recycling facility. With the extra materials that Lewiston accepts, we have increased our recycling tonnage within this program. Compared to 5.3 tons per month in 1998, we are currently averaging 12.7 tons/month.

Drop-offs: On the other hand, we must recognize that the drop-off recycling program is not functioning acceptably in its current state. Rejection of drop-off loads was always a potential problem, but now that problem has become even more acute. Some loads are immediately rejected because of contamination, and because of some problems with loads that were accepted, our rate of rejection is now 100%.

The committee has looked into various options, and decided that education through articles and signs was the most feasible plan of action. However, after several months of this, very little has changed. The long term solution appears to be to gain a contract with the RWS facility in Portland, where recycling loads are dumped, spread, and decontaminated. Nathan Poore has negotiated with them, and has taken a typical load down to their facility. Decontamination was possible with this load, so it appears that this facility will be able to accept our drop-off bins. However, it will probably be another three months before a contract can be established.

Recommendation: The Recycling Committee recommends closing the drop-off bins until a contract with RWS can be established.