Fort Wayne, IN City Council Gives Initial OK on Recycling Processing Contract with GFL

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Fort Wayne residents’ recycling is expected to soon be taken to Michigan for processing. Fort Wayne City Council discussed a 10-year contract with GFL Environmental for processing recyclables. Processing the city’s 11,800 tons of recycling next year would likely cost more than $1.4 million, or $125 per ton.

The city would continue to get back some of those funds as it will collect 80% of the revenue generated by the processed recycling that can be sold. The city has received 75% of the revenue with its current provider, Republic Services. Matt Gratz, the city’s solid waste manager, said based on this year’s rates, the revenue next year could be nearly $600,000.

Residents’ solid waste bills are not expected to rise because the increased price of processing recycling was worked into the last rate increase, Gratz said. The processing cost is expected to increase annually. GFL’s proposal also includes a full-time promotion and education coordinator who would work with schools and neighborhoods to teach people about recycling in an effort to increase the practice.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com