Ever wonder just how we got to be so dependent on plastics? In Never gonna give you up: how plastic seduced America, journalist Susan Strasser takes us on tour of America’s plastic story from first production in 1907, to the Disneyland plastic “house of the future,” to today’s single-use obsession. It’s an eye-opening journey through our love affair with plastic.
Read the full Guardian.com article here.
There’s no doubt that the recycling industry is changing. Over the last few years there have been significant fluctuations in the markets for plastics and other recyclables that have caused us (and everyone else) to reevaluate the status quo. As we react and take measures to address these changes, it’s easy to feel discouraged about recycling, but today we came across an article that reminded us that what we need at this pivotal moment is optimism.
In the Waste 360 article “Why (and How) to Talk Optimistically About Recycling Right Now” author Kate Bailey provides several upshots to the current market woes that she says are a testament that recycling is going to come out stronger. Specifically she lists:
• We are (finally!) investing in domestic recycling processing and markets.
• We are recognizing recycling is more about quality than tonnage.
• We are starting to have a real conversation about plastics.
• We are shifting responsibility from cities to producers.
• We are getting closer to talking about the true costs.
• We are looking beyond the blue bin.
To read the full article, and tap into Bailey’s educated optimism, click here.
This guide was produced by Marin Sanitary Service, Marin Hazardous and Solid Waste Joint Powers Authority, Sonoma County Waste Management Agency, WM EarthCare, Mill Valley Refuse Service, Recology Sonoma Marin, and Bay Cities Refuse.
The special section was published May 9, 2018 in the Pacific Sun and the North Bay Bohemian and May 10, 2018 in the Marin IJ and Press Democrat.
For a printable version of the Recycle Right publication, please click here.
Check out Matthew Pera’s May 31, 2019 Marin IJ article titled “Plastic bans are a growing trend in Marin” to learn about the challenges recyclers are facing selling plastics and the steps some of our local cities are taking to reduce the amount of plastics we use.
Remember, a good rule of thumb for plastic recyclability is: recycle only plastic bottles, jugs or tubs.
If you’re not sure if a material can be recycled, our “Where Does it Go, Joe?” tool will help you find out.
The Spring 2019 Marin Sanitary Service newsletter is out and should be arriving in your mailbox.
In it we cover the new website, our new “Where’s it Go, Joe?” online tool and mobile app and some important upcoming event dates.
Open the Spring 2019 Newsletter (pdf)
The Container Recycling Institute (CRI) knows a thing or two about recycling. They produce research, reporting, and education on policies and practices that empower communities to reduce waste (and related emissions) and increase recovery, reuse, and high-end/closed loop recycling of beverage containers, packaging and printed paper.
In their latest webinar titled, “Duty to Warn: New Impending Crises & Price Drops and How that Impacts Recycling Programs” they explained financial challenges facing the recycling community in 2019 and debunked the notion that plastic and aluminum recyclables are so valuable that they essentially pay for curbside recycling service.
The webinar also addressed such topics as:
You can read more about the webinar and topics covered here.
Learn more about CRI by visiting their website at www.container-recycling.org.
The following information is from Patricia Garbarino, President of Marin Sanitary Service.
For the past two years, MSS has been working with jurisdictions we serve and their independent third party, R3 Consulting, to make improvements to the way rates are set. We are pleased to announce that this was accomplished this year. Two things came out of the review: the new rates for 2019, and a new procedure that will streamline and simplify the annual rate setting process for future years.
After conducting a thorough review and analysis of our rate application, R3 reported their findings at public hearing before the City and Town Councils and Boards in December 2018, January, February, March and April 2019. Rate increases varied for each jurisdiction depending on programs, services and government fees.
Most of this increase has been due to several unforeseen and uncontrollable events that have occurred over the past two years and have greatly affected the recycling world.
You may have read in the papers or heard broadcasts about China’s decision to severely cut back or stop buying recyclables from the U.S (also known as the Chinese National Sword). China is the largest buyer of our recycled materials in California. The result was to significantly decrease the value of the products we recycle. Markets have been on the decline for the past three years, getting much worse in 2018 and economists are predicting that this is the new normal.
In addition, we are also seeing more contamination (items that do not belong) in our recycling. Some of this is from “wishful” recycling (placing items in your recycling cart in hopes they are recyclable when they are really just garbage). Another factor is that people continue to consume more and more, and most packaging is really not recyclable. The result of all of this is increased processing costs with little to no revenue from the sale of the recyclables to help offset these costs.
In addition to the financial effects described above, further contributors to the rate increase include increasing labor costs, rising fuel prices, and increasing landfill disposal and organics processing costs. Around the Bay Area, other customers have experienced rate increases of 10% to 60% for the same reasons.
MSS strives to provide good jobs in the community so we can hire local people and they can afford to live here. Marin Sanitary Service remains committed to recycling excellence. Our early adoption of dual stream recycling gives MSS an advantage in adapting to these recycling challenges; however, there are likely more changes ahead. While the industry is changing, we do not want to discourage you from continuing the good practice of recycling. We will continue to investigate and implement new technologies and to educate our customers on proper recycling.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Kimberly Scheibly, Director of Customer Relations, at 415-458-5514.
Definitely! While recycling is no longer a net-revenue generator, it is still important in that it conserves natural resources and helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Unfortunately, there is no manual for this but we are developing an online and mobile app tool called “Where Does it Go, Joe?” that will help you sort properly.
While recycling is no longer a net-revenue generator, it is still important in that it conserves natural resources and helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
California State law requires businesses and organizations to recycle. Click here to learn more.
Unfortunately, there is no manual for this but we are developing an online and mobile app tool called “Where Does it Go, Joe?” that will help you sort properly.
While recycling is no longer a net-revenue generator, it is still important in that it conserves natural resources and helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
California State law requires businesses and organizations to recycle. Click here to learn more.
Unfortunately, there is no manual for this but we are developing an online and mobile app tool called “Where Does it Go, Joe?” that will help you sort properly.
Marin Sanitary Service is dedicated to the goal set by Marin County to reach Zero Waste by 2025. One of the most influential populations is the student and teacher community at schools. That’s why we offer School Programs for our community. We hope that by educating the youngest members of our society the effects will trickle upward and provide positive impacts throughout the rest of the County. Schools are a place where leadership, community, and responsibility are all valued and praised, why not include sustainability into this equation?
Here are just a few examples of successful programs at local schools.
Dixie School District worked hard in 2012 to develop a comprehensive waste plan that can be used by any district. Click here to download the the The Dixie District Waste Diversion Program.
Dixie Elementary School spent several years enhancing their recycling program with the help of Marin Sanitary Service. Download the case study to see their results of the Dixie District Waste Reduction Case Study 2011.
Laurel Dell Elementary was the subject of an intensive pilot study to measure the effects of outreach and education on zero waste efforts at a school conducted by Marin Sanitary Service in partnership with Zero Waste Marin, Conservation Corps North Bay, and Strategic Energy Innovations. Laurel Dell received hands on training and assistance with every step of the program and finished the pilot with decreased garbage service levels by 25%, and increased recycling and composting services as well as an increased level of sorting participation school wide. The effects of this pilot study lead to more engagement from staff and students in regards to zero waste efforts and goals. Laurel Dell will serves as a model school for the rest of Marin County.
Below is a list of changes the school implemented that helped lead to their success:
It’s anything put in your curbside containers that does not belong there. For example, if you are putting all of your recyclables in plastic bags, the plastic bag would be considered a contaminant because it is not accepted in the recycling program. Even recoverable materials, like plastics and paper products, can act as contaminants if they are placed in the wrong recycling container. MSS operates a dual-stream recycling program, meaning paper is collected separately from glass, plastic, and metal containers and it is important that these materials are kept separated.
When in doubt, ask an expert! If you aren’t sure if an item can be recycled, use our “Where Does It Go, Joe” tool to find out if your item is accepted in your recycling or organics cart.
As we mentioned previously, contaminants can have serious negative consequences for your recycling program. Here are just a few examples:
The best way to avoid contamination in your recycling stream is to use our “Where Does It Go, Joe” tool to find out if your item is accepted in your recycling or organics cart. Aside from this, here are some additional things you can do to reduce the contamination of your recycling at your home or work space:
In 2014, Marin Sanitary Service conducted a waste characterization study to find out what was being collected in residential landfill carts. The study found that less than half of the material collected was classified as ”true garbage.” Approximately 38% of the material could have been placed in the compostables cart.
Please help us in diverting compostable material such as yard and food waste away from landfill and into compost where it belongs!
