FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2019
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications, tjumper@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5152
Stacy Ellifritt, Media and Communications, stacy.ellifritt@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2005
City Council Approves Ordinance for Residential Curbside Recycling Changes
The Tacoma City Council passed Ordinance No. 28623 on Tuesday, Oct. 29, approving changes to the City of Tacoma’s residential curbside recycling program.
These changes include maintaining residential curbside commingled recycling service, with minor adjustments to the accepted curbside recycling list. A new recycling surcharge of $2.82 per month for all residential recycling customers, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020. Additionally, Solid Waste Management plans to replace curbside glass collection with five glass drop-off stations throughout the city. Curbside glass collection will continue until these locations are finalized in early 2020.
Part of the monthly surcharge ($2.32) will cover the increased processing, marketing, and shipping of recyclables due to global recycling industry changes. This portion of the surcharge is set to be reexamined in December 2022. The remainder of the monthly surcharge ($0.50) will fund increased education and outreach for the City’s residential curbside recycling program. This portion is set to sunset on December 31, 2023.
“The global recycling industry has changed dramatically since China greatly reduced its recycling imports in 2018,” said Lewis Griffith, Solid Waste Management division manager. “The recycling program changes accepted by City Council were selected after extensive community input as well as evaluating the best strategies to keep our local recycling programs sustainable. As these changes get underway, Solid Waste Management will continue to monitor how they are affecting our customers and our programs.”
These changes will be identified on customers’ bills as “Recycle Reset Surcharge.” Customers who participate in the Tacoma Public Utilities and Environmental Services bill payment assistance programs will be waived from this surcharge.
For more information on these changes, visit TacomaRecycles.org/Changes or contact Solid Waste Management at (253) 502-2100.
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