Single-stream recycling is the new way to go green

By Andrew Bugel and Tyler Trill

In an effort to increase recycling and revenue, Portage County has adopted “single-stream recycling.”Plans to move to single-stream recycling will take place in November.

Before the move, the county used “duel-stream recycling” as the main method of sorting recyclables. However, more communities have decided to go with single-stream and Portage County is following in their path.

Duel-stream recycling involves separating recyclables into two separate containers. Glass bottles and cans will go in one container, while fiber products such as newspapers, magazines and cardboard are placed in a separate container. The new system of single-stream recycling will combine all recyclables, including cardboard, into one bin which will be transported and separated at the Waste Management drop-off facility. Residents will no longer have to worry about sorting through their recyclables and they won’t have to travel to the county drop-off location to dispose of them. Single-stream recycling takes care of that.

Reasons for single-streaming

William Steiner has been the director of Portage County Solid Waste Management since 2007. His company is currently involved in duel-stream recycling but will be converting to single-stream in the November.

Steiner says there are many reasons why single-stream recycling is becoming the preferred choice. The main goal of moving to single-stream recycling is to increase participation in recycling among the general population. Steiner says Portage County Solid Waste Management wants to increase recycling by 50%, while keeping residents up-to-date on all activity.

“We’re going to make sure that the residents are notified about the changes properly,” Steiner said. “Each household will receive a two-wheel, 95-gallon cart which they will use to put all of their recyclables in.”

Earlier in the year, a survey was sent around to residents in Portage County asking them what they thought about moving to single-stream recycling. Residents agreed with the idea.

“Currently, we service about 300-400 homes in Portage County per day per route, including the people who didn’t put any recyclables out that year,” Steiner said. “Single-stream recycling will allow us to service up to about 1,100 homes per day.”

Driver safety also plays a big role in the move. Steiner says that driving a trash or recycling truck is one of the top five most dangerous jobs out there and protecting the safety of the drivers is essential.

“There are many instances where drivers will fall off the truck or get hit by something or someone while riding on the back of the truck,” Steiner said. “We’re going to let the equipment do the work this time. We have three new trucks that are being built for the job and will be completed by October 21. Our drivers are very happy about this. All they will have to do is sit in the cab and operate the truck from the inside. This will ensure their safety.”

Steven Moore has been a driver at Portage County Solid Waste Management for about six months and agrees that the move to single-stream is a good one for the county.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Moore said.  “Moving to single-stream is a better overall way of operating. It is actually going to save us money and gas by using just one bin and having an organized route.”

Disadvantages

While there are many advantages to single-stream recycling, there are also a few disadvantages the company understands and plans to address.

Portage County Solid Waste Management employs 31 staff members, 14 of which are drivers. With three new trucks arriving and no need for workers to ride the back of the truck and load recyclables, efficiency outweighs employment. Steiner says his company may not need as many drivers but he still plans to work with them and do all he can to keep as many of them employed as possible.

“What we are trying to do right now is work with any employees we may not keep and make sure they find another job,” Steiner said. “With more people recycling now under single-stream, we plan to expand our routes and this will help us keep more drivers on staff.”

Another disadvantage is cross-contamination. Steiner says contamination is a big issue because a lot of people don’t know what is or isn’t recyclable or they just don’t care.

“Some people treat recycling at the garbage service,” Steiner said. “A lot of people will put stuff in the bins or drop stuff off at the drop-box, like Styrofoam cups, that don’t belong there. People will come to the drop-off and leave TV’s, couches and other furniture. We’re working to police this situation. Fines will be assessed and we have upgraded our camera system to read license plate number at night to catch people doing this. We just want cooperation and we want people to understand what is and isn’t recyclable.”

According to Steiner, everybody will also receive a package of information with their new container that explains what is and isn’t recyclable, as well as a new website that explains the same thing.

Still a work in progress

Steiner said that even though the plan is to move to single-stream by November, there is still much to do.

“We still have a lot of elements to put together,” Steiner said. We’re still figuring out all the details such as routing software so our trucks will be able to figure out the routes. The biggest component we are trying to stress is education and awareness. So far, everybody seems to be very compliant.”