Dive Brief:
- The city of Kokomo, IN will partner with Recovery Recycling Inc. in a probable 10-year contract for curbside recycling, moving away from Kokomo Recycling. The city announced last week that it will start curbside recycling in December, with full service by Jan. 1. Recovery Recycling of Peru, IN will move its operations to a former grain storage warehouse in Kokomo, with a 24-hour recycling drop-off.
- Recovery Recycling owner Mike Rorbik said the facility will increase its staff from eight to 25 over the next six months. The city will pay $62 per ton for processing and handling, down from $85 a ton proposed by Kokomo Recycling.
- Another reason for the service switch was Recovery Recycling's lack of progress in installing equipment for its material recycling facility. City Director of Operations Randy McKay said Recovery "has the equipment, manpower and knowledge that we think it takes to make the program successful." Kokomo Recycling Owner J.D. Mohr did not respond to the Tribune's requests for comment.
Dive Insight:
Waste and recycling is a competitive business, and the city did what it felt was best for residents.
Making recycling easier for residents is always a good move to increase participation and reduce waste going to landfills. It's particularly important to get it right when rolling out a new service like curbside pickup, to reduce complaints, and to gain residents' cooperation. On Dec. 1, curbside recycling will begin in 25% of Kokomo, with a new area added each week of December.
Mayor Greg Goodnight in a statement: "With this agreement, we move forward and we are looking forward to the implementation of our program ... Additionally, the private investment and jobs coming to Kokomo, as well as those being created, is a double win for our citizens."