Dive Summary:

• Flathead County in Montana will lose $50,000 per year if it sticks with its current recycling services, Valley Recycling.
• County officials have been pondering dropping the recycling program or entering into a new contract with the recycling company, which will cost the county three times its current rate.
• The total costs to keep services running will be approximately $188,000 per year to collect and process 1,200 tons of recyclable material.

From the article:

When the county advertised for proposals from local recycling companies, Valley Recycling was the only company interested, and its proposed rates are substantially higher.

Recycling saves valuable space in the county landfill, (Public Works director) Prunty acknowledged, but since 1998 the county has lost roughly $403,400 on recycling.

"...I could tend toward negating the program,” (Commissioner) Krueger said. “We’re not a big enough area to drive competition.”