TAMRMS#: B06
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Increased Costs for Styrofoam Recycling
Presented by: Kate Polkovsky, Director, Utilities & Environment
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That the City of St. Albert cancel the Styrofoam recycling program at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot, and investigate alternative options for consideration, by end of Q3, 2020.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
To provide an update to Council regarding the Styrofoam recycling at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot that began on July 1, 2019.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #6: Environmental Stewardship: Explore innovative environmental and conservation opportunities.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
This would be an additional item acceptable at the Recycling Depot “City of St. Albert Services and Service Levels Inventory”:
“The recycling depot is a staffed depot open 47 hours per week, 6 days/week.
The depot accepts recyclables (paper, cardboard and aluminum) as well as hazardous
chemicals, paint, oil, tires, electronics, batteries and scrap metal.”
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
File ID CB-20-021
1. That the polystyrene (Styrofoam) recycling program at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot continue to operate as a permanent program funded from 2020 in the amount of $8,000 from the Stabilization reserve with consideration of funding in future years from utility rates for recycling.
File ID B06 / AR-19-111
1. That the February 25, 2019 Agenda Report titled “Styrofoam Recycling at the Depot” be received as information.
2. That the City of St. Albert implement a one-year pilot program for the recycling of expanded polystyrene at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot with project funding of $12,000 from the Stabilization Fund and;
3. That Administration report the findings of the of the pilot back to Council by Q2 2020.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
On July 1, 2019 the City began accepting clean, white packing Styrofoam blocks from electronics, appliances, or furniture at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot. $12,000 was funded from the stabilization reserve to support the pilot program. From July to January 2020, residents brought 3,370 kg of Styrofoam to the Recycling Depot, diverting it from the landfill.
On February 10, 2020 Administration provided an update on the pilot program to the Community Growth & Infrastructure Standing Committee. $8,000 was funded from the stabilization reserve to cover the on-going Contractor processing costs of the program for 2020, and Council approved the program to be permanent moving forward. The costs of the program in 2021 and moving forward will be built into the recycling utility rates.
On May 12, 2020 the City’s Styrofoam recycling contractor, the only known local company, reported that there are additional on-going operational costs attributed to labour to support Styrofoam recycling.
If the City were to continue the Styrofoam recycling program it would cost $39,000 for 2020, an increase of $31,000. The Contractor is asking for changes to storage infrastructure, which is a one-time cost of $15,000. Processing costs will increase 3x, therefore increasing from $8,000 to $24,000 a year. The additional $31,000 would be required from the stabilization fund.
For 2021, the cost would be $24,000 a year, which would be approximately $0.09 per month, or $1.08 per year per household to continue this program.
Due to current economic projections and cost management measures, Administration is seeking Council's confirmation that this program should be continued despite the greatly increased costs (and additional funding committed to it) or if the program should be discontinued as per Administration's recommendation.
Although this item would normally go first to the Standing Committee, due to restrictive timelines it is being presented directly to Council.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
If the program was cancelled the City would undergo a communication initiative to provide users with advance notice that Styrofoam is no longer accepted at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
This would reduce the ongoing operational costs for 2021 and onward, directly attributed to Styrofoam Recycling, within the Solid Waste Utility Mode.
Legal / Risk:
None at this time
Program or Service:
This would cancel the Styrofoam recycling program currently in place at the Mike Mitchell Recycling Depot.
Organizational:
None at this time
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
N/A
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Report Date: June 1, 2020
Author(s): Kate Polkovsky
Committee/Department: Utilities & Environment
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble