In an effort to replace lost revenue from the downward spiral of the recycling industry, the Environmental Services Department in Tucson, Ariz., is considering adding a 45-cent recycling surcharge to all resident trash bills.
With low petroleum prices decreasing the demand for recycled materials and revenue from the sale of recycled items dropping from approximately $1.9 million to $405,260 within the past five years, adding the fee may help the city cover the cost of processing recyclables as well.
The city has not increased residential trash fees since 2010, and the Tucson City Council is expected to discuss the fee proposals on Tuesday, April 5, 2016. Final decisions about the proposed fee will not be made until public hearing takes place in May.
The Arizona Daily Star has the details:
The city Environmental Services Department wants to add 45 cents a month to your trash bill to replace revenue lost when the recycling market tanked.
It costs more than $200,000 for the city to process recyclables it picks up from the big blue bins outside homes and businesses.
Revenue from the sale of recycled items has dropped from nearly $1.9 million five years ago to $405,260 so far this year, with three months left to go in the fiscal year, said Environmental Services director Andy Quigley.
The city is projecting zero revenue from recycling next fiscal year.