Which recycling option do you prefer?

FOR WINCHESTER CITY RESIDENTS ONLY

In January 2019, the City was notified that its current recycling processor, Southern Scrap, Inc. (SSI), would no longer be accepting glass and some plastics due to major changes in the global recycling markets. Since then, the City has been notified that SSI will stop accepting all plastics and aluminum as of July 15. SSI also anticipates that they will stop accepting cardboard and paper by the end of 2019. Each year, the City collects approximately 2,100 tons of recycling materials from residential and commercial properties for a cost of approximately $25,000 after receiving all available and applicable recycling rebates.

Since January, City staff has researched short-term options for the City’s recycling program to be made prior to July 15. Staff presented two feasible short-term options to Council:

Option #1: The City will collect the community’s co-mingled plastics, aluminum, paper and cardboard (no glass) curbside and haul them to a recycling facility in Manassas. This is the only facility in the area that will accept the City's recycling materials. The cost for this option would be $105/ton for the materials hauled, or approximately $220,000 per year plus an additional $25,000/year for additional fuel and vehicle maintenance. The current budget for recycling processing is $50,000, a fraction of the $245,000 needed for this option. Therefore, a recycling fee may be added to utility bills to help cover the cost (similar to the existing $5/month charged for trash collection).

Option #2: The City will take and dispose of the materials at the Frederick County landfill. The cost for this option would be $20/ton, or approximately $42,000 per year. Additional fees will not be charged to residents.

City Council and staff have created this poll to ask residents their preference regarding this issue. 

NOTE: Neither option is expected to be a long-term solution as the City continues to research and discuss other options for the future. If you have any innovative ideas for long term solutions, we'd love to hear from you. Please email staff at recycle@winchesterva.gov.