City, SWAC take a fresh look at recycling policies

The Solid Waste Advisory Committee’s first meeting with the Port Orchard City Council’ Finance Committee on Monday regarding the expansion of recyclables within the Port Orchard city limits was characterized “positive.”

The discussion focused on the city’s contract with Waste Management Northwest (Brem-Air Disposal) and its desire to expand the contract to include a larger array of recyclables.

The committees met with Waste Management Northwest to exchange ideas on how to affordably expand the scope of recycling in Port Orchard.

Stephanie Bailey, currently a member of the Port Orchard Planning Commission, was recently appointed to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC).

“(The discussion) was positive,” Bailey said.

Now the ball is in Port Orchard’s court.

In unincorporated Kitsap County — including communities as close to Port Orchard as Manchester and Olalla — residents can also recycle cardboard, paper and mail, paperback and phone books, paper food boxes, paper egg cartons, gift wrap, and some milk and juice cartons, as well as glass and cans.

Port Orchard recyclables are collected every other week by Waste Management Northwest.

Curbside recycling is required for all Port Orchard residents and objects must be sorted and placed their designated bins to ensure pick up. For this, Port Orchard residents pay Waste Management Northwest $2.68 per month.

According to Waste Management Northwest, the cost of collecting, sorting and remanufacturing some items is more than their recycling value. Residents would have to pay a higher premium to be able to recycle these types of goods, but only basic recycling would be required.

For more information on residential recycling call Waste Management Northwest at (800) 592-9995 or visit www.wmnorthwest.com/portorchard.

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