Recycling report for Queens

Committee of the Whole heard an update from Scott LeBlanc, Operations Foreman for Solid Waste, on Feb. 10. He broke the materials down into categories, stating what it is worth at the moment and what the Region is doing with the material.

In 2007-2008 the Region of Queens took in 1,870 metric tonnes of recyclables. Almost 850 tonnes came from Queens Co. with the rest coming from adjacent municipalities that have contracted with the Region. A bale of recycling is roughly 3 ft by 4 ft by 5 ft, with its weight dependant on what the material is.

Refundables: These are items that a deposit is collected on when purchased, like pop bottles and juice tins. So far these have not lost their value.

Film/Grocery bag: This is any thin plastic like grocery bags, blue and garbage bags, and plastic wrap. The market in China is closed for now, so the Region has 61 bales on hand. In the past, the Region received $60 a tonne, but at the moment it is worth $0. The Region is stockpiling this until the value increases again.

Mixed Plastic 1-7: This is plastic that somewhere it is marked with the recycling symbol and a number in the middle. The last time it was sold was in Dec., and they now have 100 bales worth. Currently however, the value dropped from $20 to $0. While they can still ship it if they wish, they decided to store it until the value increases.

Mixed Paper and Newsprint: What you are reading this on! The Region is still selling this, and the value has not changed from $80 a metric tonne. “I have been told by Scotia Recycling that a bale of our mixed paper is highly sought after, because of the quality of our bales,” said LeBlanc.

Cardboard: The price of cardboard went to $0 after Oct. 2008. Currently the Region has 275 bales stockpiled, and is waiting for the price to rise.

LeBlanc attributes this problem to the market in China closing, and three mills that process cardboard shutting down for much of Dec. However, he says the markets will reopen soon and prices are expected to reach $75 a metric tonne for the rest of 2009.

Beer Bottles: These are sold to a local dealer, with no change for 2009.

Gable Milk Cartons: The Region receives an average of $35 per metric tonne, as well as a milk packaging reimbursement every year based on the tonnes they receive.

Tetra Top or UHT Milk: This item has no value right now, and the Region has not shipped any in the past. It takes a year to accumulate 12 bales, and the Region has 46 bales. LeBlanc says the item has been sitting too long, and needs to be moved soon. They have found a buyer who will pay for the shipping costs, but the Region will not receive any money for the product.

Glass: The Region is stockpiling it until the value returns.

Tin/Aluminum: The price for tin dropped to $0, and aluminum is down to $100 a metric tonne. The Region is stockpiling it until prices go up.

LeBlanc said the Solid Waste Management Facility is still expected to make a small gain in revenue, despite the loss of recyclable’s value. He also said the facility has enough room to stockpile the items until the prices go back up.