Recyclables net different rates

By Brian Indrelunas, For the Tribune May 5, 2006

Scottsdale has some of the East Valleys most valuable homes, but the recyclable materials left outside those houses fetch the lowest price among major East Valley municipalities.

The city got $7.85 per ton in April for the recyclables it takes to a sorting plant in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, said Rick Pence, director of Scottsdales Solid Waste Department. Mesa takes its recyclables to the same site and sometimes receives more than double that rate.

Meanwhile, Gilbert will get $42 for every ton of recyclables it takes to the same facility starting July 1, town spokesman Greg Svelund said.

That contract is with a new company, Svelund said. Its considerably more than it was this year.

Scottsdale rate for its recyclables can change daily based on global market trends, Pence said. He said the city got $11.38 per ton in July, and the contract guarantees at least $5 per ton.

Pence said the reason other communities are getting a better rate than Scottsdale is because the city negotiated its 15-year contract with River Recycling in the Salt River community when the market was lower in 2000.

We stepped out first when it came to starting recycling, Pence said.

Pence said the city intends to review its contract in 2010.

Gilbert currently takes its recyclables to a sorting facility in Chandler run by Abitibi Consolidated, where it is paid $5 per ton.

The resale market (for recyclables) has really grown exponentially, Svelund said.

Mesa also is paid a variable rate based on the materials market value, said Mariano Reyes, spokesman for the citys environmental management division. In March, the city received an average of $16.64 per ton, he said.

Scott Tenney, president of Hudson Baylor Corp., which runs the Salt River community plant, said his company often gets municipal recycling contracts.

Every city wants a different arrangement, Tenney said. Whatever the city wants, we do.

Tempe takes its recyclables to a Waste Management plant in Phoenix, acting solid waste director Charlie Bladine said. Last year, Tempe received an average of $16.05 per ton for the recyclables.

Chandlers contract with the Abitibi sorting facility was extended last summer.

With the extension, they made the offer to increase the revenue per ton, said Sheree Sepulveda, the citys environmental programs education coordinator.

Chandler now receives $18 per ton, up from $6.50 under the original contract.

Recycling revenue goes to cities solid waste programs.

Its not a profitable application, Scottsdales solid waste systems coordinator James Livingston said. However, some of the things you cant see in dollars.

He said recycling helps the environment and saves landfill space. That, in turn, saves cities money.

Gilbert, Scottsdale and Mesa pay $21.47 per ton to drop trash at the Salt River landfill also in the Salt River community.

Chandler and Tempe pay to drop trash at Waste Managements Butterfield landfill south of the Valley.

- Tribune writer Jonathan Athens contributed to this story.

Contact Brian Indrelunas by telephone at (480) 898-6514