Porter County
Recycling & Waste Reduction (PCRWR) is reporting the discovery of three bags
labeled bio-waste in a roll-off recycling container located on the property
of Strack & Van Til on U.S. Highway 30 in Valparaiso.
Waste hauler
Republic made the discovery while attempting to empty the roll-off
containers. Republic subsequently returned the full container to the site
and Tradebe Environmental Services, a company retained by PCRWR for
household hazardous waste collection events, was called to remove and secure
the bags. Stericycle will analyze and properly dispose of the contents.
In the meantime,
the drop-off containers will remain locked and unusable by the public.
“This is an example
of contamination that is placing this program in jeopardy,” said Therese
Haller, executive director of PCRWR. “Not only does contamination cost
money, as two companies are now involved for proper disposal, but it can
place people’s lives at risk, workers’ and users’ of the service. In
addition, residents may be inconvenienced because a container remains full
and locked.”
“If the bags leaked
or broke open, the entire contents may be considered contaminated and would
need special disposal at a cost to match,” Haller added. “If user behavior
does not change, it is possible that this drop-off service will eventually
end.”
Contamination
occurs when items that are not recyclable are mixed in with correct
materials. Under the district’s new contract with Republic Services, the
waste hauler will no longer recycle the contents of the drop-off recycling
boxes with more than 10 percent contamination; instead, all of the contents
will be landfilled at an additional cost.
New drop-off
containers featuring locked lids and restricted openings to help discourage
contamination will soon replace old containers in Porter County; however,
service changes may not stop there if user behavior doesn’t improve.
“Ideally we would
like to move to staffed sites, so we can monitor what is placed in the boxes
and only accept appropriate material,” Haller said. “This will mean
restricted access to the boxes, fewer convenient locations, and a schedule
of availability.”
PCRWR, a government
agency, operates drop-off recycling sites in Burns Harbor, Chesterton,
Valparaiso, Hebron, Boone Grove, and Kouts that are well used by residents;
some are without access to curbside recycling, like those who live in
apartments and condos. Other residents use the drop boxes when their
curbside recycling totes overflow with materials.
The drop-off sites
accept the same items that Northwest Indiana residents can place in their
curbside totes or bins like plastic bottles, tubs and jugs; aluminum and
metal cans; glass bottles and jars; cartons; paper and cardboard.
Larger amounts of
contamination were acceptable until earlier this year when countries like
China, the United States’ largest consumer of recyclables, said it would no
longer purchase materials mixed with trash.
The solid waste
district isn’t alone in feeling the effects of this international recycling
crisis. As contracts with waste haulers get renegotiated, municipalities
across Northwest Indiana are faced with this additional contamination
challenge and cost.
In order to sell
collected recyclables to China and other countries, material recovery
facilities (MRFs) around the world that sort recyclables are pushing back at
waste haulers, municipalities, and residents to greatly reduce contamination
or face increased recycling rates and reduced recycling services.
“Now more than
ever, we need quality over quantity when it comes to what residents place in
their curbside recycling totes,” Haller said. “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Haller said
residents should think about their recyclables as products that a company
will buy.
“If your materials
are not appropriate, empty, or clean, no one wants them,” she said. “If you
place contamination in your curbside recycling bin or in our drop-off boxes,
you are doing everyone a disservice, including the individuals who are
recycling right.”