Business

Berkeley County Officials Consider Recycling Contract Changes

by The Berkeley Observer
If passed and when the contract is signed, a resident would have to place plastic, glass and aluminum in their regular household trash starting September 1st of this year, unless the resident chooses to subscribe to a private curbside recycling program.
If passed and when the contract is signed, a resident would have to place plastic, glass and aluminum in their regular household trash starting September 1st of this year, unless the resident chooses to subscribe to a private curbside recycling program.

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Berkeley County’s Human Resources and Purchasing Committee voted Monday night to recommend that County Council approve contractual changes to the county’s convenience center recycling contract, when Council meets again on July 25th.

Currently, Berkeley County Water and Sanitation has 9 manned and 13 unmanned convenience center and drop-off locations across Berkeley County, offering recycling opportunities for paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum and metal.

These recyclables are then delivered to Sonoco Recycling’s Charleston location. The current contract with Sonoco is scheduled to end on August 31, 2016.

Berkeley County Water and Sanitation
Berkeley County Water and Sanitation

Last night’s committee vote was to recommend that the County Council approve a contract amendment with Sonoco to extend the contract for paper and cardboard only until August 31, 2017. The contract amendment would also give the County an option to bring all recyclables, including plastic, aluminum and metal, to Sonoco’s Columbia facility.

However, the cost associated with hauling all recyclables to Columbia is “unfeasible,” according to Berkeley County officials.

“Without significantly raising the rates of Berkeley County residents, hauling all recyclables to Sonoco’s Columbia location for single-stream recycling is unfeasible,” said Councilman Josh Whitley, who chairs the Human Resources and Purchasing Committee. “I am confident saying that County Council and the County Supervisor do not want to significantly raise rates for a short-term fix, with Repower South’s single-stream center in Berkeley County on the horizon.”

The contract amendment, which affects only the convenience centers and drop-off locations – not curbside pick-up, has not been signed. Last night’s vote by the Human Resources and Purchasing Committee was to show the Committee’s approval to move forward with final contract negotiations. Council is scheduled to hear public input and vote on final approval of the contract amendment at the July 25th meeting.

If passed and when the contract is signed, a resident would have to place plastic, glass and aluminum in their regular household trash starting September 1st of this year, unless the resident chooses to subscribe to a private curbside recycling program. The County would continue to collect paper and cardboard at all convenience center and drop-off locations.

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