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<br />2020 Solid Waste and Moderate <br />Risk Waste Management Plan Update <br /> <br />4-10 AX0304191054PDX <br />National contamination rates for recycling vary depending on location and recycling program; however, <br />they can reach 25 percent according to City Lab.10 This percentage presents challenges since China <br />rolled out a 0.5 percent contamination limit. <br />4.3.4 City and County Recycling Programs <br />Recycling opportunities are available in Kittitas County through curbside collection service, drop-off <br />locations, and other facilities. An updated list of city and County recycling programs is provided in <br />brochures and the County website. The County promotes awareness of its recycling programs through <br />education and outreach, as described in Chapter 4.3.12. <br />4.3.5 Curbside Collection of Recyclables <br />In Ellensburg, curbside recycling service is available on a subscription basis by a private hauler with a <br />WUTC G-certificate. There is sufficient population for only one G-certificate. <br />Ellensburg recycling is collected in a single-stream system on a bi-weekly basis. Every garbage <br />subscriber may participate in the curbside recycling program at no extra charge. Challenging recycling <br />market conditions make this economically unsustainable because the cost of recycling is greater than the <br />cost of disposal for private haulers. Table 4-4 shows the categories and types of materials currently <br />collected in the curbside collection program. Reduced markets and increased costs to recycle may impact <br />the material types that are collected per the curbside collection program and this list should also be <br />considered dynamic and open to modification during the term of the SWMP. <br />Table 4-4. Materials Collected in Ellensburg Curbside <br />Collection Program <br />Material Category Material Type <br />Paper Newspaper <br />Cardboard <br />Magazines <br />Metal Tin Cans <br />Aluminum Cans <br />Plastic PETE <br />HDPE <br />4.3.6 Drop--off at Transfer Stations <br />4.3.6.1 Recyclables <br />The County currently has drop boxes for residents at each of its transfer stations for the collection of <br />aluminum cans, tin cans, newspapers, magazines, container glass, corrugated cardboard, HDPE plastic <br />milk jugs, and PETE soda bottles. These boxes are monitored and serviced by Waste Management. <br />Additionally, ferrous and nonferrous metals, tires, and appliances are accepted for a fee. Accepted <br />appliances include clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, ranges, refrigerators, freezers, and other <br />similar large household appliances. The County may contract for the processing of refrigerators, freezers, <br />and air conditioners. Refrigerant is recovered for recycling and compressor oil is recovered for secure <br />disposal and/or treatment. The appliances are then processed with other non-refrigerant containing white <br />goods into bales and sold as scrap. <br /> <br />10 https://www.citylab.com/environment/2019/04/recycling-waste-management-us-china-national-sword-change/584665/