Baker City Discuss Recycling Collection Changes and Closing Volunteer Board Applications
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, January 30th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY – (Information from the City of Baker City) In a recent weekly update, City Manager for Baker City Jonathan Cannon provided insight to several ongoing projects including possible changes to recycling collection and the final call for city council volunteers. Cannon’s statements on the projects are as follows:
“A recent bill passed by the state increases the required recovery rates of target recycling materials the city must meet. Baker Sanitary holds the franchise agreement for solid waste and recycling collection within Baker City. They also operate the sanitary landfill. The new recycling laws will necessitate changes to the operations of recycling collection within Baker City. The city council discussed at length whether these changes should include curbside recycling or expanded recycling depot services. Markets that buy recycling materials from collection services have a significant impact on the cost of recycling services. Many things affect those markets, few of which we as a city or citizen have the ability to impact. One thing we can do locally to reduce the cost of the service is to do our best to have clean recycling materials. Contamination of collected recycled material means the material is thrown away instead of taken to market. It can also do damage to sorting equipment or require additional manpower and touchpoints to hand sort the contamination. The council will continue these discussions.”
“One last call for volunteers before the council makes appointments. City Council set a closing date of January 31, for accepting applications for Boards and Commissions. They will then interview and appoint on February 14 at their regular council meeting. Now is the time to submit your application to the City Recorder to be on a Board or Commission. Every Board and Commission of the city has open seats so there is a place for you to be part of the work. The Parks and Recreation Board encourages a youth and a senior membership member. If you have a youth who might be a good fit for the Parks and Recreation Board, contact Dallas Brockett, City Recorder at cityrecorder@bakercity.gov”
