Clarifying details about recycling program

In the Thursday, Oct. 8 issue of the Columbia Basin Herald, opinion section, there was an editorial written by the Herald’s editorial board about the proposed curbside recycling program for the City of Moses Lake. Although we are pleased about the editorial boards’ general opinion that the curbside program would be good for the city, we are concerned about the misinformation presented in the editorial.

First, it is inferred in the editorial that Lakeside Disposal will receive money from the commodities that are collected from the curbside program and sold to outside markers. This is incorrect. Lakeside’s proposal has the city keeping the proceeds from the sale of the recyclables. This is part of the reason why the city can offer the new curbside program to the residents for $1 increase.

Further down in the editorial it is stated that “Lakeside Disposal Service pays for every pound they deposit into the Grant County Landfill” and that by increasing the amount of material recycled “ … would lower the company’s overall cost in dumping garbage at the landfill.” Both statements are also incorrect. The city pays the disposal fee to Grant County, and always has, and thus will benefit from the reduced amount of trash going to the landfill. Again, part of the reason the city can offer such a reasonable price to the residents.

Lakeside Disposal & Recycling recycles nearly 2,000 tons of recyclables each year, mostly from commercial customers. It is estimated that with the implementation of the city’s curbside recycling program for residential customers, 150 tons per month (20 percent) of the residential waste stream will be recycled. Lakeside operates a buy-back center at 2000 W. Broadway Ave., and supports organizations like the Lions Club, Moses Lake Cancer Foundation and Doolittle Park. If that curbside recycling program is approved, Lakeside’s buy-back center will continue so that residents and charitable organizations can continue to sell their aluminum cans or drop off large quantities of cardboard.

Lakeside is excited for the opportunity to move forward with the City of Moses Lake on this important project. The city is pleased to begin offering this service and thankful that the Herald’s editorial board supports enhanced recycling opportunities in the city. If that board or anyone else has questions about the proposed recycling program, please contact us at your convenience.