Raleigh Begins Single-Stream Recycling

The city of Raleigh, N.C., has announced that it will transition to single-stream recycling beginning Jan. 1.

The change has come because of updates and improvements made by the city’s recycling contractor, Sonoco Recycling Inc. The company has invested more than $3.5 million and expanded its facility by more than 22,000 square feet, according to a press release issued by the city’s Public Affairs Department. The change from a manual system to a fully automated facility will allow the company to process twice as much material.

The transition will also reduce the fixed price the city receives from $26 per ton to $16 per ton. While the city will receive less revenue, the change should save the city money in both time and equipment. The split-body trucks used for dual-stream recycling cost $60,000 more than traditional rear-loading trucks. In fiscal year 2008-09 the new system will save $180,000 as three new trucks were previously scheduled for purchase. 

Every recycling truck will be replaced with a rear loading truck as its life cycle expires. In a few years, the City will be able to switch over to carts for recycling collection instead of small recycling bins.

More information is available online at www.raleigh-nc.org.