Key West recycling numbers dropped in February

 

BY PRU SOWERS

KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER

 

A surprising drop in recycling in February has put Key West sustainability officials on alert.

 

Will Thompson, the city’s solid waste coordinator, reported a significant drop in the number of tons of recycled waste in February, as compared to January this year. January’s recycled waste was 524.6 tons. In February, that number dropped to approximately 454 tons, a loss of about 70 tons of recyclables.

 

“You can’t really call it a pattern yet because it was just one month. If it continues into another month, then we’ve got an issue,” Thompson said.

 

March’s recycling tonnage was roughly the same as February’s and both months were similar to the same time period the year before. But, as Thompson said, the 70-ton drop was “a big chunk.”

 

“Recycling goes up and down based on the season and occupancy rates. I’d hate to say ‘drop.’ Another way to look at it is January had a spike [in recycling tonnage],” he said.

 

Key West jump-started its recycling efforts in 2013, when the city reduced its trash collection schedule from twice a week to once. The move caused trash bins to fill more quickly, encouraging residents to sort out the recyclable material and put it in a separate container. At the same time, the city replaced the 18-gallon blue recycle bins with a 65-gallon model. Those two actions resulted in a jump in residential recycling rates from seven percent to approximately 22 percent in the following three weeks.

 

That rate increased to 26 percent in 2014, which translates to over 5,700 tons of materials being recycled instead of thrown into the trash last year.

 

And in a related note, Key West is in the process of naming a new solid waste coordinator. Thompson is leaving to take over the same role for Monroe County, where he will have a bigger solid waste platform to manage. He said he is leaving Key West in good shape, waste-wise.

 

“The one day [a week trash] collection is working like clockwork,” he said. “The Key West citizens have accomplished great things.

 

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