Science for Everyone: Municipal Recycling: Improving Recycling Rates and Reducing Collection Costs

Since 1991, Waukesha County owned a Material Recovery Facility (MFR), where recyclables were processed from 25 participating municipalities.  As the MRF processing equipment was reaching the end of its expected life in the late 2000’s, the County began researching and planning for the future. To improve recycling rates and reduce collection costs, consultants strongly recommended switching to a “single stream” recycling system (paper and containers are mixed together).  However, the highly automated single stream MRF equipment was quite expensive, and switching to a single stream system would require all 25 municipalities to change their collection contracts.  Waukesha County Land Resources Manager, Perry Lindquist, will explain how a partnership with the City of Milwaukee on a new MRF, and a County-coordinated collection contract RFP process, recently helped accomplish program objectives and move Waukesha County recycling into a new era.

Fee: Free ($5 donation suggested). No registration required.