Leavenworth weighs future of recycling center

LEAVENWORTH — The City of Leavenworth is exploring options for its recycling center on 14th Street as it nears the end of its contract with Waste Loop this September.

Over the years, Waste Loop has managed the center’s operations and its glass recycling. However, as the nonprofit undergoes organizational changes, it is stepping away from the recycling center.

Waste Loop recently merged its waste reduction education programs into Sustainable NCW and is transitioning into Eastside Rebuild, which continues as a separate nonprofit offering building materials, a tool library, and repair cafes.

“This is a good time to reevaluate what services we can offer here and how it's paid for,” said City Administrator Matthew Selby during a July 28 study session.

According to Selby, operating the recycling center costs about $50,000 a year. This doesn’t include glass, which is supported by donations and grants through the help of Waste Loop. The city recoups $5,000 a year by selling cardboard. The other $45,000 is paid for by the Garbage Enterprise Fund, which is funded by garbage service fees from multifamily and commercial accounts.

Because the recycling center serves residents throughout city limits and beyond, Selby advised the council that it needed to have another source of funding.

Selby presented five potential options for the council to consider. Option A: Close the recycling center at the end of September. Option B: Keep the recycling center open with another source of funding. Option C: Keep the center open for glass and cardboard only. Option D: Offer commercial businesses and residents curbside glass recycling in partnership with Sustainable NCW. Option E: Pilot a fee-based yard waste program.

In community surveys, residents expressed support for the continuing the  recycling center, particularly with glass and yard waste; glass recycling is not available elsewhere and yard waste disposal is constricted by the apple maggot quarantine. There was also large support for cardboard. Survey takers also desired options for residents in the Urban Growth Area (UGA) and in other parts of the area, such as East Leavenworth Road and Chumstick Highway. Support for longer operating hours, especially for commercial respondents was also a key finding.

“I think people do want it, and so I don't think that Option A is really on the table as far as the community is concerned,” said council member Travis McMaster.

Council members explored the idea of fee-based yard waste, debating fee amounts and oversight. They proposed reaching out to the county about reopening the East Leavenworth site for capacity. They also expressed interest in curbside glass recycling for residents and commercial businesses.

Throughout the discussion, council members recognized that it would require a muli-prongued approach to address the various recycling streams and community needs. They collectively agreed on finding other funding sources, considering fee-based yard waste and exploring additional options. Selby said he would explore feasible pathways.

“Being a leader in our whole area here to provide options for people is what I think we could do,” said council member Mike Bedard.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media