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Westland has stopped recycling as costs rise due to lower global demand.
In a letter alerting residents of the change, the city says costs at the facility processing its recyclables rose from $18 per ton to a $80 per ton at the start of the year. As a result, the city has been hauling all recyclables to the landfill since last week, where processing costs $28 per ton.
WDIV first reported the story, citing lower demand from places like China. The report said the additional cost of cleaning and sorting recyclables also plays a role.
The lack of recycling may be temporary, the letter from Mayor Bill Wild says:
Many communities in the area, including Westland, have been notified of this increase to the cost of recycling. Due to the sudden and substantial increase in the cost and budget constraints, the city must look for alternative, more cost–effective, places to take the recycled materials. During this transition period the city will unfortunately, need to take the recycling to the landfill. This transition started on February 20, 2019. The cost of the landfill is substantially less at $28 per ton. We believe this will be a temporary solution so we are asking residents not to change the way they recycled. We ask that you continue to use the blue bin for recycled materials
For the past 10 years, the city of Westland has prided itself on an outstanding recycling program. During that time the city has recycled almost 50,000 tons (100,000,000 pounds) of material.
It's unclear whether other communities have been affected by rising costs.
