Bluffton recycling customers will soon experience an additional cost for recycling plus changes in local pickup.

Jesse Blackburn, village administrator, updated Bluffton council on Monday following a meeting with Republic Services, the village recycling provider. Republic's contract expires this fall.

Here’s a summary of Blackburn’s report to the council. Attachments at the bottom of this story provide additional details of the “China Sword” mentioned in his report.

Blackburn's report:
• The current model for the collection of recyclable materials is no longer viable, resulting from the "China Sword" – see attachment, negative return values of existing recyclable materials, contamination in the recycling stream

• Recycling programs must focus on sustainable materials management, not diverting material that may have no beneficial use.

• Immediate partnering is needed, along with a new business model.

Proposals from Republic:
1 - Rate increase is necessary - proposed new rates around $18 per month for trash and recycling services

2 - Change recycling stream to include following materials ONLY:
   • Paper and newsprint; cardboard; aluminum, steel and bimetal cans; glass bottles and jars; bottles and jugs (#1 and #2 plastics only). All materials to be empty, clean and dry.

3 - Change current collection schedule from recycling totes picked up every week to recycling totes picked up every other week.