Recently the local media reported on increases in recycling rates at the Orcas Island Transfer Station. We’ve received a lot of questions on this topic and wanted to clarify.

First, the recycling rate will change — but it will not affect many self-haulers.

Second, this rate change has nothing to do with The Exchange/Orcas Recycling Services taking over management of the Orcas transfer station.

The rate for recycling will change on Jan. 1 because San Juan County — which still operates the transfer station — had to re-negotiate an expiring contract with Waste Management, the company that currently takes our recyclables. Waste Management increased the rate significantly in the new contract.

Right now when you take your recycling to the transfer station you pay $5 — whether it’s one can or up to six cans. Starting in January you will pay $3 per can. If you generally bring two cans per trip, this will hardly affect you (you’ll be paying a total of $6 rather than $5).

The Exchange / Orcas Recycling Services is expected to take over management of the Orcas Island Transfer Station by the end of March 2013.

At that time we expect to lower rates for recycling and garbage. Recycling will cost $2 per can and garbage will be $7 per can (compared with $10 now). If you go over the scale you will pay $300 per ton compared to today’s rate of $373 per ton.

We also intend to reintroduce the option of source-separated recyclables at the site in 2014 — for which the drop-off fee would be FREE.

We can do these things because we are a non-profit, working with the community in mind and in collaboration with other local enterprises. We look forward to building a program for solid waste management here on Orcas that will provide a model for communities everywhere.

Thanks for your support!

The Exchange / Orcas Recycling Services