Due to the labor dispute between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA), refuse collection and recycling companies in California have been forced to stockpile and in some cases warehouse, bales of recyclable material. 鈥淭he continued slowdown is having serious implications on our industry鈥檚 ability to fulfill contractual obligations designed to achieve maximum recycling and waste diversion goals鈥� declared CRRC President Sil Garaventa Jr. 鈥淭here now exists a real danger that these recyclable materials could be landfilled because of the degradation of the recycled material, undermining the very goal of our recycling management operations and California鈥檚 environmental goals鈥� added Garaventa.
The California Refuse Recycling Council (CRRC) is the major trade association comprised of solid waste collection and recycling firms throughout California. CRRC membership is at the forefront of cutting-edge resource management and environmental protection, while providing essential services to guard the health and safety of California and providing essential services to every community in California.
In a recent survey of CRRC members of how the port slowdown has affected recycling operations and programs, the following data was confirmed:
- Commodity rates have dropped over 40% over the past 60 days, causing a loss of revenue that supports recycling programs.
- The majority of municipal agreements do not allow for reimbursement of lost revenue, threatening the livelihood of thousands of employees and their families in the communities they serve.
- Recycling programs are being disrupted daily and stockpiled material redirected to landfill due to the degradation of the material and lack of storage space.
- Some facilities report a more than 500% increase in the number of recyclable bales currently stockpiled. Over 30% of facilities indicate they will be forced to turn away material in the next 30-60 days due to a lack of storage space or markets.
- As successful recycling programs are discontinued, the industry鈥檚 ability to process and sell commodities is disrupted, making it very difficult to regain lost ground toward municipality鈥檚 efforts of achieving California鈥檚 75% recycling and waste diversion goals.
- Months of backlogged material, and prolonged wait times at west coast ports have already caused significant damage to businesses, markets and programs.
Garaventa stated 鈥渆ven if the slowdown is resolved today, it will take months to reverse the impacts to our recycling programs across the state鈥�. Every day that passes without resolution of this slowdown has devastating impacts on our communities, the environment, and our economic vitality.
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