SEBASTIAN – With increased pressure from Sebastian residents and city council members, Waste Management is working on a way to make commercial recycling more palatable to area businesses.
George Geletkco, government affairs director for Waste Management, told Sebastian’s Natural Resources Board Tuesday evening that the company is working with the city and Indian River County to modify its contract. That modification could result in offering commercial recycling for the city’s businesses that wish to participate.
Geletkco told the board members that, in his opinion, offering “single-stream” recycling for businesses would be the most cost effective way to go. He explained that businesses wouldn’t have to sort their recyclables, which means they could get by with one container at a cost savings.
Residential waste accounts for 20 percent of the overall waste stream, Geletkco said, as does construction and demolition.
Commercial, however, accounts for 60 percent, and is a stream officials want to diminish by offering recycling.
“We need to focus on that in Sebastian,” he said.
Typically, retail businesses generate mostly cardboard waste, while professional offices generate paper. Restaurants accumulate a mix of cardboard, cans and plastics and would most benefit from a “single-stream” recycling service, according to Geletkco.
He told the board that it could take between 12 and 15 months before a separate contract could be negotiated between Waste Management and the city to offer more cost effective business recycling.
