The City of Pensacola has partnered with West Florida Recycling, a locally-based processor of recyclable materials, to better process and market materials collected through the City's curbside recycling program. The move will enhance the City’s curbside recycling program by providing a new revenue stream and expanding the list of materials accepted in curbside recycling containers, according to a presentation to be made at tonight's City Council meeting.

Previously, the City delivered recyclable materials to the Escambia County Landfill, where items collected at the curbside were baled and sold as mixed materials. The City will now deliver recyclable materials to West Florida Recycling’s facility, where it will be sorted into individual commodities and then sold into the global market.

The City will receive a 32% revenue share on materials sold. The City’s share for the month of July totaled $14,213, and the partnership could generate up to $1.2 million in new revenue for the City over the next seven years, should prices for recyclable materials remain at current levels.

“Partnering with West Florida Recycling is good for our city, for our residents, the environment, and our bottom line,” said Mayor Ashton Hayward. “Not only is this a smart business decision, it will position Pensacola as one of the most forward thinking municipalities in the region.”

“Part of my platform is to find new revenue streams for the City so we can continue growing and providing top-notch services without increasing the tax burden on our citizens and businesses,” Hayward continued. “Whether it’s leasing space at City facilities, providing natural gas for local vehicle fleets, or selling our ‘trash for cash,’ we are looking for every possible way to generate revenue for our City without raising taxes,” Hayward said.

The partnership will also allow the City to accept additional materials in curbside recycling containers. These materials include:

• Dry pet food bags
• Plastic cups, plates, utensils
• Plastic produce clamshells
• Aluminum foil and foil pie tins
• Metal pots and pans
• Pizza Boxes
• Bubble wrap

West Florida Recycling’s 25,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility, located at 8038 North Palafox Street, processes between 286,000 and 440,000 pounds of recyclable material per day.

Sanitation Services and Fleet Management - Recycling Report to City Council - 9.22.11 (PDF)