Originally Posted by
Breakage
I would stay away from comingle unless you are just acting as a trucker and getting paid nicely by the client for a curbside subscription service. The money in mixed recycling is as bad as its ever been, maybe even worse than it was in 2008, though we could still export more of it, ten years ago. You will choke on the non-payable status of mixed recycling if you do or don't sort it so your best bet is to plan, specifically, to make all of your money on the pick-up. This may change if the mills really get cranking, again, but domestic response has not measured up to supply and the reaction is weak pricing for the foreseeable future. If you have your customer sort things for you, especially if they have sorted office paper and cardboard, you can hope to see some advantage on the commodity end but mixed paper grades, plastics, and metal cans have been performing poorly in many regions. The Midwest has some better opportunities for plastics than here in New England but it isn't a big enough difference that I think you really count on it, unless you know someone and have a contract in place.
Also, check with your local municipal ordinances and licensing. Neither you nor your prospect(s) might be in position to even consider the idea that you will collect their recycling. The city may maintain an exclusivity arrangement with its constituents, either through their own services or through a contracted partner like Republic or WM.
Thank you for for the advice. The exclusivity point is actually the one I am most afraid of because I think the city does have an arrangement like this, and I don't want to end up digging myself into a hole of fines. After thinking about it the last few days I do think I will even give them a quote. Honestly I think it could become a logistical nightmare and I can wait to do something like this until later in life, and I think it would be better to play it safe at the moment.
Bookmarks