Audit Finds San Jose Recycling Bins Contain Up To 40 Percent Household Garbage
SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) – The whole idea behind recycling is that clean paper, plastics and metals are collected and shipped off to be reused. But at San Jose's sorting station the reality is a lot messier than that.
California Waste Solutions operates the city's recycling program. COO Joel Corona told KPIX 5 so much disgusting garbage is being mixed in the recycling bins it's harming their efforts to keep clean material out of the landfill.
Rotting food, motor oil, even dirty diapers are contaminating the recyclables, making them unfit for reuse. A recent audit shows up to 40 percent of material in the recycling bins is actually common household garbage.
"And that's a level of contamination that is not sustainable," Corona told KPIX 5.
For years, the city has blamed Waste Solutions for not diverting enough material, fining the company about $1 million. But Corona says the city is causing the problem by charging homeowners an exorbitant amount to have larger size garbage containers.
"There's a tremendous incentive to use the smallest garbage container and then put all the other material that don't fit into that garbage container, into the recycling container," Corona said.
The company is sending out "eco-teams" to examine what people are putting in their bins and even refusing to collect material that is badly contaminated. But they say only the city has the power to fine violators and so far they haven't done that.
So far, the city has stopped diversion fines and are looking into potential rate increases and penalties for repeat offenders.
