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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... JACKSON COUNTY Rogue Disposal considers rate increase Recycling effort successful, but growing more costly Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 14, 2015 at 5:15 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 14, 2015 at 5:15 PM » Social News Increasingly fussy requirements for recycled trash are putting the pressure on Rogue Disposal and Recycling to push up rates for its customers. So-called “contaminated” recycled products, which include containers with food inside, can be rejected by processing centers, many of which are located in China. “Recycling markets are putting pressure on our revenue stream,” said Garry Penning, Rogue Disposal’s director of governmental affairs and marketing. Rogue Disposal representatives say the list of recyclable materials can be confusing to customers, and even at times for those who work at Rogue Disposal. For instance, shredded paper that comes out in long strips is fine, but paper that is shredded like confetti should be put in the regular trash. To clean up the recycling stream, a better effort on the part of Rogue Disposal will be made to educate the public and to find other cost-cutting efforts. “We want to avoid huge rate increases,” Penning said. Penning and other Rogue Disposal representatives made a presentation to the Medford City Council Thursday. Rogue Disposal has a franchise agreement with Medford for trash pickup. Customers currently pay $17.03 per month for a 35-gallon container. Rogue Disposal will be looking at its rate structure as part of an upcoming five-year review. Rogue Disposal also faces possible regulatory pressures that could increase expenses. The Department of Environmental Quality is considering requiring recycling of old carpets, but the only processing plant is located in Georgia. State regulators are even discussing the possibility of having a separate container to recycle leftover food waste. “The state is not helping us in trying to maintain rates,” said Eric Swanson, Medford city manager. In addition, the cost to transport recycled materials from Medford has increased because they are not shipped out of Portland or Oakland, Calif., but have to go to ports in Los Angeles or Seattle. Processing plants in Oregon have shut down, including one in Albany that handled metal. Also, there are fewer mills that can take recycled pulp from paper products in the state. China, which used to accept just about any pile of recycled materials, also has gone more "green" over the past couple of years and accepts only uncontaminated materials. Recycling has been a success in Jackson County. For Medford alone, the participation rate for the recycling program is 95 percent of customers. But even some councilors are stumped about the recycling requirements. “I don’t know what belongs in the red can,” Councilor Chris Corcoran said. Laura Leebrick, community and governmental affairs manager with Rogue Disposal, said her company needs to do a better job getting the word out about what can be recycled and what can’t be recycled. Even though a recycle stamp is located on a piece of plastic, it doesn’t mean it can be recycled locally. “I’m guilty of being a wishful recycler,” Leebrick said. “I peel the cheese off pizza boxes and put them (the boxes) in the recycling bin.” She formerly worked for another disposal company that allowed milk or soup cartons to be put in the recycling bin, but she found those aren’t allowed locally. When recycling first started, disposal companies made every effort to accommodate its customers. As a result, most disposal companies don’t indicate how much of the bill goes toward recycling and how much goes for trash. “We have done ourselves and the public no favors,” she said. “Now is the time to rethink the message.” Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm . By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted May. 14, 2015 at 5:15 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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