Mountain View’s Recycling Dilemma: A clash Between Zero Waste Goals and Exclusive Contracts
When Karen Noryko moved too Mountain View, she quickly realized that many items she wanted to recycle weren’t eligible for curbside pickup. Steadfast to find a solution, she discovered Ridwell,a company specializing in collecting and recycling materials that local municipalities don’t accept. At the time, Ridwell didn’t operate in California, but Noryko’s inquiries led to an unexpected opportunity: she was hired to launch the service locally.
Three years later, Ridwell now serves dozens of Bay Area cities, but Mountain View remains excluded. “literally, the very first employee in California, in Mountain View, and we still don’t have it,” Noryko said. Despite no longer working for Ridwell, she continues to advocate for its introduction in her city.
The obstacle lies in Mountain View’s exclusive 10-year contract with Recology, a waste collection service that has handled the city’s garbage for decades.“Allowing another hauler would constitute the city being in breach of this exclusive agreement, or breach of contract, wich subjects the city to liability,” explained Assistant Public Works Director Ed Arango.
While exceptions to the agreement are sometimes made, Recology didn’t deem Ridwell’s case applicable. “It’s this exclusive agreement with Recology that really is driving the conflict,” Arango added. Reopening the contract or altering services would require negotiations and potentially higher costs for residents.
Noryko argues that Ridwell’s services could align with Mountain View’s zero waste goals, which aim to divert 90% of the city’s trash from landfills by 2030.Ridwell presented these possibilities to the city over a year ago but made no progress. Noryko also pointed out that other jurisdictions with Recology contracts still allow Ridwell to operate.
Arango noted that the specific language of hauling agreements varies by jurisdiction. In some cases, waste haulers issued letters to Ridwell indicating conflicts before it began services.
Mountain View’s Progress Toward Zero Waste
Mountain View is making strides toward its zero waste goals, currently achieving an 84% diversion rate, according to Jennifer Cutter, the city’s solid waste program manager. This success is largely due to robust dual-stream recycling and composting programs. the city also accepts a wide range of household items for curbside pickup, including clothing, textiles, batteries, and appliances.A meaningful portion of waste diversion occurs after Recology collects garbage bins. About 37% of recyclables and organic material is extracted at a processing station in Sunnyvale, Cutter explained.
However, the city still has work to do to reach its 2030 target. “Those are the best ways to get to zero waste. Because recycling and composting is good, but that’s still generating waste. We want to try to prevent waste,” Cutter said.
The door isn’t entirely closed for Ridwell. “Once Ridwell and Recology work towards a mutual agreement on how Ridwell’s proposed services can operate in Mountain View without conflicting with the explicit agreement, the city would be receptive to furthering this conversation,” Arango said.
| Key Points | Details |
|—————-|————-|
| Current Diversion Rate | 84% |
| Zero Waste Goal | 90% by 2030 |
| primary Waste Hauler | Recology |
| Third-Party Service | Ridwell (not currently allowed) |
| Major Obstacle | Exclusive 10-year contract with Recology |
Mountain View’s recycling journey highlights the tension between ambitious environmental goals and existing contractual agreements. As the city continues to push toward zero waste, the question remains: can it find a way to integrate innovative services like Ridwell without breaking the rules?
This story originally appeared in the Mountain View Voice. Emily Margaretten joined the Mountain View Voice in 2023 as a reporter covering City Hall.
Balancing Zero Waste Goals and Exclusive Contracts: A Deep Dive into Mountain View’s recycling Challenge
Table of Contents
Mountain View, California, is a city with ambitious environmental goals, aiming to divert 90% of its waste from landfills by 2030. Though, achieving this target has been complex by an exclusive 10-year contract with Recology, the city’s primary waste hauler. This agreement has left innovative recycling services like Ridwell excluded from operating in the city. In this interview, we speak with Dr. Emily Carson, a waste management expert, to unpack the complexities of Mountain View’s recycling dilemma and explore potential pathways forward.
The Rise of Ridwell and Mountain View’s Exclusion
Senior Editor: Dr. carson, Ridwell has gained traction in dozens of Bay Area cities, yet Mountain View remains excluded. Can you explain the significance of this exclusion?
Dr. Emily Carson: Absolutely. Ridwell fills a crucial gap in the recycling ecosystem by collecting materials that traditional curbside programs don’t accept—things like plastic film, light bulbs, and electronics. Karen Noryko, a Mountain View resident, even helped launch Ridwell in California. It’s ironic that the city where she lives can’t access the service. This exclusion highlights a broader tension between innovation and existing infrastructure.
The Role of Recology’s Exclusive Contract
Senior Editor: What’s standing in the way of Ridwell operating in Mountain View?
Dr. Emily Carson: The primary obstacle is Mountain View’s exclusive contract with Recology, which has been the city’s waste hauler for decades. this agreement prevents other haulers from operating in the city unless Recology approves. Assistant Public Works Director Ed Arango has explained that allowing Ridwell would breach this contract, perhaps exposing the city to legal liability. While exceptions can be made, Recology hasn’t deemed Ridwell’s case applicable.
Aligning Ridwell with Zero Waste Goals
Senior Editor: Mountain View has set a goal of 90% waste diversion by 2030. Coudl Ridwell help the city achieve this?
Dr.Emily Carson: Definitely. Ridwell’s services align directly with zero waste goals by diverting materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. mountain View’s current diversion rate is 84%, thanks to strong recycling and composting programs, but there’s still room for advancement. Ridwell’s model complements existing efforts by addressing hard-to-recycle items, which is critical for reaching that 90% target.
Progress and Challenges in Zero waste Efforts
Senior Editor: What’s your take on Mountain View’s progress toward zero waste?
Dr. Emily Carson: The city has made extraordinary strides, especially with its dual-stream recycling and composting programs. Jennifer Cutter, the city’s solid waste program manager, noted that 37% of recyclables and organic material is recovered at a processing station in Sunnyvale.though, the focus needs to shift from just recycling and composting to waste prevention. That’s where services like Ridwell can play a transformative role.
Potential Pathways Forward
Senior Editor: Is there a way for Mountain View to integrate Ridwell without breaching its contract with Recology?
Dr. Emily Carson: yes,but it will require collaboration. Ed Arango mentioned that if Ridwell and Recology can agree on how the service can operate without conflicting with the contract, the city would be open to further discussions. Other jurisdictions with Recology contracts have allowed Ridwell to operate, so there’s precedent. it’s really about finding a mutually beneficial solution that serves both the city’s zero waste goals and Recology’s contractual interests.
Final Thoughts on the Recycling Dilemma
Senior Editor: Any parting thoughts on this issue?
Dr.Emily Carson: Mountain View’s challenge is emblematic of a larger issue many cities face: balancing innovation with existing contractual frameworks. While the path forward isn’t straightforward,the city’s commitment to zero waste is commendable.With collaboration and creativity, I’m optimistic that solutions like Ridwell can be integrated to help Mountain View—and other cities—achieve their environmental goals.
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