By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The City of Raton’s recycle center continues to take recyclables as the bales of paper and cardboard pile up, but why are they piling up and not being transported out?
Like many communities throughout the nation Raton has seen a big drop in demand for recyclable materials. According to Jason Phillips the Public Works Director a bale of cardboard has six bale ties at a cost of $3.12 per bale. The most recent cardboard shipment netted $2.45 per bale. In December of 2017 that same bale fetched $42.02. Phillips noted that the buyer paid shipping to their facility for these shipments.
Phillips noted that mixed paper in September of 2108 was valued at $30 per ton and included free shipping to Gallup. The same paper broker is now offering $0 per bale and the city would be responsible for shipping which would then cost the city about $47 per ton. Based on a 22-ton load that would cost the city $1034.
Raton however is not alone, even in the mandatory recycle environment of California recycling centers are closing. For example, in Santa Monica the city earned $300,000 from the sale of paper, plastic, glass and other materials. Had the city not closed its center it would be costing them $1 million a year.
With more and more consumers shopping online and having those purchased shipped in what happened to the demand for boxes. One consumer of the recyclables was China and according to a story in the Los Angeles Times that market has declined drastically which affected California since much of its paper and plastic went overseas. Phillips noted that the market for metals such as aluminum is still strong and the city can make money there. He said the city is still looking hoping to find a buyer for the materials.
