An increase in cardboard and other forms of packaging in San Francisco are now responsible for a possible 14 percent hike in the city’s garbage rates, the SFGate reports.
The proposal made by the recycling plant, Recology, has already gained approval from Public Works. According to the report, residents of San Francisco have until Tuesday to appeal the increase.
A city that embodies environmental ideals is facing what a Recology spokesperson calls the “Amazon effect.”
“People here work long hours, so instead of cooking, they’re ordering online meal kits,” said Recology spokesman Robert Reed in an interview with the SF Chronicle.
As a result from too many San Francisco residents making online purchases, Recology has been forced to reconfigure its fleet, which according to the SF Chronicle, currently utilizes split-chamber trucks for recycling and trash and single-chamber trucks for compost.
Under the proposal, Recology would use single-chambers for recycling and the split-chambers for compost and trash.
“Recology actually had to flip the system on its head, because having half a truck to carry recyclables wasn’t good enough anymore,” said Heidi Sanborn, executive director of the California Product Stewardship Council in an interview with the SF Chronicle.
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These major changes are coming at a cost to the recycling company and unless San Francisco residents reduce the amount of online shopping, the 14 percent hike would become a solution to a community focused on convenience.
