The Early Days
LEFT: The rough and ready days when
garbage collectors lugged huge pack
barrels over their shoulders from yards
to their trucks parked at the end of
each street.
BELOW: Restored antique garbage
truck that followed the horse and
buggy days.
Photos: Courtesy of Recology
the rest by machines and by workers.”
Newer, more mechanized facilities are
beginning to use artificial intelligence-
driven technology to differentiate and
sort loads. “Primary sorts” separate glass,
metal, paper, plastic, and cardboard.
China has long been a major importer
of these recyclable materials via cargo
ship containers. However, in recent
years, China has reduced the acceptable
contamination rate to less than
one percent.
“It caused quite a stir in American
MRFs, which have since begun looking
at selling to alternative markets. But we
have to remind people that we need
recyclables to be clean, not contaminated
with food or other waste.”
He added that a container might cost
$500 to ship to China, but if rejected,
it will automatically be shipped back to
Oakland at a cost of $3,000-4,000 to the
originator.
Another Recology company, Gilroy-
based South Valley Organics, produces
compost and soil amendment blends
from organic materials received. Two
separate processes are used to compost
over 40,000 tons of food scraps and
yard trimmings gathered from South
Bay residents annually. Compost and
mulch products are available for sale
to commercial customers.
According to Alter, “We report our
numbers to the State of California. They
look a how much we reduce disposal.
The goal is to avoid producing waste in
the first place. In other words, reduce,
reuse, recycle.”
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Kudos to Recology
Couchee said of the parent company, “It’s expected that employees be
engaged with the communities they live and work in, and that’s what we
try to do here in South County.”
Recology South Valley
Large Business of the Year, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
Philanthropy Award, Morgan Hill Community Foundation
Gavilan College Spirit Award
Phil Couchee
Current Treasurer, Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce
Past Volunteer of the Year, Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce
Current board member, Gilroy Economic Development Corporation
Member, Gilroy Rotary Club
Julie Alter
Former board member, St. Joseph’s Family Center
Former board member, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
Good Egg Award, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
Recology South Valley Drivers
Customer Service Awards, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
Good Egg Award, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
APRIL/MAY 2018
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