Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the purchase of a recycling baler for the Killeen Recycling Center in an amount not to exceed $323,275.
Summary
DATE: January 17, 2023
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Jeffery Reynolds, Executive Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Solid Waste Recycling Baler Purchase
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Killeen Recycling Center (KRC) was established in 1996 with grant funds received from the State of Texas. The KRC is a public recycling center that accepts more types of material than any other site within a 60-mile radius. The KRC collects and processes a variety of materials such as paper, metals, glass, and plastic products, as well as some automotive and electronic materials. The goal of the KRC is to recycle as much material as possible to keep it out of the waste stream and grow recycling efforts throughout the city.
The KRC expanded the recycling program throughout the city by means of recycling trailers in July of 2019. Since that time, the KRC has seen an approximate 33% increase of recyclable materials annually. In addition to the recycling trailers, the KRC has built a pilot program of 58 commercial cardboard customers that are serviced weekly.
Currently, the KRC utilizes an antiquated vertical baler that is only able to bale cardboard and takes up to 90 minutes for one bale, making it impossible to bale all cardboard collected. Due to the inabilities of the current baler, the KRC receives reduced rates for the sale of these materials and in some cases, pays to dispose of materials. The preferred method of many material buyers is to receive baled materials as it allows for more material to be transported per load and easier handling. At the increased number of recyclable materials collected, it has become imperative to procure a multi-material baling system at the recycling facility. The ability to bale all recyclable materials will increase material processing times, eliminate the need to pay f...
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