PUBLISHED 2/29/08 ---

Recycling what we can, rather that just thoughtlessly throwing away our waste, makes sense. “Waste not, want not.” Stewardship of our resources should be a top priority. As should our efforts to reduce trash dumped into county landfills.

Developing a refuse transfer station in metropolitan Bakersfield  should be a priority. It will allow trash to be separated for recycling. It will reduce the number of trips

pollution-spewing garbage trucks  make to the county’s Bena Sanitary Landfill, east of Bakersfield.

For these reasons, a proposal by a group of private refuse haulers to establish a centrally located garbage and recycling station in metro Bakersfield makes sense.
But Bakersfield and Kern County officials must proceed cautiously on the Metro Recycling Corp. proposal for a transfer station on Mount Vernon Avenue.

The proposed price tag for this facility is huge. Taxpayers and ratepayers — that includes property owners and renters — will be footing the bill. Technologies and mandates will change in future years. Bakersfield’s handling of waste must be able to change, as well.

Haulers estimate their project will cost $50 million in up-front expenses, $42 million a year in operating expenses, and an ever-escalating $2-per-household monthly rate hike. They also will seek a 25-year commitment. That’s a steep price and a daunting commitment for local government to embrace without considering other proposals.
The Bakersfield City Council and Kern County Board of Supervisors will consider the issues in the coming months.

Metro Recycling Corp. is proposing to pick recyclables out of the garbage stream, diverting about 30 percent of solid waste from the landfill, and saving thousands of truck-trips.

But since the city is already meeting state mandates for waste diversion, the push for a greater percentage of recycled trash, though desirable and admirable, is not urgent. And though metro Bakersfield would be wise to start studying new options immediately, there’s no need to pull the trigger on the first offer that comes along — especially one with such a hefty price tag.

Bakersfield Public Works Director Raul Rojas correctly points out that if the city builds a facility now and new diversion mandates are issued in 10 years, the recycling station would have 10-year-old technology.

Government officials owe it to taxpayers to shop for the best deal.