The Palm Springs City Council will consider a new ordinance that would require 75-percent of waste from construction and demolition projects to be recycled. Some say the effort to go green would cost too much green.
The ordinance would apply to any person or company applying for a building permit. This would include construction companies and homeowners.
George Marantz, owner of G&M Construction in Palm Springs, thinks the idea is "impossible to adhere to."
Marantz said recycling waste on major projects would require costly sorting by construction workers.
"At $55 dollars an hour (per employee), how do you do that?" he asked.
Gary Calhoun, Recycling Coordinator for Palm Springs, said it can be done. He said most valley cities already have similar ordinances in place.
"It's like many things, it's relatively new to some people," Calhoun said, attributing the opposition to unfamiliarity. "We've been extremely successful in other cities throughout the valley."
A recycling ordinance would benefit the environment by reducing waste sent to landfills. Calhoun said it would also benefit construction companies. Recycling facilities charge about eight dollars less per ton than local landfills, he said.
Construction companies, which talked to KPSP Local 2, said the costs to sort and haul waste may be of greater concern.
There are several recycling facilities in the valley but each one accepts only certain materials. For example, Southern California Recycling in Thousand Palms takes in appliances, green/wood waste, and paving materials. Any other materials would have to be taken someplace else. There is not a central sorting facility in the valley.
Marantz said until there is one, a construction recycling ordinance may cost too much.
"It will not cost construction businesses any more money because they'll pass the cost onto the clients," he said.
Those who support sustainability say there's a greater cost to the planet without an ordinance.
"It's (an) important step for the environment," Calhoun said.
The ordinance was introduced to the council Wednesday. It must be read at least two more times before it can be passed.
