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Single-stream recycling will soon be tested in Bellingham.

But not everyone is on board. One of those people is Mark Peyron, an associate professor of chemical engineering at Western Washington University. “It certainly will result in more contaminated waste,” said Peyron, who specializes in biodegradable plastics. “Without question.”

Recycling and garbage hauler Sanitary Service Company is launching a single-stream pilot program for 700 customers in south Bellingham, in an effort to control costs and keep rates down, SSC General Manager Ted Carlson told Bellingham City Council’s Public Works and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 10. The company is considering the switch as it plans to buy new equipment. Whatcom is one of the few areas in the state where residents are still expected to sort their recycling before putting it on the curb.

�������� engineering professors John Misasi and Nicole Hoekstra were also wary of bringing single-stream recycling to Whatcom, citing the same contamination concerns as Peyron.

“Any level of contamination reduces the performance of that next product,” Hoekstra said.

The environmental impacts of the potential switch to single-stream recycling aren’t cut-and-dry. While it may increase the amount of garbage in the world’s landfills, it could also reduce the planet-warming emissions from SSC’s trucks.