The City Council has passed an ordinance to introduce a tiered recycling tax deduction for solid waste businesses, effective January 1 next year. The policy aims to encourage these businesses to increase their recycling efforts in support of the city's Climate Action Plan. The tax is expected to generate about $975,000 annually, contributing approximately $1,950,000 to the General Fund for the 2025-2026 biennium, according to the City of Tacoma release.
The initiative, led by Deputy Mayor John Hines, involves engagement with industry leaders through roundtable discussions. These discussions led to the creation of a new recycling certification program, designed to reward increased recycling and address the issue of dishonest recycling haulers. Hines saidin the same release, "Further supporting recycling in our city is vital for protecting our environment and meeting the goals of our Climate Action Plan."
The tax revenue is expected to support essential city services, including police, fire, street repair, and libraries, benefiting residents and the community as a whole.
Deputy Mayor Hines noted that the successful roundtables led to the creation of a new recycling certification program, which includes a tiered tax deduction system through the Special Permits process.
