City of Odessa, TX Terminates Recycling Services

Odessa, Texas will no longer be providing recycling services to residents of the city. City Council unanimously rejected two contracts Tuesday night, one contract for hauling services and the other for recycling services with Butts Recycling Inc. (BRI).

Residents of Odessa can still recycle, of course, however, they now must do so on their own which could involve driving to the BRI facility in Midland, which is just over 20 miles away.

Javier Joven, Mayor of Odessa, says he would like to see the city provide recycling services, but it’s not economically viable as budget cuts are needed.

“The city services, the city staff, the city resources and the payroll and everything that it takes," said Joven. "It was a cost, it was insurmountable, and over the years millions of dollars had gone into this.” 

Money for the recycling services will be diverted to other avenues deemed more necessary.

“Responsibly, as Mayor, I'd say, basically, we’re going to get back to the basics, where we’re going to concentrate and invest in those areas of roads, infrastructure, water pipes, water and sewer, and police and fire, and our staff -- and that’s another step closer of us going out there and finding that money so we can reinvest into those situations where the basic services and basic city function continues and operates at a better level than it has been for decades," said Joven. 

According to Joven, the BRI contract with Odessa would have been reliant on taxpayers.

“BRI is wanting a footprint in Odessa, Texas, they just want the taxpayer to be able to foot the bill for them, and then…pay them on a monthly basis to be able to do this, and so this [is] just not economically viable," said Joven. "If it were, then the business model of BRI is they would be investing in the facilities, the infrastructure, and the land and the pickup.” 

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