BISMARCK, ND — Residents of Bismarck may soon face a slight increase in recycling fees. The Bismarck City Commission is set to meet tonight to discuss a proposed fee hike of 36 cents for curbside recycling services. The proposed increase comes as part of a contractual agreement with Waste Management, which handles recycling services across the city.

Under the terms of the agreement, Waste Management is allowed to request a fee adjustment in 2025 to offset rising operational costs. The proposed fee increase is expected to help cover these added expenses, ensuring the continued delivery of recycling services to Bismarck residents.

While the fee increase is still subject to approval by the city commission, officials are encouraging residents to take steps to help keep costs down. Steve Salwei, the City of Bismarck’s service operations director, emphasized the importance of proper recycling practices. “Whenever a load is contaminated with non-recyclable items, it requires additional sorting, which incurs extra costs,” said Salwei. “By recycling only the items that are supposed to be recycled, residents can help keep the process running smoothly and prevent unnecessary cost increases.”

The city commission’s decision on the proposed fee increase is expected to be made during tonight’s meeting. If approved, the new fee will be implemented in the near future, though exact details on the timeline remain unclear.