Company owner Dale Gubbels has said the market for recyclables collapsed in recent months with China’s decision to stop buying as much American waste.

He told the council that demand for many recyclables was still low and that he hoped to move some cardboard off his property before the first snow flies.

Firstar also let city officials see its financials to show them the importance of updating the contract to avoid the company’s exit.

Two of the council’s supporters of recycling, council President Chris Jerram and council member Pete Festersen, ended up on opposite sides.

Jerram, who voted against the change, said he didn’t want to risk setting a precedent that companies could renegotiate city contracts outside of the bidding process.

Festersen said making sure Omaha maintained a viable recycling program was worth making the change and paying more.

The city says the additional money will come from funds set aside for the transition to a new garbage contract. Public Works said it was doing that work itself.

As part of the agreement, the city will put out a request for bids as early as this week for the next contract to handle the city’s recycling.