How is the Recycle It! program changing?
Changes to the Recycle It! program include:
- Outsourcing recycling collection to the private sector
- Converting the current recycling bin to a 96-gallon rollout cart
- Providing bi-weekly recycling service to residents, a switch from the current weekly collection
How will the new and improved Recycle It! program benefit me as a resident?
Single-stream recycling has several benefits including:
- More storage capacity – Customers will receive a 96-gallon wheeled recycling container which will provide more space to store additional recyclables and the ability to wheel the cart to the curb.
- Ability to recycle materials not currently accepted – The following materials are currently accepted in the Recycle It! program:
- Plastics 1 & 2
- Aluminum
- Glass
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Steel cans
- Spiral paper cans
In addition to the current items accepted for recycling, the transition to single-stream may provide the capacity to accept additional materials. An annoucement regarding this will be made in January 2010.
- Reduces litter – The new carts will have lids to prevent recyclables from littering streets which improves neighborhood aesthetics.
- Decreased emissions – Switching to a semi-automated process increases the speed of collection and decreases idle times, which decrease the emissions released into the environment.
The current Recycle It! programs provides weekly recycling collection, isn't a move to biweekly collection a service reduction?
No, it is a service improvement. Through single-stream recycling residents will have an opportunity to recycle using a larger, wheeled cart, which provides convenience and the capacity to collect more recyclables. The new recycling bin will be 96-gallons, six times larger than the current bin, reducing the need to collect each week.
Why could the residents not be provided with additional existing bins and then move the pick-ups to every other week? Is that not just as effective, and a better cost measure, short and long term?
Studies have shown that the most effective way to increase recycling is to increase container capacity. The City will be providing containers with 96 gallon capacity. Our current red bins are 16 gallon capacity. It would take 6 red bins to equal the capacity of one 96 gallon container. Additionally, much of the savings associated with our bi-weekly program results from the efficiencies resulting from quick automated collection. It is very laborious and time consuming for an employee to manually service each household. The bi-weekly process means that considerably higher volumes of recycled materials will be at the curb at each household on collection day, making the manual loading process even more laborious and time consuming. Other factors include: worker injury rates are higher with manual collection, scattering of litter is higher with open top bins, citizen convenience is improved with rollout containers.
What will be the dimensions of the new recycling cart in comparison to the current bin?
The new recycling cart will be between these dimensions: 42" x 24" x 32" and 48" x 32" x 35". The current recycling bin is 19" x 16" x 15 ½".
I live in an apartment style (multi-family) complex, will the new Recycle It! program impact me?
Yes, if your complex currently participates in the City's multi-family recycling collection service, sorting and placing paper and all other items in different containers will no longer be necessary. You can simply place all your recyclables into the recycling container that's provided at the recycling station.
If you live in a multi-family complex that receives individual curbside collection, you will receive a 96-gallon recycling cart to store and wheel your recyclables to the curb for collection.
