In a recent government meeting, city officials addressed pressing challenges facing the sanitation department, particularly concerning recycling and yard debris management. The department currently serves over 3,700 customers but is struggling with the effectiveness of its recycling program, which has not delivered materials to a recycling facility in over two years due to contamination issues and a lack of buyers.

Officials highlighted that less than 10% of materials collected through national recycling programs are actually recycled. The city’s recycling program generates approximately $24,192 in revenue but incurs costs of around $150,000 annually, including $9,000 in tipping fees. As a result, officials proposed a significant shift: ending the recycling program and repurposing recycling bins for yard debris collection.

This change aims to streamline operations and enhance worker safety, as current yard debris collection methods expose employees to hazardous conditions. The proposed plan includes transitioning to fully automated yard debris collection using standard sanitation trucks, which would eliminate the need for manual labor in dangerous traffic conditions. Each household would receive a second can for yard debris, with costs expected to be offset by savings from the discontinued recycling program.

While acknowledging that this shift would limit residents to the capacity of the new cans, officials expressed hope that it would encourage more frequent use and reduce the volume of yard debris at any one time. The council is expected to vote on this proposal, with implementation planned for the start of the new fiscal year, allowing time for public education on the changes.