City to buy 560 additional 95‑gallon recycling carts as participation climbs

Council approved purchase of 560 additional 95‑gallon recycling carts for $28,190.40 to expand the opt‑in municipal recycling program. Service Director Pennington said the city has distributed roughly 2,700 carts to date, about 63% participation among eligible households, and that the city has a wait list of about 40 households.

Why it matters: The carts support a citywide recycling program intended to increase recycling tonnage and reduce landfill waste. Pennington said average monthly recycling tonnage has risen from about 16 tons per month under the blue‑bag system to roughly 40 tons per month under the cart program.

Council discussed grant opportunities and procurement. Council member John King suggested seeking grant funding (for example, from the Recycling Partnership or Ohio EPA) to offset cart costs; Mayor Brennan said such grants are more likely if the city moves from an opt‑in program to a universal distribution program. Council members asked Waste Management to provide an audit of contamination and recycling performance; the city expects a recycling audit between October and December.

Logistics: The carts are sold in semi‑truck minimum order quantities; the supplier's minimum order is one semi (560 carts). Director Pennington said additional carts will be stored behind city facilities until distribution.