Council updates garbage and recycling ordinance; public asks for clearer outreach and drop-off options

Lafayette officials adopted amendments to Chapter 6.07 (garbage and waste) to reflect current sanitation procedures and clarify recycling expectations for residents and enforcement practices.

Dan Kroll of Streets and Sanitation presented the changes as codifying longstanding operations and said the amendments would aid enforcement staff and violation inspectors. He and sanitation staff answered multiple resident questions about how to prepare recyclables: shredded paper may be placed loosely in recycling totes or placed in biodegradable leaf bags; plastic clamshells and Styrofoam are not accepted locally; only certain plastics (clear #1 and #2) are currently taken at the transfer station. Kroll said cardboard is being routed to a local processor (Fiber Global) at no cost to the city.

Residents raised concerns about access for people who live in apartment buildings, particularly downtown residents without vehicles. Colleen Delaney (475 South Street) asked whether the city would require large apartment buildings (more than five units) to provide recycling; staff and council members said the ordinance does not force multiunit landlords to provide in-building recycling and that the city could explore additional drop-off options but not require recycling at this time. Other commenters sought clearer public education; staff noted the Tippecanoe County Solid Waste District coordinates countywide outreach materials.

After discussion and public comment, the ordinance passed on a roll-call vote recorded as unanimous (7–0). Staff and council said enforcement and public education would continue; the sanitation department plans follow-up outreach and will coordinate with the solid-waste district.