Resident asks why churches pay $600 for recycling; council to invite Republic Services for briefing

A city resident raised questions at the March 7 Princeton City Council meeting about recycling service costs for nonprofit organizations and whether local recyclables are actually recycled.

Sherry Parker, who identified herself as head of trustees at the local Methodist Church, told the council the church pays $600 per year for recycling collected every other week and contrasted that with a household utility charge she said is about $16 per month. "I'd like some explanation, first off, why the churches and schools and businesses are supporting this cost," Parker said.

Mayor Raymond Mabry acknowledged receipt of Parker's email and said council members and staff had gathered preliminary information. He said the elementary and high schools currently pay $600 for recycling collection and that the city does not pick up commercial trash. "We could certainly look into it," Mabry said, adding he would seek input from City Clerk Janet Hanks, Department Head Erin Christiansen and Republic Services.

Mabry described the local handling the council could confirm: city-collected recyclables are taken early in the morning to a Republic Services facility where materials are dumped on a concrete floor, pushed into trailers and hauled away for processing. He proposed inviting a Republic Services representative to an upcoming accounts meeting to provide details about what happens to Princeton's recyclables and to answer residents' questions.

Parker said if recycling is not cost-effective the church might stop subscribing; the mayor said staff would follow up in the coming days and identify a meeting date when Republic Services could brief the council and the public. No council vote or change to fees was taken at the meeting.