University Heights reports higher recycling participation, Tree City USA designation and compost pilot

Mayor (name not specified) credited the city's new curbside recycling program with sharply increased participation and said the administration will launch a composting pilot citywide.

"As of today, 2,534 households have opted into the program. That is 59.6% of the eligible households participating," the mayor said of the automated curbside recycling program begun Sept. 30, 2024. He said the program replaced single-use blue bags and that the value of recyclables now offsets processing costs, producing a rebate instead of a processing expense.

The mayor also said the city will pilot a composting program, with residents to receive a mailing the following month, and announced University Heights had earned Tree City USA designation for 2025. He reported the city planted 72 trees last year and plans to plant 50 more in the spring. The mayor credited Director Alan Pennington, Deanna Bremer Fisher and Mike Cook for implementing recycling and sustainability programs.

Why it matters: increased recycling participation can reduce processing costs and municipal waste, while a composting pilot and tree-planting are part of broader sustainability and climate action planning. The mayor also referenced a proposed city climate action plan the administration is developing with the sustainability advisory committee.

Details and context: recycling program participation (2,534 households; 59.6% participation) was presented as a doubling from prior participation under the blue-bag system. The mayor said the city secured a grant to enable the composting pilot and that a mailing to residents would follow. He also noted the administration expects to present new tree and native-plant ordinances and is coordinating with community volunteers and advisory committees.