Mayor proposes ending curbside recycling, cites contamination and costs; council weighs options

The mayor of Riverton proposed removing curbside recycling as part of the fiscal 2025-26 budget, saying curbside recycling contributes little to the city's diversion while costing the general fund money.

"I'm in favor of stopping that practice," the mayor said as the budget discussion opened, noting the city's contract with its hauler requires six months' notice before stopping curbside collection. Staff and council then reviewed data from the city's hauler and considered alternatives including regional drop-off at parks, an opt-in program and changes to user fees.

Why it matters: the city's sanitation fund currently requires a subsidy from the general fund under the mayor's proposed budget. Staff and council members said reducing or eliminating curbside recycling could reduce that subsidy and free general-fund dollars for other priorities; opponents warned of political backlash without thorough resident education.

Staff presented the hauler's figures showing diversion and contamination rates. According to the material staff attributed to the hauler, roughly 8% of the total tonnage collected is diverted for recycling; of that diverted stream an average of 19% is contamination (residue that ultimately goes to landfill). Applying…