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Council questions cost and distribution plan for city-funded recycling containers
Summary
Councilors pressed staff on the cost of 35-gallon recycling containers the city plans to distribute for free; staff said prices reflect government-approved vendors, custom lids, printing and drainage modifications and said distribution will be through DPW at parks and plazas.
Council members on Feb. 20 questioned the cost and distribution of a planned purchase of 35-gallon recycling containers that the City of Passaic intends to give away to residents to encourage recycling.
A councilor asked how the containers would be distributed and why the per-unit cost appeared higher than retail. City staff explained the containers were purchased through government-approved vendors subject to purchasing rules, that previous distributions had been funded by grants, and that the city typically distributes containers at strategic locations such as Third Ward Memorial Park and Garibaldi Plaza (Monroe and First Street). Staff said the city prints "Passaic" on the containers, uses specialized lids and sometimes requests drain holes to allow water to escape — features not present on generic retail models — which contributes to higher prices.
Staff said the containers would be distributed for free at announced pick-up events with the Department of Public Works handling logistics. Council members asked for additional cost detail to be provided at a future meeting and staff indicated they could provide more information on vendor pricing and procurement at the next agenda.
Key clarifying details recorded in the discussion: - Container size discussed: 35-gallon. - Distribution approach: give away free to residents via DPW at multiple neighborhood locations and outreach to schools. - Price drivers: government purchasing requirements, custom lids, printed "Passaic" marking, and optional drain holes for outdoor use.
No formal vote on the purchase was recorded in the discussion excerpt; the item was part of a broader consent or purchasing group later acted on as part of routine agenda items.
