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Midway weighs curbside recycling options and vendor role as council weighs opt-in vs. opt-out
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Summary
City staff reported options from Recyclops and discussed whether Midway should run administration or let the vendor manage billing; staff recommended collecting opt-in and opt-out pricing and invited the vendor for further questions after public comment urged the city to avoid taking on program administration.
Councilors discussed curbside recycling options and vendor roles, with staff presenting two main models — opt-in and opt-out — and residents and staff weighing administrative burdens and cost trade-offs.
A staff presenter said the city has two primary options for curbside recycling: an opt-in service where residents individually subscribe, or an opt-out model that would automatically enroll households and reduce per-household cost. "We have 2 options. We have an opt in or an opt out. Opt out is going to be a whole lot cheaper," the staff presenter said while outlining the trade-offs.
Staff reported that Recyclops (a private vendor) offered pricing and that if the city declined to act as a phone/billing center, the vendor would add about $0.20 — a small administrative surcharge — and that Recyclops is willing to provide revised quotes that either include or remove city administration. Staff emphasized the need to decide how much administrative work Midway staff should perform, saying city staff were "not the least bit excited about taking it on" and that shifting administration to the vendor could avoid creating new staff responsibilities.
During public comment, Lynette Wilson identified herself as a Midway resident and employee of Wasatch County Solid Waste and urged the city not to take on the program. She described past local recycling options and alternatives (Kerbit and RecycleUtah) and said many residents could subscribe to a private curbside service if the city simply published options and contacts. "I don't believe that the mid citizens of Midway, should have to go through any expense for the research when they can simply...set up their own subscription," Wilson said.
Councilmembers asked staff to obtain refined pricing for both opt-in and opt-out models (with and without vendor-handled administration), to consider an RFP process, and to invite Recyclops to a future meeting to answer questions. Staff also suggested conducting community outreach or a survey to gauge resident interest before implementing a model.
Next steps: staff will request updated quotes from Recyclops for opt-in and opt-out services, seek a hands-off agreement option where the vendor handles administration, consider a community interest survey, and invite the vendor to a council meeting for questions.