Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recycling topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clinton council hears strong public support for curbside recycling, explores opt‑out model
Summary
At a March 10 public hearing, Clinton residents largely urged the council to pursue curbside recycling and seasonal green‑waste collection; city staff and waste managers said expanded diversion could extend the Davis Landfill from about 15 toward 20 years but final costs and program structure remain under study.
CLINTON — The Clinton City Council heard broad public support on March 10 for a city‑run curbside recycling program and seasonal green‑waste collection, while staff warned that key details — including resident costs and processing partners — remain unresolved.
Mayor Marie Dougherty opened a public hearing on the city’s exploration of curbside recycling in partnership with Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District, saying the district has encouraged member cities to boost diversion to extend the life of the Davis Landfill and reduce long‑distance hauling costs. Dougherty said the city is considering an opt‑out structure, which research suggests drives higher participation than opt‑in programs, and noted potential grant opportunities to offset container purchases.
Residents who spoke during the hearing generally favored municipal recycling. Emily Salisbury urged the council to implement both recycling and green‑waste services, citing environmental benefits and the potential for compost to aid local landscaping. Matt Scott said his household currently pays about "$25 per month" for private recycling and supported a municipal option. Several residents, including Lisa Cook and Sheila Merrill, told the council that curbside convenience would increase participation compared with a centralized drop‑off site.
Some speakers raised cautionary questions. Amanda Allen asked what would happen to materials that cannot be processed by local recycling facilities; Paul Stuart and others sought clarity on whether containers provided via grants would be owned by the city or the resident and how seasonal green‑waste collection would be handled. Aaron Rice and Aaron Calder said they would likely opt out if program fees did not match their household needs.
Mayor Dougherty introduced Lance Allen of Robinson Waste Services and Jesse Simonson, landfill manager for Wasatch Integrated, to answer operational questions. Lance Allen said it is most efficient for garbage and recycling to be scheduled on the same day and that recyclable containers should be empty and reasonably clean to avoid contamination. Jesse Simonson said preliminary projections estimate "approximately 15 years" of remaining Davis Landfill capacity and that expanded recycling and green‑waste diversion could extend that closer to 20 years; he added the district engages multiple processing partners for nonrecyclable materials and currently uses a cement kiln in Morgan for certain waste‑to‑fuel operations.
Councilmembers asked follow‑up questions about contamination, hauling costs and program timing. Finance and implementation details — including whether the city would adopt opt‑out enrollment, the final resident fee structure, and exact grant availability — were not finalized. Mayor Dougherty thanked attendees and said the council will continue evaluating options and costs before deciding on program design or citywide implementation.
The city did not take formal action on the program during the meeting; staff and the council signaled additional analysis and cost modeling before any vote or contract decisions.
