Billings council signals direction to end city cardboard pickup, staff told to pursue ordinance change

City staff presented an analysis of the municipal cardboard recycling program and the council gave direction to staff to pursue eliminating the city’s monthly curbside cardboard pickup while leaving open future special pickups.

Jennifer Duray (Public Works) told the council the program reaches roughly 4,000 customers a month (about 10% participation) and collects about 360 tons of cardboard annually, while the landfill accepts roughly 42,000 tons of cardboard each year. Duray said program costs are about $319,000 annually—including vendor fees to recycle material, staffing and equipment—and that the city saves comparatively little landfill airspace; staff estimated the cost is about $78 per participating customer per year and roughly $869 per ton recycled under current operations.

Duray presented three options: keep the status quo; discontinue the program (option two); or discontinue the monthly curbside service and add four seasonal curbside pickups tied to high‑need times (option three), which staff recommended. Staff noted discontinuing the monthly program could eliminate two full‑time equivalents over time and allow the city to sell older rear‑load trucks. Option two showed an immediate annual savings of about $312,000; option three showed annual savings of about $138,000 and would retain periodic cleanup service for households without other means to haul material.

Council members debated tradeoffs. Supporters of discontinuing the city program cited cost, contamination of recyclables and windblown litter on seasonal pickup days; proponents of retaining some city service emphasized equity and assistance for residents who lack transportation or funds to use private vendors. Council members discussed vendor arrangements (staff said the city pays about $75 per ton to vendor Earth First and that some contaminated material still goes to the landfill) and the fact that the landfill currently subsidizes a portion of collection rates.

A motion was made to direct staff to proceed with option two (elimination of the monthly city cardboard pickup), seconded and discussed. Council then signaled support by voice/thumbs; staff will return with the code changes and a public‑communications plan noting that ending the program would require an ordinance change and a transition period to notify customers.

Next steps: staff will draft required city code amendments, develop public outreach and consider timing for program discontinuation and any targeted seasonal pickups or drop‑off options.