Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Citizens Academy urges stronger recycling outreach; proposes glass drop-off partnerships
Summary
Two Citizens Academy groups presented recommendations to boost recycling in Oak Ridge: one group showcased outreach ideas (TikTok, school competitions, bill inserts) and a second proposed partnering with Recycling Services LLC or nearby county sites to resume glass recycling and divert an estimated 3,900 tons a year from landfill.
Two Citizens Academy teams presented proposals to Oak Ridge council to increase recycling participation and to re-establish local glass recycling.
Anne (Citizens Academy presenter) told council the education group's goal is to "inspire change, to inform our residents about sorting recycling" and proposed school competitions, social-media content (TikTok), bill inserts and partnerships with youth and civic groups to increase awareness and correct curbside sorting.
The best-practices group, presented by Larry Fran, focused on glass recycling. Fran said Oak Ridge lacks a local glass-refinement infrastructure and estimated the city currently sends about "3,900 tons a year" of glass to landfills. He described two low- and higher-cost options: partner with Recycling Services LLC and use an Anderson County convenience site as a glass drop-off point (lower-cost) or enter a contract with Recycling Services to site small community drop boxes in high-visibility, low-traffic locations.
Council members responded positively and suggested next steps: public education through the city website and utility bill inserts, coordination with schools and the Anderson County recycling operators, and staff follow-up on feasibility and logistics. "I would love to see you all do the same presentation in front of the school board," one council member said, urging a school partnership.
Staff and council asked clarifying questions about what materials the drop-offs would accept and logistics for pickups; Fran said Recycling Services LLC (based in Sylvania, Ohio) has operated glass collection and began a Nashville operation in 2023 and that Roane County began glass drop-off in 2025 and has seen growing participation.
Next steps: staff to review partnership options, include recycling guidance in city communications and explore potential pilot sites for glass drop-offs.
