Council advances recycling amendment to secure DEP reimbursement for event containers

A first reading of ordinance B-8, which amends definitions and requires provision and separate collection of recyclables at city-sponsored events, passed after the clerk read the proposed changes. A resident, Olivia Smith, asked whether the language required separating regular trash from recyclables at events; city staff answered the question during the meeting.

A city chief explained the change is intended to address a DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) review and secure reimbursement: "We're eligible for up to $250,000 under the terms of the new contract, we we provided 10,000 recycling containers citywide," the chief said. Staff said the amendment adds explicit language about city-sponsored events so the city can claim the reimbursement and continue work with its hauler to improve the historically low recycling rate (reported last year as 3 percent).