One of my recycling partners in crime forwarded this message to me. Even thought commodities are down (especially for recycling) they are still getting some money for them and they are not going into the landfill. Please read on to see all of the updates on recycling in Atlanta giving the new economic situation.
Hello Neighbors-
I’ve received some follow-up questions about recycling from the previous
email you just received. Here’s some more information.
SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING The first thing that’s important to know is that
the City of Atlanta (COA) participates in “single stream recycling” which
means you do not have to separate your recyclables-but please try to keep
the paper dry by having a top for your bin. When you see all recyclables
dumped into a truck together, that’s OK. BUT, IF YOU SEE RECYCLABLES AND
GARBAGE DUMPED INTO THE SAME TRUCK TOGETHER, THAT NOT OK. Please call us
at 404-330-6051.
CITY OF ATLANTA DOES ALL COLLECTION NOW At the beginning of the FY 09
budget (7-1-08), COA took back the recycling contract from the outsourced
vendor and saved $1 Million by doing so. The COA began at that time to
use city vehicles to collect once per week garbage, recycling and yard
trimmings. That’s three crews per single family household once a week.
All the trucks look alike.
LAY OFFS IN PUBLIC WORKS In the fall of 2008, COA had to cut more from
the adopted budget because, while expenses were down from adopted budget,
the anticipated revenues (sales tax, property taxes, etc.) were even more
down. With these lay-offs in Public Works (as well as Police, Fire and
Parks and Planning), COA Public Works made the decision to collect
garbage every week (this is a must because of public health) and recycling
and yard trimmings every other week.
PLEASE CONTINUE RECYCLING The COA sells the collected recyclables for $1
per ton. While that is not much money, every ton that does not go to the
landfill saves the COA tipping fees at the landfill. I know this is a
pain in the neck, especially for those of us whose black bin was not big
enough for two people for one week, much less two weeks. I always had
several bags full of recyclables sitting around my black bin when the
collection was weekly. So I acquiesced and bought a bigger bin. Now
things are much less messy in my carport. You can continue to put out
extra bags of recycling around your small black bin OR buy a bigger bin
somewhere such as Wal Mart. Please buy one with a top.
THE GLASS IS HALF FULL STORY In Austin, Texas, that city changed to
every other week recycling but in a planned, well-thought-out program.
They delivered (free) to all residents the bigger blue bin, advertized for
weeks and then began their every other week collection. This has meant
fewer trucks on the street and better air quality. I am in hopes that the
COA will be able to recover soon enough to buy bigger blue recycling bins
for all.
Please email me if I can answer any more questions.
Clair Muller
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