City drops recycling program?

[Robin Garr]

I remember reading recently (yes, probably in the CJ) that the city, citing budget constraints, was planning to discontinue private recycling pickup and turn this job over to the Department of Sanitation.

Unless my eyes deceived me, it appears that this means no more recycling: A large city garbage truck just came through our alley, and the guys casually tossed all the contents of all the orange recycling bins into the grinder without sorting it. It's hard for me to imagine that it is destined for anyplace but the landfill.

Did I miss something? Was this announced? Or is it a little surprise from City Hall? It's hard to imagine the abrupt discontinuance of the entire program without some kind of an outcry ...

I have not heard that, but the price paid for recycled paper, aluminum and glass has plummeted, so it wouldn't surprise me if Metro justs bags the whole curbside recycling program, at least temporarily. The budget woes are well advertised. Maybe the combination of paying a vendor to collect it and then taking a hit on the price paid for the material has been enough to stop the program. The lack of a public outcry might be because the public is too busy crying out about furloughs, libraries' reduced hours, take-home vehicles, granite curbs (sorry), Otter Creek Park.................., etc.

The recycle truck that comes by on Kennedy has been throwing everything together for a while now . We asked our pickup man about it, and he said they sort it when they get to their destination. He said the process is faster that way. We have not had a city garbage truck pick ours up yet, but we have been very suspicious that everything is going to the landfill since he started throwing it all together. I had even bought an extra bin so sorting would be easier for everyone concerned.

I'm in the hinterlands. I want to recycle, but how?

Doggy,

In the suburbs, you need to contract with your waste disposal company for this service. You pay a separate fee for it and they usually provide the container. In our case, we have Industrial Disposal but Waste Management definitely does it too. You can also drive to the City recycling facilities and drop-off yourself.

Deb

I'm kinda curious what happens to the drop off sites - it was part of the ID contract...

Robin,

As mentioned above, I'm sure the municipal monetary problem has something to do with it. I'd also wager that if everything goes into the back of the truck, it goes to the landfill without any sorting beforehand.

When I lived in Minnesota, they had a great approach. Municipal recycling was provided at no extra charge, yard waste was prohibited in the trash and each household was limited to two 32 gal. containers per week. If you put out more trash than that the extras needed to have a tag which could be purchased for $2 at city hall.

BP

Here is a link to the article that appeared in the CJ:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090101/NEWS01/901010397/1008/rss01

Our normal pick-up had been Friday mornings. Last night a city truck came by at 8:30 PM and threw everything in the back of the truck. We really make an effort to recycle at our house. I hope it is being recycled properly, but it does seem a little suspicious.

Here are so things to think about:


From what I know there is no intention of stopping curbside pickup, as of yet. The transfer from a outside vendor to SWMS (Metro's Solid Waste Division) is a cost saving measure.

As for going to a landfill, thats not happening, even with the price cardboard, glass, etc falling. Landfill cost are still higher($28/ton). Basically cities pays to make the wastestreams go away, but it is still cheaper than landfilling (for some reason everyone seems to think that recycling programs are cost neutral, if not profitable).

You also have to remember that curbside is only a USD (Urban Services District) program. Since USD taxes are higher, USD money stays in the USD. This would seem to be in curbsides favor. The non USD council members are still pushing to get curbside in their areas also.

In short lets all take a breath, and find the facts. If you are concerned call and talk to either:

Keith S. Hackett, Division Director
Metro Solid Waste Management
600 Meriwether Avenue
Louisville, KY 40217
Phone - 502.574.3571

or

Ted A. Pullen, P.E.
Director
Department of Public Works & Assets
444 S. 5th Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone - 502.574.5810

[Robin Garr]

Bill, you seem knowledgeable on this issue. Thanks for the background info, and for the contact numbers.

While we're just sitting around and speculating on a Saturday, though, would you be willing to talk about whether you think there's any significance in the sudden appearance of tippers throwing the full contents of recycling bins into the back of a standard garbage truck, without sorting? Maybe someone is sorting it out and sending it to the proper recyclers back at the garage, but it does seem kind of odd. Comment?

Here are so things to think about:

From what I know there is no intention of stopping curbside pickup, as of yet. The transfer from a outside vendor to SWMS (Metro's Solid Waste Division) is a cost saving measure.

As for going to a landfill, thats not happening, even with the price cardboard, glass, etc falling. Landfill cost are still higher($28/ton). Basically cities pays to make the wastestreams go away, but it is still cheaper than landfilling (for some reason everyone seems to think that recycling programs are cost neutral, if not profitable).

Bill, you seem knowledgeable on this issue. Thanks for the background info, and for the contact numbers.

While we're just sitting around and speculating on a Saturday, though, would you be willing to talk about whether you think there's any significance in the sudden appearance of tippers throwing the full contents of recycling bins into the back of a standard garbage truck, without sorting? Maybe someone is sorting it out and sending it to the proper recyclers back at the garage, but it does seem kind of odd. Comment?

Here are so things to think about:

From what I know there is no intention of stopping curbside pickup, as of yet. The transfer from a outside vendor to SWMS (Metro's Solid Waste Division) is a cost saving measure.

As for going to a landfill, thats not happening, even with the price cardboard, glass, etc falling. Landfill cost are still higher($28/ton). Basically cities pays to make the wastestreams go away, but it is still cheaper than landfilling (for some reason everyone seems to think that recycling programs are cost neutral, if not profitable).

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I am not so concerned thought it sound wasteful. I believe Louisville as most cities actually hand sorts at a central location. From what I have been told most households don't sort things well. I think ID sort things at 9th & Oak. Seems like when we had that huge fire a couple of years ago the tv coverage talked about the possibility of the recycling center burning.

I would not be so worried about the recycling going away its really popular at cityhall. We are trying to be a green city remember. Recycling is a big part of looking green. Unfortunately its about appearances lots of time with government.