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The Dispatch wrote
Columbus to stop footing cost of curbside recycling
Monday, February 25, 2008
BY ROBERT VITALE
City Council members voted tonight to end a $389,000 annual subsidy for curbside recycling. “We can no longer afford the subsidy,” said Public Service Director Mark Kelsey, who noted that just 5 percent of his department’s customers are curbside subscribers.
Curbside recycling will continue for Columbus residents who want to pay for the convenience. For now, the $5 monthly fee will rise to $8.25 for current curbside customers on June 1.
Columbus residents who don’t want to pay for recycling can take their paper, bottles, cans and cardboard to any of 190 bins placed at schools, in parks and other locations. They’re the one bright spot in the city’s dismal recycling record. The number of drop-off locations nearly tripled in 2007, and the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio reported an additional 1,100 tons of material collected. Rates are climbing so far this year, as well.
That’s why the end of the curbside subsidy shouldn’t be viewed as a sign Columbus is giving up on recycling, Kelsey said. Drop-off recycling is cheaper — $50 per ton of materials collected, compared with $200 a ton for pickup service — and might be better for the environment, too, he said.
Related Stories:
- SWACO reporting recycling records set in 2007
- 121 new recycling locations in Columbus
- Restaurants trying to balance recycling with cost
I remember having the hardest time finding out about Rumpke and getting my service started.
I don’t think you really had a hard time finding out about Rumpke and getting your service started. I read your comment (above) and I think you’re more about wanting to sound like you had a hard time rather than actually having a hard time.
:P
The future looks bright.
On one hand, personally, I’d rather have 190 drop points than partially-subsidized recycling on my curb. On the other, I’m not lazy; many people are, forcing them to throw into the trash things they could’ve recycled.
The increase in cost for continued subscribers isn’t that big, though. I wonder if subscription will decrease. I’d say the five percent who opt in won’t be bothered by the increase.
I’d be all about free curbside service. But you have to realize that City Council would still have to axe the existing plan in order to implement something BETTER.
I hope you are right, I hope they do care more than I think they do.
I’ll guess we’ll just have to see if the city really does implement a new plan, or if they just sit back and continue to rely on their 190 bins that they seem so proud of. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they have drop off recycling in so many places. I just dont think that is the long term solution and I hope the city doesnt either.
On one hand, personally, I’d rather have 190 drop points than partially-subsidized recycling on my curb. On the other, I’m not lazy; many people are, forcing them to throw into the trash things they could’ve recycled.
The increase in cost for continued subscribers isn’t that big, though. I wonder if subscription will decrease. I’d say the five percent who opt in won’t be bothered by the increase.
I’d bet the number of subscribers won’t go down too much, but that new subscribers will trail off even more.
Agreed. I’m curious to know what percentage were recyclers before this minor subsidization went into effect. Because if $300k+ per year only got 100 extra people recycling then I say “Mission Not Accomplished”.
:?
“It’s been very frustrating we haven’t been able to crack this nut,†she said. Here is an idea. Make people pay for garbage by the pound and make recycling and composting free. hmmmm?
Agreed. That would be awesome.
However, free garbage pickup is the third-rail of Columbus politics — the carrot dangled in front of Columbus voters when they were hit with a city income tax decades ago. No politician will touch it.
Or do both. (Smiley, winky face)
I think that the politicals do want recycling here in Columbus, they just don’t listen to good ideas on how to do it. I live in the “test” area for the blue bag pilot program (in fact I was running the civic association at the time) and we tried to tell the city the plan was deeply flawed. We were (once again) assured that the city knew our needs and requirements better than we did and that if we supported the program it would work. I’m not sure where the disconnect occurs with the city; whether it is the politicians, their handlers, or the city workers themselves, but somewhere along the line no one is listening to the neighborhoods themselves. If recycling costs money and trash pick up is free than recycling will always lose in the working class areas. Being green is perceived as a luxury when you are struggling to pay your gas bill.
A little more than 60% of what goes to the SWACO landfill is recyclable. I’m trying to do some research for my blog right now on exactly what the contract Columbus has with Rumpke specifies? I think I’m going to have to do a public records request.
Sad but true about the class issues that often hinder green initiatives. I think that public education regarding environmental issues is a huge problem; most times, going green saves money.
Love it.
How about this idea: make it a law and force people to do it. Orange County, NY – where I’m originally from and my parents currently reside – has a law about recycling:
In accordance with Local Law #2 of 1989, Section VIII, an economic market exists for the following
recyclable components:
Aluminum Foil
Milk cartons
Chipboard/Boxboard
Notebook & Construction Paper
Computer/Photocopy/Fax Copy
Office Paper
Corrugated Cardboard
Soft Covered work books & Paperback books
Juice Boxes
Telephone Books
Junkmail
White Envelopes
Kraft Paper (brown grocery bags)
White Refrigerated/Frozen Food Containers
Magazines & Catalogs
Effective on Earthday, April 22, 2003, the above listed material will become mandatory recyclable components of the solid waste stream. Mandatory meaning, by law, the material must be source separated and recycled. Enforcement of the new rules will begin on May 26, 2003. Anyone found not to be in compliance of the new rules are subject to a fine of $1,000 and/or revocation of Orange County Solid Waste Management Facility privileges.
AN EASY SEPARATION GUIDE. As you can see the additional recycling will still only require
two (2) containers, one (1) for mixed containers and one (1) for mixed paper.
Even though we’re increasing mandatory recycling, we’re not increasing the difficulty. This change is user friendly.
NO ONE (resident/businesses (retail/wholesale)/government agency/schools/institutions (private/public) /industrial) is exempt from mandatory recycling. Everyone is required by law to recycle.
If people will not do it voluntarily, sometimes you have to use force.
MY SOURCE
How about this idea: make it a law and force people to do it. Orange County, NY – where I’m originally from and my parents currently reside – has a law about recycling:
In accordance with Local Law #2 of 1989, Section VIII, an economic market exists for the following
recyclable components:
Aluminum Foil
Milk cartons
Chipboard/Boxboard
Notebook & Construction Paper
Computer/Photocopy/Fax Copy
Office Paper
Corrugated Cardboard
Soft Covered work books & Paperback books
Juice Boxes
Telephone Books
Junkmail
White Envelopes
Kraft Paper (brown grocery bags)
White Refrigerated/Frozen Food Containers
Magazines & Catalogs
Effective on Earthday, April 22, 2003, the above listed material will become mandatory recyclable components of the solid waste stream. Mandatory meaning, by law, the material must be source separated and recycled. Enforcement of the new rules will begin on May 26, 2003. Anyone found not to be in compliance of the new rules are subject to a fine of $1,000 and/or revocation of Orange County Solid Waste Management Facility privileges.
AN EASY SEPARATION GUIDE. As you can see the additional recycling will still only require
two (2) containers, one (1) for mixed containers and one (1) for mixed paper.
Even though we’re increasing mandatory recycling, we’re not increasing the difficulty. This change is user friendly.
NO ONE (resident/businesses (retail/wholesale)/government agency/schools/institutions (private/public) /industrial) is exempt from mandatory recycling. Everyone is required by law to recycle.
If people will not do it voluntarily, sometimes you have to use force.
A law enforcing recycling would make me not want to recycle even more than I already don’t.
Do you have any more info on this? Exact dates, who was involved, the actual language?
Love it.
How about this idea: make it a law and force people to do it. Orange County, NY – where I’m originally from and my parents currently reside – has a law about recycling:
In accordance with Local Law #2 of 1989, Section VIII, an economic market exists for the following
recyclable components:
Aluminum Foil
Milk cartons
Chipboard/Boxboard
Notebook & Construction Paper
Computer/Photocopy/Fax Copy
Office Paper
Corrugated Cardboard
Soft Covered work books & Paperback books
Juice Boxes
Telephone Books
Junkmail
White Envelopes
Kraft Paper (brown grocery bags)
White Refrigerated/Frozen Food Containers
Magazines & Catalogs
Effective on Earthday, April 22, 2003, the above listed material will become mandatory recyclable components of the solid waste stream. Mandatory meaning, by law, the material must be source separated and recycled. Enforcement of the new rules will begin on May 26, 2003. Anyone found not to be in compliance of the new rules are subject to a fine of $1,000 and/or revocation of Orange County Solid Waste Management Facility privileges.
AN EASY SEPARATION GUIDE. As you can see the additional recycling will still only require
two (2) containers, one (1) for mixed containers and one (1) for mixed paper.
Even though we’re increasing mandatory recycling, we’re not increasing the difficulty. This change is user friendly.
NO ONE (resident/businesses (retail/wholesale)/government agency/schools/institutions (private/public) /industrial) is exempt from mandatory recycling. Everyone is required by law to recycle.
If people will not do it voluntarily, sometimes you have to use force.
W00t! And though it’s a tough call, kudos to City Council for axing an unsuccessful plan. We can do better (see above!).
I wish people weren’t so lazy.
A two second google search for “recycling in columbus” tells you how to do it. It’s free! Also, you probably could have called the city also OR just went directly to the City’s webpage.
When I lived around OSU Campus I walked my bag of recyclables a few blocks to a drop off. Exercise and Recycling!
Many are drop offs already at Kroger. Just take your recycles with you when you go to get new groceries. And if your grocer doesn’t have a bin, make it known that you want one there.
I agree about paying for garbage. The city should use subsidy money for compost boxes.
My apartment is too small to recycle.
Me too, unfortunately those people are vrtually impossible to change
I love this about Kroger.
Brilliant. Not only do I think people should pay for garbage, but I think they should be rewarded for recyling. Sure it would be lovely if it was free – but to be paid for it would be even better. Rewards for recycling could offset costs for garbage.
Isn’t the first time Ndecent has been inadequate due to being too small :lol: