Press Release:
More Than 3,000 Tons Collected in First Three Months of Recycling Program
The City of Columbus’ new residential recycling program RecyColumbus has collected 3,192 tons of recyclables in its first three months, including 1,178 tons of recycling collected in August. Currently, 104,264 households in the west, far west, northwest, east, south and southeast sides are participating in the program that will be implemented citywide by February 2013.
“Residents told us they wanted residential recycling, and they have embraced it,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “The people of Columbus are stepping up to make this one of the greenest cities in the nation.”
The 3,192 tons of recyclables diverted from the landfill since the start of the residential recycling program has saved the City taxpayers $176,971 in tipping fees that would have been paid to dump the reusable materials at the landfill. The total includes $65,291 in savings from the 1,178 tons of recyclables collected in August.
“The residential recycling program continues to provide real savings to our residents who clearly understand the importance of the program when it comes to protecting our environment and also reducing land fill costs,” said Councilmember Eileen Y. Paley, chair of the Public Service and Transportation Committee.
The collected recycling had little contamination by regular trash, showing that residents knew what items were recyclable. August recycling totals in the first two phases of the program include:
· Phase 1 (Franklinton, the Hilltop, Far West Side, Southwest Side and parts of the Northwest Side): 581 tons from 47,741 households
· Phase 2 (South Side, Southeast Side, Near East Side south of East Broad Street and the Far East Side): 596 tons from 56,523 households
Bi-weekly recycling collection started in Phase 1 areas on June 4 and in Phase 2 neighborhoods on July 31. The remaining residential recycling implementation schedule includes:
· Phase 3 (Far North and Far Northwest neighborhoods north of S.R. 161): Bi-weekly recycling collections will begin September 26
· Phase 4 (Clintonville, Harrison West, Italian Village, Milo-Grogan, Northwest Side south of Bethel Road, the Short North, the University area, Victorian Village and Weinland Park): Recycling cart deployment to begin October 15; bi-weekly collection of recycling to begin December 6
· Phase 5: (North and South Linden, Near East Side north of East Broad Street, Northeast Side): Recycling cart deployment to begin December 10; bi-weekly collection of recycling to begin February 1, 2013
When fully implemented in February 2013, RecyColumbus will serve approximately 215,000 households. Columbus residents living in single-family homes or in a building with four units or less that is not part of a complex are eligible for the new, easy-to-use service.
Recycling is collected at no additional cost to residents every two weeks, alternating with yard waste collection. The program is expected to save the City of Columbus millions of dollars in landfill costs over several years.
Residents can learn what to do when the recycling cart is delivered to their home by watching an educational video online at http://www.recyclecolumbus.org, where residents can also find out what their collection day is and more about recycling. The video is part of public outreach and education program that includes community presentations, neighborhood posters and displays, media coverage, phone call reminders to recycle and television public service announcements.
Residents can also connect online at: Facebook.com/ ColumbusPublicService and twitter.com/ColumbusDPS or search for #RecycleColumbus.
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