Recycling Pilot to End

Alderman Scott Sprouse explains why the recycling pilot program is coming to an end:

Last night, our board voted to end the pilot recycling program. Here’s why.

Nearly two years ago, the city initiated the pilot program in order to gauge public support of recycling. We needed data - percentage of homeowners participating, average volume collected per household, etc. - to help with planning and decisions regarding a potential community-wide program.

Last spring, the board was told all needed data was collected and funding for the pilot program would expire when the fiscal year ended on June 30. The board voted to fund the program for four additional months to help foster a transition to a community-wide solution.

I don’t have to remind you what happened in the meantime. The near last-minute vote to change who both collects our garbage and how often they collect it set off a series of short term decisions too reactive and often lacking details. (I voted against changing our trash services, but once the decision was made I accepted it, rolled up my sleeves, and started doing what I can to help other officials and staff implement it.)

Last night, the board was told the funding extension we passed in June for the pilot program will expire at the end of this month. We were asked to extend it for another six months with no timeline or next steps towards a community-wide solution. That would be just another reactive, short-term decision made without a proactive, long-term plan.

Voting to extend the pilot program may have been the politically expedient thing to do, but I could not in good conscience vote to continue a program that has completed it purpose. I could not ask every homeowner across the city to continue funding a service provided to only the chosen few. In some wards, the service is provided to only one subdivision. In Ward Two, the service is provided to only one block.

The next step toward recycling is not endlessly continuing a pilot program. The next step is developing a proposal, including a timeline and costs, and making a long-term decision to benefit the entire community.

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