ANDERSON, Ind. —
Over the past two weeks, the recycling program in Anderson has been changing.
Per a contract with the city, Best Way Disposal is picking up recycling every other week, rather than weekly. Trash pickup continues to be collected on a weekly basis.
Although the recycling pickups are less frequent, residents can choose to fill up larger bins to turn in more materials each time.
Previously, the only recycling option was an 18-gallon uncovered tote. Now people can request carts that can hold 96 gallons, 64 gallons or 32 gallons, and those bins have wheels and lids, said Andy Drummond, manager of Best Way Disposal in Anderson.
Residents can call Best Way to request a larger container — and many already have.
The company has handed out 600 larger containers, with the 96-gallon cart being the most popular, Drummond said.
“The little 18-gallon bins are so light that people would put them out and they would blow all over the place, or the material would blow out of them,” he said, explaining why the larger carts are more convenient.
Bob Schuler, a Board of Public Works member, is a big believer in recycling and hopes these changes cause people to recycle more, and in bigger quantities.
“Because we will be offering three different sizes of wheeled recycling containers, it might encourage people who didn’t want to bother with carrying the little blue totes,” Schuler said. “Specifically, for older citizens, it’s going to be a help to them in that they can better handle recycling without a lot of difficulties in getting the cart to the curb.”
Based on collections by Best Way, city residents recycle about 119 tons of materials per month, Drummond said. From June 2010 to July 2011, for example, the city recycled 1,428 tons.
Starting about two weeks ago, the disposal company began placing fliers at residences with calendars and information on the schedule change. Recycling will be picked up on the same day it always has been, which varies among different parts of the city, except every other week, Drummond said.
The new schedule was in effect last week, although the new three-year contract was signed last fall under the previous Board of Works members.
The monthly trash and recycling collection bill will be $243,000, and will include service to about 20,000 households as well as all the city parks, former board chairman Greg Graham said last fall. Previously, the parks department removed the trash at the parks.
Prior to this contract, Best Way Disposal held the last three-year contract, which was extended until the new contract was signed. That contract had a monthly rate of $240,000, Graham had said.
The new contract includes a $7,500 contribution, up from $5,000, made by Best Way that will be used to promote recycling, Schuler said. The Board of Works will make its own contribution, but that amount has not been determined yet, he said.
The board still has to discuss how it will use the contribution this time. For the last couple years, the parks department has sponsored an outdoor concert where there were educational displays and fliers were handed out detailing the importance and necessity of recycling, Schuler said.
Contact Melanie Hayes: 648-4250, melanie.hayes@heraldbulletin.com
Local Business
Related Photos
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Best Way employee Kyle Williams, right, dumps a recycling container as co-worker Loyce Williams prepares to dump another container Monday morning as they work a recycling route along Short Hazlett Street. John P. Cleary
Discussion
Recycling collection moves to bigger bins, every other week
New contract also includes promotion of recycling
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