Fairhope, Alabama
After hearing recycling supervisor Dale Linder's report on current statistics, the Recycling Committee selected Nancy Anderson to be its chairman.
Linder said that about 1,512 tons of material will be collected this year, down from 1,738 last year. Of that, 67% was paper and cardboard, 21% glass, 6% metals, 5% plastics and 1% hazardous household wastes (paint, oil, solvents, etc.).
Because of various chronic mechanical problems with collection trucks, 67% had to be co-mingled (mixed together in the back of the trucks) this year; and only 38% kept separated.
Revenue received for the materials was only $42,597 this year, down from $93,636 last, and $110,000 in 2011; mainly because the value of the co-mingled materials is less than that for ones already separated -- and because of commodity-market fluctuations.
(The city's 3 recycling trucks are being painted green, to differentiate them from regular garbage collection trucks, according to Linder)
SUBCOMMITTEES FORMED
One subcommittee was formed, headed by Don Prosch, to produce weekly and monthly articles for newspapers to encourage more participation in the program; and another to study priorities for a long range plan.
Presentations may be done at elementary schools as well.
Public Works Director Fidler said two members of the committee had offered to assist her in examining the long range financial possibilities of the single stream model (co-mingled) vs separation at the curb -- and how to play the market by storing materials at the new Pecan St. annex. The city could eventually decide to do its own sorting at that facility as well.
(Allowing residents to mix all recyclables together at the curb instead of sorting them out into separate containers may increase the participation-rate.)
Fidler: "... marketing needs to happen ...but if we don't make business decisions about where we are going to go ... separate (materials) at Pecan St. annex or not? always co-mingle? those are the kind of decisions the council needs to see the numbers on."
COUNCILMAN WANTS RESULTS
Councilman Rich Mueller said that whatever action the committee took, the results needed to be verifiable, so the council can decide what new equipment is needed in next year's budget (different trucks, etc).
Mueller: "... we need to verify if these actions are just a waste of time ... just so we all can feel good ... or making a difference ... we need to see the results."
Linder said that about 1,512 tons of material will be collected this year, down from 1,738 last year. Of that, 67% was paper and cardboard, 21% glass, 6% metals, 5% plastics and 1% hazardous household wastes (paint, oil, solvents, etc.).
Because of various chronic mechanical problems with collection trucks, 67% had to be co-mingled (mixed together in the back of the trucks) this year; and only 38% kept separated.
Revenue received for the materials was only $42,597 this year, down from $93,636 last, and $110,000 in 2011; mainly because the value of the co-mingled materials is less than that for ones already separated -- and because of commodity-market fluctuations.
(The city's 3 recycling trucks are being painted green, to differentiate them from regular garbage collection trucks, according to Linder)
SUBCOMMITTEES FORMED
One subcommittee was formed, headed by Don Prosch, to produce weekly and monthly articles for newspapers to encourage more participation in the program; and another to study priorities for a long range plan.
Presentations may be done at elementary schools as well.
Public Works Director Fidler said two members of the committee had offered to assist her in examining the long range financial possibilities of the single stream model (co-mingled) vs separation at the curb -- and how to play the market by storing materials at the new Pecan St. annex. The city could eventually decide to do its own sorting at that facility as well.
(Allowing residents to mix all recyclables together at the curb instead of sorting them out into separate containers may increase the participation-rate.)
Fidler: "... marketing needs to happen ...but if we don't make business decisions about where we are going to go ... separate (materials) at Pecan St. annex or not? always co-mingle? those are the kind of decisions the council needs to see the numbers on."
COUNCILMAN WANTS RESULTS
Councilman Rich Mueller said that whatever action the committee took, the results needed to be verifiable, so the council can decide what new equipment is needed in next year's budget (different trucks, etc).
Mueller: "... we need to verify if these actions are just a waste of time ... just so we all can feel good ... or making a difference ... we need to see the results."
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