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OGDEN — Curbside recycling services are once again back in Ogden nearly a year after they were halted due to a violation in the city code.
The Ogden City Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a conditional use permit extension for Recycled Earth, a recycling center in the city, under the requirement that it continues operations under the rules and regulations of the permit's code, according to city officials.
Recycled Earth will be allowed to receive and process recycled materials effective immediately, which means that that the city's curbside services will also resume.
"Recycling has always been a top priority for our administration and we're excited to bring that service back to our city," said Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell in a statement Thursday. "We have heard input from many of our residents and whole-heartedly agree that offering this curbside recycling service is the responsible choice for our environment and we hope to continue offering this service to residents for many years to come."
Ogden City suspended curbside recycling on March 3, 2020, after it found that its trucks were directed to dump loads outdoors, which was a violation of Recycling Earth's operating permit. City officials said last year that outdoor dumping could lead to "significant problems" for neighboring areas because it could lead to blowing debris, odors and attract seagulls.
The company's permit required them to conduct all dumping, sorting and baling indoors instead.
The city began to investigate "all available options" in August and the Ogden Planning Commission announced that it would discuss Recycled Earth's conditional use permit status last month.
The city also temporarily suspended its recycling program in March 2019 after a significant cost increase caused by a shift in the global recycling market.
With the announcement Thursday, Ogden Public Services issued a reminder for residents on what is and isn't allowed in their curbside pickup. Plastic bottles and milk jugs with the No. 1 or No. 2 symbols are allowed, as are steel and aluminum cans, unwaxed cardboard and clean paper.
The items not allowed in curbside bins include:
- Plastic bags, wrap or film
- Glass
- Shredded paper
- Waxy or gloss paper items
- Food waste
- Yard waste or grass
- Needles or medical waste
- Clothes or shoes
- Toys or oversized plastic items
- Batteries
- Diapers
- Plastic-lined mail pouches
- Containers with any liquid