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Jed Boal ReportingSalt Lake City's recycling program may be doing a bit too well for its own good, but don't worry, the city has no intention of scrapping it, although the city may have to restructure billing in the next few years.
Three years ago the city switched from small recycling bins to 90-gallon bins, and the curbside recycling program took off. It's easy, free and voluntary. So, more than three-fourths of all city households combine to recycle 17-percent of the waste-stream.
Debbie Lyons, Recycling Coordinator: “The recycling program has made leaps and bounds since 2001."
Whatever we don't recycle ends up in the landfill--three thousand tons a day--so the aim is to recycle much more.
Lisa Romney, City Environmental Coordinator: “Recycling is a no-brainer. It saves energy, it saves natural resources, and saves our environment."
But the program creates a problem for the bottom line. As we recycle more and send less to the landfill, the city takes in less money as co-owner of the landfill. That landfill revenue pays for the recycling program.
Debbie Lyons, Recycling Coordinator: “The more that we recycle, the less landfill dividend we get. That dividend goes into our refuse fund and helps pay for our recycling program."
Even if the city goes with a recycling fee in the future, or your community already charges one, it makes more sense to put your recyclables in the blue bin than the green bin. Recycling extends the life of the landfill and that saves everyone money.
At some point the city will have to make up the lost revenue, using a combined fee for material collection.
Debbie Lyons, Recycling Coordinator: “You would pay one fee for all of your garbage, whether it's in your garbage can or recycling can. The city will be picking up any material you don't want at your home or on your property. So you'll be paying for that pick-up."
Some communities in the country actually divert 50-75 percent of their waste stream into recycling.
