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SALT LAKE CITY -- Mayor Ralph Becker and the Salt Lake City Council have set a goal to recycle 50 percent of the city's waste over the next five years. In order to do that, the city is proposing its voluntary yard waste program become mandatory.
- City-wide, year-round yard waste (no separate fee)
- Leaves collected in yard waste container, no separate collection or bag distribution
- Christmas trees collected in yard waste container, no separate collection
- Approximately 20 more glass drop-off sites throughout the city
- Larger neighborhood presence/increased enforcement and education
If Salt Lake City residents continue to dispose of waste at the same rate they are now, the landfill on California Avenue will be full in 50 years. City officials say with this new proposal, the landfill will last a lot longer and residents will save more money in the long run.
On any given street in Salt Lake City, you will likely see two types of plastic cans -- a green one for general waste and a blue one for recycling.
But soon you could see one more in the mix.
"What we're proposing is to take that citywide and give yard waste containers to every resident and give everyone the ability to participate in that program," says Debbie Lyons, Salt Lake's recycling program manager.
If the new waste and recycling proposal goes though, Salt Lake City residents will see an increase in their monthly garbage fee starting in July.
Those already participating in the voluntary yard waste program will see an increase of $1.25 a month. Those not already participating will pay the $1.25 increase, plus another $3.50 for the program. The green waste, which would include raw fruits and vegetables, would be turned into compost.
"Everybody's fees, regardless if the plan is implemented or not, will be going up next year," Lyons says.
By making the yard waste recycling program mandatory, 42 percent of the city's waste will be diverted from the landfill over the next five years. Currently, it diverts 19 percent. It's not meeting the city's 50 percent goal, but it will be a major step in the right direction.
"The landfill is projected to close in 50 years, and when that closes, our alternatives for disposing of waste becomes much more costly and more environmentally detrimental," Lyons says.
12:00 - 2:00 PM
Salt Lake City & County Bldg., Room 148
451 South State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah
The proposal also includes 20 more glass drop off sites through out the city. Right now, there are only three.
"We're seeing a lot of traffic at those sites. We're hearing a lot of feedback from our residents that they want to recycle their glass and have more convenient options," says Lyons.
Some people who came to the latest open house say they don't mind the extra fees. One woman said, "I think paying for public services is part of living in the city."
But city officials know not everyone is going use the glass drop off locations, or even want an extra can for yard waste. "We expect that some people will say they don't need it. Either they don't have big yards [or] they have very little yard waste generated in their yards or they have yard waste services," Lyons says.
There will be an option to opt of the extra can, but regardless, you will still have to pay the fee.
"They can opt out of having the yard waste can, if they don't have room or they don't need it. But we would not allow compostable waste to go into the city-issued garbage can," says Lyons.
The city is in the process of taking public comment about the proposal. The next meeting is scheduled for March 4. You can also submit comments or concerns though an online questionnaire.
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Story compiled with contributions from Shara Park and Paul Nelson.
