Infignos Media - City leaders consider another attempt at curbside recycling program in Anniston

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City leaders consider another attempt at curbside recycling program in Anniston

Friday, June 14, 2013

Tuesday’s city council meeting saw council members postpone a vote on whether to approve an agreement with Republic Services to bring a curbside recycling service to The Model City. The delayed vote does not necessarily mean the program will not be implemented.

Council member Millie Harris said by phone on Wednesday that her constituents in Ward 4 are concerned by the fact Anniston has no curbside recycling options. Harris said “if we want to be a progressive city, we need to behave like a progressive city.” She said that a recycling program used to be in Anniston, but the last effort not only lost money but also saw a widespread misuse of bins. One concern of the council is the fact that before Republic will agree to an Anniston program, at least 800 households must sign up for the program. The cost is expected to be an additional $5 per month for each household, something Harris believes might persuade residents not to take part.

The proposed recycling program would reportedly accept various types of paper along with plastic and cans. Glass would not be accepted. Bins would be provided for the households taking part to dispose of the items and Republic would actually sort the recyclables. “We cannot keep filling up landfills,” Harris said.

Surrounding areas already have recycling initiatives in place. Harris said Calhoun County and the city of Jacksonville have similar programs in place and Oxford is currently investigating the potential of curbside recycling. Jacksonville Mayor Johnny SMith said that city’s program is through Allied Waste and has been available to Jacksonville residents for over ten years.

Smith was on the city council when the program was started and said implementation was smooth. The city of Jacksonville pays the city’s water works to collect the recycling fee and then uses that money to pay Allied Waste. Small bins are currently provided for Jacksonville residents to recycle cardboard, some plastics and aluminum and Smith said new, larger bins will be distributed to residents sometime next month. The new bins will have wheels and he hopes that will make it easier for some elderly or disabled residents to participate in recycling. Smith also hopes the new bins will increase participation in the program. He estimates nearly half of Jacksonville residents take part in recycling and says that many support the recycling initiative.

Back in Anniston, Harris said that a Recycling and Sustainability committee will be established as part of Anniston’s strategic plan and be tasked with educating the public on the importance of recycling. That committee would also look at promoting other environmentally friendly practices such as composting for community gardens. Republic would also help with educating the public, but Harris said that an important part of implementing a recycling program in Anniston would be for city officials to make recycling easier for residents.

“The city has to set the example,” Harris said.

The Anniston city council will consider the recycling program and make a decision in the coming weeks.

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Keywords: Allied Waste,Republic Service,Anniston City Council member,Millie Harris,Jacksonville city council,Mayor Johnny Smith,recycling,curbside,

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