Dickinson, North Dakota, considers curbside recycling

The Dickinson (North Dakota) Press reports the Dickinson City Commission is considering a proposal by Sanitation Manager Aaron Praus and Public Works Director Gary Zuroff to initiate a curbside recycling program. 

“This is a really exciting project,” City Commissioner Sarah Jennings said at a city commission meeting Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. “Look at all the other communities in North Dakota that have done this. It’s very successful. It changes people’s lives, and we need to look at that.” 

The city is also considering expanding recycling to include a single-stream system. In 2010, the city’s now discontinued recycling committee decided the city could only recycle paper and cardboard, which are the easiest materials to bale and ship out to recycling mills, the article says.

“Advantages to single-stream recycling and curbside collection is less municipal solid waste going into the landfill, which saves space,” Zuroff said at the meeting, according to the article. “It can increase the life of the landfill. You might not see savings right away but long term. You’re going to get long-term savings.”

Zuroff also noted the program would cost residents $5 to $7 per month, the article says.