Toledo May Eliminate Curbside Recycling

Toledo residents who put aluminum cans, bottles, and newspapers in bins at the end of their driveways may have to haul the trash away themselves if they want to continue recycling.

To save money, officials are considering ending the citywide curbside recycling program. It could be replaced with additional drop-off recycling sites around the city, putting more responsibility on residents to keep glass, plastic, and paper out of landfills.

"We are by no means trying to eliminate the program for the residents," said Jimmy Gaines, the city's director of public services. "The drop-off locations have grown. That has grown while curbside has stayed stagnant."

The Bi-Weekly Curbside Recycling Program began Jan. 2, 2001, when stickers with the program's recycling logo were distributed to the city's 114,000 households. Under the program, residents store recyclables in bins for bi-weekly collection.

The city bought six trucks and reassigned 12 employees for the program. At the time, about 17 percent of Toledo's households used curbside recycling, said David Welch, the city's commissioner of solid waste.

Today, the number is about the same.

In response, Toledo officials are examining how to make the $1.2 million program more cost effective. The city has considered retaining curbside recycling while working with a consultant to increase participation, Welch said.

But the city also is considering ending the program.

In a Sept. 23 letter to the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District, Mr. Gaines wrote that the city is proposing turning the recycling program over to the district to maintain and operate 27 drop-off sites - a number that would allow 90 percent of city residents to have access to recycling.

He added that the city estimates the total cost of the program to drop to about $400,000 - a figure district officials believe should be closer to $800,000.

A part of the proposal would allow curbside recycling to continue for residents who are willing to subscribe, and subsequently pay, for it.

But before any changes can be made, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency must first approve an update to the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District's plan - a process that is under way.

"The Lucas County Solid Waste District Plan will be expiring in May of next year," Welch said. "Because we're in the renewal time frame, that's why we're looking at this."

The city is hoping the Ohio EPA will grant it more time to consider the options.

In Ohio, about 480 cities, villages, and townships offer curbside recycling, according to the Ohio EPA. In Lucas County, curbside recycling is provided in the cities of Maumee, Oregon, and Sylvania, and in the villages of Holland, Ottawa Hills, Waterville, and Whitehouse.

Toledo City Councilman Peter Gerken, chairman of the council's environment, utilities, and public service committee, said he has been disappointed with the level of participation in the recycling program.

Gerken pointed out that the city is facing a $14 million budget deficit, and all programs and services have to be re-evaluated, especially those that are not considered successful.

"I don't think anyone has the final answer," he said.