Toledo May Save Curbside Recycling

Faced with a nearly $17 million deficit, the city proposed replacing its curbside recycling program with what officials believe to be a cheaper alternative: drop-off bins sited around the county.

The city voted in favor of a preliminary plan yesterday -- including curbside recycling -- to give them time to work on alternatives.

"It is our intention to work out something," said Jimmy Gaines, director of public services for the city. "We've already expressed that the city of Toledo cannot continue curbside recycling but we don't want to send a message to our citizens or Lucas County that we don't want to work something out."

The Bi-Weekly Curbside Recycling Program began citywide Jan. 1, 2001. Mr. Gaines said participation hovers around 17 percent - a number too low to warrant the $1.2 million needed to run the program.

The city only gets about $40,000 a year from the more than 4,000 tons of recyclables generated each year, said David Welch, the city's commissioner of solid waste.

Because state law requires cities like Toledo to offer recycling options, the city has proposed to turn the recycling over to the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District to maintain and operate 27 drop-off sites. The city estimates this program will cost about $400,000.

But before any changes can be made, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency must first approve an updated plan of the solid waste district - a process that is under way. The plan must be in place by March, said Jim Shaw, county sanitary engineer. And any change in the wording would require public hearings and cause the county to miss a deadline.

If the county is found in violation of the state EPA's deadline, the state agency may decide to write its own plan and impose it on the district, Mr. Shaw said. "Ultimately that could lead to a fine against the district," he warned.

Mr. Gaines said the city will continue to work with the county on the plan and that city council will have final say sometime within the next 90 days. - Toledo Blade