Cincinnatians are recycling more than ever.
The city’s residents recycled more than 18,000 tons last year – 31 percent more than in 2010. That’s the biggest increase since the city started recycling in 1989, and it meant almost $1 million more for the city’s struggling operating fund.
Last year was the first full year for people to use the 64-gallon carts to wheel their recyclables to the curb every other week. The carts were controversial when the city bought them – council Republicans objected to spending the $3.8 million – but now 70 percent of city households are filling them with recyclables every other week.
Sheryl Pockrose of Covedale recycles more because she no longer has to spend a lot of time trying to break down bigger recyclables to get them to fit, as she did with the previous small bin.
“Now, usually if I take all the tape off a box and fold it down, it’ll fit,” she said. “I don’t have to cut them up anymore.”
That’s the main thing behind the 64-gallon carts, said Larry Falkin, director of the city’s Office of Environmental Quality: They’re easier.
The nearly $1 million for the city comes from unspent landfill dumping fees, recycling incentives and revenue sharing with Rumpke.
Source: Cincinnati.com
By Jane Prendergast