City officials are happy that their goal to increase the participation in recycling among the residents is being attained. “We were confident there would be a significant increase in recycling, similar to what many local communities experienced when we rolled out the 64-gallon cans,” said Mayor Bob Stefanik.
Stefanik said that after meeting with members of the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, the data they shared indicated that once a city offers automated recycling, the amount recycling had gone up from 20-60%. He noted that the increase in recycling would bring the cost of the new program down to what the city is currently paying. Council President Larry Antoskiewicz said that some have gone up dramatically, such as Beachwood at 63% and Parma Heights at 134%. “I think the transition is well worth it,” he said. “It will be a test for full automation, plus it will save the city 15% in tipping fees.” Over the life of the contract, it could save the city about $120,000 if the recycling goes up 20%, $350,000 at 30%, said Antoskiewicz.
City Council accepted the bid of Rumpke Waste & Recycling Services last January, after Council reviewed several options for trash and recyclables. A resolution accepted the bid of Rumpke for waste and recycling services, as the lowest and best bid of for an amount not to exceed $7,707,045.45. The five-year contract was set to run from May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2022. The agreement also provided for two additional one-year terms. Basically, the new contract remained the same as the previous contract, except for the change in curbside recycling, which is automated.
Last spring, residents were invited to learn about the newly enhanced curbside recycling program during a community meeting. Rumpke Waste & Recycling provided all residents a 64-gallon recycling cart for the curbside recycling program. They delivered the carts in April on the regular pick up days. Residents then were asked to start utilizing the bins on their regular pick up day, starting the week of May 1.
When the program started, Stefanik said that residents would see no difference in pickup, other than the recycling bin will be placed instead of their own garbage cans. “They just have to make sure that the bin is positioned properly.” City officials remind residents to “combine the following items loose, not bagged, in the 64-gallon recycling cart, aluminum and steel cans, cartons, glass bottles and jars, cardboard and plastic containers. No need to separate!”
North Royalton Service Director Nick Cinquepalmi provided statistics from Rumpke on the tonnage that has been picked up for recycling. From May 1 through the end of October, 1,900.56 tons have been picked up, versus 843.25 tons last year for the same period.
“Our goal was, and is, that all residents participate in our curbside recycle program,” said Ward 4 Councilman, Paul Marnecheck. “Comparing May through September of 2017, City of North Royalton residents recycled 54% more at the curb than those months in 2016. We attribute the rise to the ease and increased capacity of the rollable carts. We hope the trend continues and residents continue to build good recycling habits!”
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer