Published: March 24, 2008 11:22 am            

Easier recycling

• Taking out the (not) trash

Earth day will mark a new beginning for recycling opportunities in Stillwater.

The City of Stillwater has been working to construct a manned recycling center at the recycling drop-off site at Perkins and Eighth. It will open April 22.

Stillwater has four drop-off recycling sites, but the new convenience collection center is set to offer improved service for collecting items that can be recycled, along with household hazardous materials. The most notable changes will be expansion of what is collected on a daily basis and manning of the site with city staff.

The Stillwater City Council was presented with details of the collection center in February and approved a revised rate structure at its last regular meeting. Not only will residents be able to recycle, but they will also be able to drop off municipal waste and large items.

The center will collect solid and liquid recyclables at no cost, along with green waste and automotive tires. Refuse containers up to 35 gallons will be collected for $1.50. The city is planning to offer bags that can be purchased for $1.50, filled and disposed of at the site.

Large furniture items can be disposed of for $15, and small items for $5. Large and small appliances will also be collected for the same fee, and electronic equipment will be collected for $5.

The resolution adopting the rate structure also states that rates will be examined at the beginning of each year and increased by 3 percent of the Consumer Price Index or by the most recent annual consumer price index for the south urban region. The rate that produces the smallest increase will be used.

Because of the rate structure approved, the site will be open to those from the city and county. Some funding possibilities exist for the center if it can account for regional needs. Partners and sites may be added in the future.

The collection center will be gated, and a new fence has been installed. The combination of security and staffing will help to curb the problem of contamination that has previously caused loads of recyclable to be taken to the dump. The new configuration will require traffic to flow one-way through the facility and exit onto Eighth Avenue.

The convenience collection center was pitched to the council Feb. 25, and Public Works Director Ralph Kinder said motivation for the center was increased opportunities for collection.

The council has approved equipment needed over the last year, including a roll-off container truck with a grapple arm. Allied Waste has also provided new containers with more storage.

What should also be provided to residents is increased piece of mind that the items they recycle will get recycled and not end up in the dump.

Allied Waste will maintain responsibility for the sites around town as dictated by its contract with the city for municipal waste disposal.

The city will continue to hold both the e-waste collection and household hazardous waste events that occur in spring and fall.

The e-waste collection event is scheduled for April 26.

        

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