The City of Decatur send around this notice early this week to inform residents that starting next Friday, July 1st, we will need to separate our glass recycling from all other trash and recycling to get it recycled.

The message on the back is similar to the one posted on the city’s recycling page…

Separated glass collection services begin July 1, 2016.

New rules set by recycling facilities dictate that glass must be collected separately from other recyclables. Decatur residents will need two bins – one bin for glass only, and one for paper, plastics and metal. Residents will be responsible for providing the second bin, and there are no stipulations regarding type or color, though it should be 18 gallons or smaller. Your recycling will be picked up the same day as your garbage. See the City of Decatur single family residential waste collection schedule here.

The note on the reverse of the card also points out that the annual sanitation fee for the new fiscal year has increased from $250 to $275 to cover the cost for separated glass recycling.

The city has wrestled with what to do about glass recycling since early this year, as industry demand for recycled glass has declined and recyclers are now often refusing to accept it.   The city asked residents what they wanted to do and via an online city survey and 90% of respondents were willing to pay $25 to $35 more a year to recycle glass.

So that’s what’s happening.

Finally, will the glass actually be recycled?  According to the city’s glass recycling FAQ – YES.

Yes. The glass collected from the separated residential curbside program will be sent to a recovery facility called Strategic Materials. They are a processor for recycled glass used in a wide array of products such as containers, fiberglass insulation, and countertops

Yesterday, the city’s Resource Conservation Coordinator Lena Stevens asked for resident feedback on future glass recycling options on The Decatur Minute.  (Need to get caught up on this issue? We’ve summarized it a couple of weeks back HERE.)

First, here’s the current situation, as summarized by Ms. Stevens…

Current Recycling Program
Cost: Annual Sanitation Fee $250

• The Annual Solid Waste Fee covers the cost of offering co-mingled curbside residential recycling service in addition to household trash and waste, yard debris and other sanitation services.

• Glass is mixed in with other recyclables and collected at the curb. This will no longer be an option after June 30, 2016

And here are our future options…

Option 1- Continue to Offer Residents the Convenience of Recycling Glass at Home by Separating Glass from Other Materials
Cost: Annual Increase of $25-$35

• Resident separates glass from other recyclables and places it on the curb in its own container during normal collection day.

Option 2- Glass is Not Recycled and Goes to Landfill
Cost: Annual Increase of $10-15

• Resident places glass in pay-as-you-throw garbage bags and the City of Decatur takes it to the landfill.

• Currently glass makes up about 20% of most residents’ recycling.

• Cost estimate includes $5 increase in Annual Solid Waste Fee and cost to the resident for purchase of additional pay-as-you-throw bags.

The city would like you to provide your feedback on which option you prefer over on Open City Hall.  Go and let your opinion be heard!