Cedar Hills to get curbside recycling

CEDAR HILLS — Curbside recycling service is coming to Cedar Hills — and Mayor Mike McGee plans to be first in line.

"I'm going to set the example and be the first to subscribe," McGee said.

The Cedar Hills City Council last week decided to enter into a contract with Waste Management of Utah for residents to receive citywide recycling service on a voluntary basis.

The service is expected to begin in April and will cost participating Cedar Hills residents between $4.50 and $5 per month, based on the number of subscriptions.

The Cedar Hills City Council declined to participate in citywide recycling service with Waste Management a year ago because that contract would have required citywide service of residents at a cost of $3.40 per household.

That same contract for mandatory citywide service was on the table again Tuesday night but was rejected for a subscription program on a three-tier pricing schedule.

"I didn't want to make it mandatory," McGee said. "I don't think there's a lot of support for that."

Instead, residents will be able to decide whether they want to pay for curbside recycling service. Information about the program and directions on how to sign up will be mailed to residents in upcoming city utility bills, said Konrad Hildebrandt, city manager.

Waste Management will cover the cost to provide the blue, 96-gallon recycling containers, in which residents will be able to mix together all recyclable materials of paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and aluminium cans. The recyclables will be collected every other week on regular garbage pickup days — Mondays and Fridays in Cedar Hills.

"The reason we're offering this recycling program is we feel it's the right thing to do to help protect our environment, to help protect our natural resources," said Greg Walkenhorst, public sector manager for Waste Management.

In addition to the environmental benefits, Cedar Hills can expect to save money for waste disposal, which is based on weight, Walkenhorst said.

"You'll probably see a savings of about $1,000 a month," he told the City Council.

A minimum of 300 subscribers are required for the service to begin at a cost of $5 per household. That cost drops to $4.75 with 750 subscribers and $4.50 if 1,100 households participate.