Centerville residents favor voluntary recycling

CENTERVILLE — Centerville residents, even those who want curbside recycling, appear to be in favor of allowing their neighbors to opt out of a proposed recycling program that could begin in July.

At its second public hearing on the proposed program Tuesday, the Centerville City Council heard from residents who, for the most part, agreed that recycling would be a good thing for the city. But some residents didn't want to be forced into recycling. Others suggested that the city fund the implementation of recycling bins in a central location. And others suggested that the city change its regular garbage pickup schedule or order smaller cans.

Currently, the city's waste hauler, ACE Disposal, has committed to charge between $3 and $4 per household per month for a biweekly pickup of recyclable materials. The price variation depends on the number of households that would opt out of a curbside program.

In late 2007, the city informally surveyed residents and found that 60 percent of respondents would support any type of recycling program — mandatory, voluntary or self-hauling to a central location — that the city chose to implement, said Councilman Paul Cutler.

Following the public hearing, which was attended by 31 people, the council agreed to set up a subcommittee to bring back a formal proposal to the full council. Eventually, the city will ask residents to submit on paper a request to opt out of the recycling program.

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