Farmington residents start recycling Nov. 30

FARMINGTON — Most of the blue containers have been delivered — and some are already nearly full, awaiting pickup.

On Nov. 29, Farmington residents for the first time will take their blue cans to the curb for the next day's curbside recycling pickup.

Farmington is the latest city in Davis County to begin a curbside recycling program, following Woods Cross, Bountiful and Centerville. North Salt Lake and West Bountiful are currently discussing curbside recycling.

Like Centerville, Farmington's City Council allowed homeowners to opt out of the program during a one-month window between July and August. Anyone who moved into Farmington after Aug. 7 is automatically enrolled in the program.

Of the 4,500 homes eligible for curbside recycling, 3,850 homes are still in, said Max Forbush, Farmington's city manager.

The last batch of blue cans — with an information sheet explaining how to set the can out, the can's pickup day and what materials can and can't be recycled — is expected to be delivered by Thanksgiving.

Forbush said the City Council wanted to make the enrollment process fair and expects to consider some of the late opt-outs. About 15 of the 50 late opt-outs have been approved, he said. But nearly 30 homeowners have asked to opt in to the program, which costs $3.85 per month for two pickup days.

"So far, it's pretty positive," Forbush said, adding that the city is grateful that residents who wanted to opt out turned in their information.

Earlier in the year, Farmington surveyed residents about their opinions of a mandatory recycling program. About 60 percent of residents who responded to the survey were in favor of that program, but the City Council said it didn't want to force residents into recycling, Forbush said.

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