Though it is only a pilot program, some residents feel the service is long overdue. Officials say its success depends on greater public involvement.
By MEGAN SCOTT
Published September 6, 2003
DUNEDIN - No need to separate. Just throw it all in the bin.
That's what nearly 1,000 Dunedin residents will do when the city starts its pilot curbside recycling program on Jan. 1. For $2.50 a month, residents can recycle newspapers, plastic, aluminum cans and clear glass without lugging them to a recycling center.
"We're just trying to get people more involved with recycling," said Randy Rudd, director of solid waste. "Hopefully, this will be a way they can see the program works, and it'll pique interest."
The city has been working to start curbside recycling for the past couple of years. In March 2002, commissioners began accepting registrations to gauge interest in the program. It costs $5 to sign up, the cost of the bin. Their goal was 3,500 by Sept. 1, 2002. That deadline was extended until Sept. 1, 2003. Still, only 967 residents had signed up.
Commissioners approved $55,000 last month to fund the one-year curbside recycling pilot program, which includes one temporary employee, purchase of one used collection truck and operating expenses. Revenue from the user fees is expected to be about $29,000. The sale of the materials is expected to bring in about $9,000. The division would also save about $12,000 because of the diversion of the materials from the Pinellas County Waste to Energy Plant.
"I'm very hopeful that when other people see their neighbors getting it, they'll sign up," said Commissioner Deborah Kynes. "People are really passionate and adamant about having curbside recycling."
Dunedin resident Alan Bomstein was one of the first to sign up. He had stopped recycling last year. Fed up with transporting materials to the recycling center and overflowing bins, he figured, "If the city doesn't care enough, why should we keep taking this stuff to the recycling center?" he said.
He believes the service should be free.
"They shouldn't have to get anyone to sign up," he said. "It's a basic city service. It comes hand and hand with garbage collection in the 21st century."
Diane Wheatley-Giliotti would like to see recycling made mandatory. She moved to Dunedin from New Jersey four years ago and was shocked to find that recyling was optional.
"With the price of gas, if you do believe in recycling, you can spend $2.50 easily a month carting your newspapers and bottles," said Wheatley-Giliotti, chairwoman of the city's committee on environmental quality.
The program is a long time coming. Other North Pinellas cities, including Largo, Clearwater and Safety Harbor, have had curbside recycling for years. Clearwater has had its program since 1994 and Safety Harbor, since 1993.
Recycling isn't necessarily profitable, but the money from selling the recyclable materials does help offset some of the costs. Largo, which has a 40 percent participation rate, searches for the buyer offering the most money.
"We don't cover the expenses completely," said Chris Kubala, director of public works for Largo. "But some years we come very close."
The prices in each city also vary, with Clearwater charging $1.95 a month and Safety Harbor $1.12. Clearwater, which has a 60 percent participation rate, has lowered the rates twice since 1994.
"It's successful," said Bob Brumback, director of solid waste/general services for Clearwater. "It's a nice healthy, financially sound program."
Dunedin city officials are hoping their curbside recycling program will be just as successful. But first they need participation.
More than 25,000 fliers have been distributed promoting the program, along with ads on Dunedin 15, the city's television station. At the end of the pilot year, commissioners will reassess the program.
"We are optimistic," Wheatley-Giliotti said. "There have been efforts to recycle since the early 1970s. This is 2003. We are gratified that we're at least going to start a pilot program."
To recycle
To sign up for curbside recycling in Dunedin, call Solid Waste at 298-3215. The cost is $5 for the bin and $2.50 a month for collection. Service is scheduled to start on Jan. 1.
