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Panel considers recycling option for those willing to pay

By CARRIE JOHNSON
Published August 4, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Citywide curbside recycling is off the table for at least another year, but City Council members said Wednesday they will explore allowing residents to subscribe to the service if they're willing to pay a higher fee.

The council's Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations committee also voted Wednesday to put a question on the 2006 ballot asking residents if they want curbside recycling.

Recycling advocates want a referendum on the ballot this November.

They called for a public hearing to discuss other recycling options besides a subscription service, which can cost as much as three times as citywide service.

"What they did today is nothing," said City Council member Bill Foster, who asked the committee to consider a 2005 referendum. "The same people who already recycle are going to continue recycling. This isn't going to create any increase in recycling or recycling awareness."

The council has struggled with the issue of curbside service for years.

In 2002, a council subcommittee conducted a survey to gauge support and found 88 percent of St. Petersburg residents would participate. But the number dropped to 40 percent when asked if they would pay for the service.

The committee members dropped the issue because it was unlikely recycling would pay for itself unless residents who didn't want to support it were forced to contribute.

The First Progressive Club of St. Petersburg brought the issue back to the council this year.

Council members first said they wouldn't take it up again, then changed their minds and referred it to the council subcommittee.

Under the council's plan, the city would solicit bids from private companies that offer curbside recycling only to residents who agree to pay for it.

Cost of a subscription would probably be $6 to $7 per month. A citywide service is estimated at $2 to $3 per month.

Committee members on Wednesday said they would not implement citywide service without the results of the 2006 referendum.

St. Petersburg is one of the few major cities in Florida that doesn't pick up recyclables, but it has six recycling collection centers throughout the city.

Several private businesses offer recycling, too.

Council subcommittee members said a subscription-based service would allow them to gauge support for curbside recycling before spending as much as $2.4-million for the new trucks required by a citywide program.

"A subscription says that you're willing to ante up and participate in the program," Bennett said.

But others said the high price would deter most people, who would rather go to a recycling center for free.

"If it's two or three bucks, that's not a bad deal," Foster said. "But if it's $5, I'm not going to subscribe."

Council member Jay Lasita, a longtime recycling advocate, expressed regret the subcommittee wouldn't move forward with a referendum this year. "I think this is an issue that has finally arrived," he said.

Ed Helm, president of the First Progressive Club of Pinellas and a candidate for mayor, said he was disappointed in the decision.

"There were many aspects of the discussion on recycling that were not heard," Helm said. "There seems to be a fear of hearing from the public."

Carrie Johnson can be reached at 727 892-2273 or cjohnson@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 4, 2005, 01:04:11]