Pasco Eyeing Recycling Program Changes
A few proposed tweaks to the existing program are hoped to increase participation.
Ask most Land O’ Lakes residents when their trash hauler picks up recyclables and it’s likely they’ll get a blank look on their faces.
That’s a problem Pasco County is hoping to tackle in the near future. The county is eyeing changes to its blue bag recycling program that would make it easier for residents to get their plastic, glass and aluminum recyclables out to the curb.
A proposal is under consideration that would enable residents to forego buying those costly blue bags in favor of designating their own cans for recyclable items.
The move, officials say, could help improve participation in the voluntary recycling program.
Recycling is Low Right Now
Participation in the county’s voluntary recycling program is less than ideal, officials say.
Jennifer Seney, the county’s recycling coordinator, says it’s tricky to track the numbers though.
“Of all the single family, residential trash produced in this county only 4% is recycled. However, another number indicates that up to 23-24% of those units serviced by our haulers participate in the curbside program. That might seem like a contradiction, but what it says is that those people who are recycling are not recycling very much.”
Obstacles to Recycling
Right now the county’s contracted trash haulers pick up recyclable items once every two weeks. Schedules vary based on the hauler, which can make it confusing for residents to remember their days. Regular garbage is collected twice weekly.
The county’s trash haulers currently pick up recyclable items that are placed at the curb in blue bags. This practice alone is a barrier to participation, Seney said.
“Blue bags have to be purchased,” Seney said. “People don’t like that.”
The changes championed by Commissioner Henry Wilson would enable residents to use any container of their choosing for recycling. All they would need to do is put a special sticker on the container, according to The Suncoast News. Residents, of course, could continue to use blue bags if they wanted to.
The county’s haulers may also soon accept a wider variety of recyclables. Right now they only take No. 1 and No. 2 plastic, bimetal food cans, green, brown and clear glass bottles and aluminum. The proposed changes would expand the types of plastic accepted to include Nos. 1 through 5 and 7, The Suncoast News reported.
Convenience is Key
By expanding the type of recyclables allowed and the method for pickup, Seney hopes participation will rise.
“It’s been proven over and over that convenience is the key,” she said. “If it isn’t convenient, people won’t recycle.”
It remains unclear how soon the proposed changes might be enacted. Seney said the county is still talking with its trash haulers and working to nail down costs.
What do you think about the county’s blue bag program? Do you participate? Would you participate if you didn’t have to buy blue trash bags to recycle? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Kathy Phillips
9:28 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I do recycle with the blue bags but they are hard to find and a little costly! Being able to use my own container would be great!! Maybe others, who currently don't recycle, would start!!
Alex Campoe
9:28 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
I am not so sure the sticker idea will make that much of a difference. At our household the biggest problem when our pick up changed scheduled times. When they picked up the same day as trash collection, no problem. Now it is hard to remember.
Chuck R
9:28 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Not to sound holier than thou, but it is disappointing to put my blue bags out every 2 weeks and see that of the 30 houses on my street, there are only two of us that recycle. Some folks question the value of recycling. However, I can tell you this much; it's better than not recycling.
It is GREAT to hear we'll be able to recycle plastics higher than number 2! Also note that it's easy to recycle paper. I've heard there is a paper bin at every fire station. I recycle at the library on Collier Pkwy.
I think a lot of people throw stuff in the trash that should definitely not go in the landfill. It would be great if the garbage collection companies had a special day every month for toxic garbage pickup. I'd pay extra for this, although I'm not naive enough to think that everyone would.
The goal is to throw as little in the garbage as possible. This includes taking packaging into account when you buy things.
Bill
1:03 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Although we do it, Pasco's recycling program, in a word, sucks! Getting the blue bags is a pain, but worse is the schedule. We go through a lot of recyclables, and it sucks having trash piling up for two weeks! And god forbid you miss that day, then you have a month's worth of trash sitting around. The best step they could take would be increasing pickup to at least once a week.
Teresa Harvison
1:03 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Saw that Hillsborough county is providing larger green cans for their residents to recycyle. I wish Pasco would do the same. We recycle and the blue bags add up quick to store in the garage waiting for pickup every 2 weeks. Then add the expense of the hard to find blue bags. It is becoming a hassle to recycle.
Linda Holliday
1:03 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
We do the blue bag recycling in our house and on a street with 18 houses ther are only 3 people that recycle. I have recycled for years as long as there was a way to do it. I can't believe that people don't. It would be nice to see some of the money obtained from the recycle program go back into the community. Using a provided container would be great!
Art Garrity
1:03 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
I went to Sears & purchased Blue recycle boxs 1 for paper 1 for cans . This is a 1 time purchase and it works out great,
Nancy Mavor
11:53 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
I do recycle but if you miss the week then it is a month you are waiting. Can the day be changed to coincide with garbage day?When will we be able to recycle paper without having to take it somewhere ourselves?
PatriciaMurphy
5:49 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
I am so excited about this new program. We throw away so much plastic and the new program will accept almost all of it. As far as the complaints about the bags, well, I have to buy garbage bags and I don't hear anyone complaining about that. Ultimately it's still garbage. I do wish they would pick up more often but I understand the recycling program barely pays for itself. I'm glad we aren't charged an additional fee for recycling.