Will curbside recycling return to Chesapeake? City weighs options, noting success of new program
Months after curbside recycling services were terminated in Chesapeake, drawing the ire of many in the community, the City Council this week discussed the possibility of bringing them back.
City staff, however, say the new model of relying on the private sector to offer recycling services at a cost, plus providing city drop-off recycling sites, has been more successful than anticipated.
The city ended its curbside recycling program in June as a cost-saving measure to fund other priorities, such as pay raises for public safety workers. Before then, Chesapeake was the only city in Hampton Roads that didn’t charge for recycling services.
Vice Mayor John de Triquet attempted a last-minute vote to continue curbside services by charging residents a $15 fee and reducing the real estate tax rate, but it failed by a 5-4 vote.
Residents can visit one of the city’s seven public drop-off sites or pay for one of the four subscription-based services. The city estimates it has collected 245 tons of recyclables from its drop-off sites since July, and more than 3,000 residents are using subscription services, which range from $12 to $20 per month.
In a work session Tuesday with City Council members, City Manager Chris Price and Public Works Director Bob Sorey said the current options have resulted in a cleaner recycling system due to less trash contamination and a significant cut to the city’s operating costs, which are now coming in at roughly a third of the city’s previous recycling contract.
Between July and September, the city spent about $365,000 to maintain and operate drop-off sites and rent additional trucks, Sorey said. By contrast, the previous contract would have cost the city $1.1 million over the same period, Price said.
“Between the monitoring we’re doing at the drop-off sites and then the vigilance of the private, subscription-based services, we’re very confident that the recycling stream is much cleaner than it was with our previous curbside recycling service,” he said.
Councilwoman Ella Ward asked about options to restore curbside services. Price estimated it would cost $4.5 million annually to relaunch and then continue providing those services. And since little to no revenue is generated to support the costs, Price said a return to curbside would require new taxes and fees, cuts to other services or a combination of both.
He added that the city would need to request proposals for contracts and allow time to return to curbside recycling if the council decides to do so again.
Price also said the city continues to monitor regional and national trends in the industry as well as solicit additional recycling vendors.
The city will host a community forum called “The State of Recycling,” from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at ForKids Inc. Local environmental groups and organizations such as Chesapeake Recycles, will participate in a panel discussion with residents to discuss recycling services.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
