Cleveland Launches Automated Waste Collection, Curbside Recycling Program | Environment

CLEVELAND, OH - Starting today, September 6th, Cleveland will officially launch its Automated Waste Collection and Curbside Recycling Program.

Twenty-five thousand households in selected areas (click HERE for a map) will receive wheeled waste collection carts; a 95-gallon black cart for garbage and a 65-gallon blue cart for recyclables. Seniors, disabled residents and households of three persons or less can request 48-gallon black and blue carts. All carts are compatible with the City's new automated trash collection trucks and will be provided free of charge. The new carts will be delivered on regularly scheduled waste collection days.

Residents will be required to place glass, plastic, metal cans, cardboard and mixed paper items into their blue recycle bins; place remaining waste materials into the black bins and roll both carts to the curbside on their regularly scheduled waste collection days. The recycling carts contain computer chips to monitor the volume of recyclables. Failure to properly sort waste into recyclables, consistent failure to set out recycling bins and under-utilizing the recycling bins will result in a $100 fine. A citizen's information fair will be held at Cleveland City Hall on September 6, 2011 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to commemorate the launch and provide additional details.

"This program benefits all involved," says Ronnie Owens, Commissioner, Cleveland Division of Waste. "The City gains revenue from recyclables which helps the bottom line, workers experience fewer injuries because of the automated process, citizens receive new wheeled carts at no cost and Cleveland raises its profile as an environmentally friendly city." The cost savings and revenue from the City's commercial and residential recycling programs are expected to generate more than $1 million in 2011. Piloted in October 2007 with fifteen thousand households, the program will grow over the next four years to include all City of Cleveland households.

For more information, call the Recycling Hotline at (216)664-3717.