Dive summary:

• Salem, Mass. Mayor Kim Driscoll has submitted a proposed city ordinance to mandate recycling in Salem.
• If passed, the law would take effect July 1 and residents would be required to take their recycling bins to the curb along with their trash bins.
• The move to mandated recycling would qualify Salem for a $50,000 state grant, which would be used to create a “recycling coordinator” position to encourage and educate residents about recycling programs.

From the article:

“Our approach is not to be punitive,” Driscoll said. “The idea is to encourage people to find new ways (to recycle). ... I’m really trying to stress that it’s not punitive.”

The proposed ordinance would require residents to recycle items already mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection — glass, cardboard, bottles and cans, etc.

The issue is not linked to the city’s new trash and recycling contracts, which Driscoll sent to the City Council last week. ...