Dive summary:
- Three recycling facilities in Maryville, Tenn. face problems of overflowing recycling bins stuffed with recyclables and even trash.
- Maryville City Council agreed to make drastic changes to curb the problem including limiting users to Maryville residents, cutting hours and closing one center.
- While some trash is being dumped in the containers, it is really more of a problem with the level of recyclables, the city is simply not able to collect and transfer the levels of material.
From the article:
Taylor said he hates to stop county residents recycling, but the city can’t afford the cost.
The centers are not moneymakers for the city, but the state mandated that waste going to landfills be reduced 25 percent, and there is a proposal to go up to 50 percent. “I think someday it will happen,” McClain said.
The recycling centers help meet the mandate.
Alcoa provides curbside recycling through blue containers picked up every two weeks and RecycleBank roll-out containers, which residents pay for and get discounts at area businesses for the pounds recycled. ...
