Separated Glass Collection Service Starts July 1
Good news! Decatur residents can continue to include glass in their curbside recycling services. Due to new rules set by recycling facilities, glass for recycling must be placed in a separate bin, that you provide. The bin should be 18 gal. or smaller, but any type or color is acceptable. Paper, plastics, and metal can still be mixed together and placed in a separate bin for collection. The annual sanitation fee for the new fiscal year increased from $250 to $275 to cover the cost for separated glass collection services. You will see an adjustment of $25 on your second property tax installment for this year.
Over the past few months, Decatur Public Works staff has explored recycling options and gathered feedback from the community. All options, including sending glass to the landfill, involved an increase in the cost for providing recycling. An online survey developed with the assistance of the Environmental Sustainability Advisory Board collected more than 630 responses on this issue. More than 90% of respondents indicated they were willing to pay an additional $25 to $35 per year to continue curbside glass recycling services. And more than 76% of the respondents were willing to provide their own bins for separating glass to be recycled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do recycling facilities no longer want glass mixed in with other materials?
While a co-mingled recycling collection program provides many benefits, it has contributed to a system of poorly sorted recovered materials, with pieces of glass, plastic and metal being delivered in bales of fiber; the wrong types of fiber going to paper mills; and, plastics, glass, and other materials being delivered to incorrect product manufacturers.
Will the glass collected actually be recycled?
Yes. The glass collected from the separated residential curbside program will be sent to a recovery facility called Strategic Materials. They are a processor for recycled glass used in a wide array of products such as containers, fiberglass insulation, and countertops
I still have my old red glass-only recycling bin. Can I use that instead of getting a new bin?
Yes, we encourage you to use those bins if you have them. If you do not have a bin, you must provide your own separate bin to place at the curb on your regular collection day. The bin should be 18 gallons or smaller, but any type or color is acceptable.
How does this affect City of Decatur residents?
- Residents will need to place glass in a separate bin for curbside pickup on their regular collection days. These bins should be 18 gal. or smaller, but any type or color is acceptable.
- All other recyclable materials can continue to be placed together in a separate bin.
- The annual sanitation fee for the new fiscal year increased from $250 to $275 to cover the cost for separated glass collection services. Residents will see an adjustment of $25 on the second property tax installment bill sent later this year.
For More Information:
Visit decaturga.com/recycling for a complete list of the materials that are currently accepted. You may also call Decatur Public Works Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm, 404-377-5571.
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