Irvine : Curbside Recycling Experiment Approved

Beginning in September, 6,000 households throughout the city will be asked to separate their trash into colored plastic bins in a curbside recycling effort aimed at saving money and space in increasingly scarce landfills.

In a 4-1 vote, the City Council approved a plan for residents of Woodbridge, Turtle Rock, University Park, Camino Real and Walnut to put glass, aluminum and tin cans and paper in separate, stackable containers and set them out along with organic refuse on trash-collection day.

“We’re making it as simple for the people as we can,” said Katherine Obitz, the city’s manager of public services.

For the next six to eight months, trucks collecting the recycled material will follow regular trash trucks and take the material to four area recycling centers, Obitz said. The city and its contractor, Dewey’s Rubbish Service, will divide any fees paid for recycled materials beyond the estimated cost of collection.

Eventually, all 24,000 homes in the city will become a part of the program, she said. The success of the program depends on 40% participation by residents, whose monthly trash bills will rise from $5.24 to $6.11. A fee slightly higher than that could also result, she said.

If the plan attracts a citywide participation rate of 40% to 60%, Obitz said, it could reduce the city’s landfill needs by 10%. In San Jose, where a similar program was instituted, the participation rate is 70%, Obitz said, adding:

“We’re very pleased the City Council has taken this action. Irvine is the perfect community to make recycling work.”