Recycling Program Starts in Manhattan Beach

Orange recycling bins have been distributed to about 15,000 Manhattan Beach residences in anticipation of a recycling program that starts Monday. Newspapers, plastic soft drink containers, glass, and aluminum and tin cans will be picked up for recycling on regular weekly trash collection days, according to David Ludwig, contract manager for the city Department of Public Services.

Ludwig said the city started the program to help relieve pressure on landfills by removing recyclable materials. He said residents now divert about 5% of their trash through recycling and the city hopes to increase the rate to 20%.

Residents will pay an additional 70 cents per month on their trash bills for recycling. But if the participation rate is 50%, which Ludwig said is expected, residents will get a credit of 50 cents per month at the end of the year.