BUENA PARK : Recycling Program Is Placed on Hold

Plans to implement a citywide recycling program were stalled Monday night after residents complained to the City Council about costs and lack of citizen input.

“I would like time to properly prepare a rebuttal,” said Herbert Wysard, owner of the Flower Tree Apartments on Knott Avenue. “I am upset about the cost.”

The plan calls for the city to contract with Park Disposal Inc. to process all city refuse. Unlike systems adopted by surrounding cities, including Anaheim, residents would not be required to separate recyclable and non-recyclable trash. Instead, Park Disposal would divide the trash and take it to a recycling facility. Under the proposal, residential refuse rates would go up 99 cents a month and commercial fees $11.41 per month.

After hearing testimony from residents, the council postponed a decision until its Nov. 5 meeting.

“It has been a subject of discussion for some time,” Mayor Don Bone told the residents. The council held a study session on the different proposals earlier this year, which was open to the public, Bone pointed out.

Director of Public Works Don Kemp said the proposal before the council was only a beginning step and was not set in stone.

“All it is is a recommendation to get the city into recycling,” he said. “It can change.”

Kemp said the proposal stems from a new state law that requires all cities to divert 25% of their solid waste from landfills by 1995, increasing to 50% by the year 2000. The proposed contract with Park Disposal would be the easiest way to comply with the new law and the most cost-efficient, Kemp said.