Simplification Boosts Recycling Program

Household recycling has more than doubled since a program began in September that allows residents to mix their trash in one container rather than separate it, city officials say.

The first statistics available since the new system was implemented show that citywide recycling has increased to 40% in November from 18% in August, city administrator JoAnn Corey said.

“We are really pleased,” she said. “We hadn’t even thought of these kind of numbers. The response . . . has surprised even us.”

After receiving bids from several waste firms, the city chose BFI Industries, which started operations in Mission Viejo last September. The city required the winning bidder to implement an automated collection system for both recyclables and trash.

Recyclables can now be tossed into one container instead of three bins, as before. New types of waste materials, such as lawn clippings and different grades of plastics, can now be recycled.

State law required municipalities to divert 25% of their landfill trash into recycling by 1995 in order to avoid stiff penalties. However, a moratorium on complying with the recycling mandate has kept fines from being levied.