KALAMAZOO, MI -- This October, Kalamazoo residents will no longer have to sort recyclables at the curb.
Monday night, the City Commission approved a 10-year, $4.59 million contract for residential single stream recycling services with Republic Services of Kalamazoo. Twice a month, recyclables will be picked up from a 96-gallon container delivered to participating homes.
Collection day will remain the same, but on alternating weeks following the change. Garbage pickup will not be affected.
Recycling is currently offered weekly, but paper recyclables have to be separated from glass and metal. Director of Public Services James Baker said the change will save the city money and be more convenient for residents.
The previous dual stream contract was also with Republic Services of Kalamazoo. On average, the city will save $300,000 per year.
Each year, the city collects between 800-1,000 tons in recyclable materials. Baker expects the new system to increase this figure by 25 percent.
"You see quite often the amount of material recycled increases substantially with going single stream," Baker said. "It's a lot easier on the home owner and resident."
A 2015 survey showed strong support among participants. Of 391 residents who responded, 60 percent supported the conversion to single stream recycling.
Portage adopted a single stream recycling system through Best Way in 2015. Baker said Portage saw similar increases in participation among residents after the change.
"It's great news to see a program such as theirs working in that manner and the illicitness are able to recycle more," Baker said. "That speaks to sustainability in line with some of our goals and objectives."
Carts should be wheeled to the curb by 6 a.m. on the scheduled collection day, but no sooner than one day prior to collection. Recycling carts must be removed from the curb by 11 p.m. the day of collection.
Residents will need to request a cart to opt-in to the program. Each household will be notified of the upcoming changes and given instructions to request a cart by mail. Several mailings will be sent out in August.
Those who don't sign up simply won't receive the service.
City staff will be working with community groups to help raise awareness and encourage households to participate. An open house will be scheduled toward the end of August to answer questions and assist residents that may need help requesting a bin.
Opt-in information will also be sent to managers of registered rental properties. Owners or managers of multi-unit properties can also contact (269) 337-8215 for more information.
Tenants who want to participate should notify their property manager.
The city requests cart requests come in by Sept. 1. Delivery of recycling carts will begin on Sept. 18.
Residents are welcome to keep their existing bin or drop it off to Republic Services at 3432 Gembrit Circle. After the change takes place in October, recyclables placed out in bins will no longer be collected.
Residents are reminded to clean recyclables before placing them in the cart, and ensure that only recyclable materials are collected. Contamination of recycling can cause recyclable items to be taken to a landfill.
Bi-weekly collection will also lower the number of collection trucks needed on city streets. A city staff report states it will improve the appearance of the city by containing recyclables in a closed container.
People with a disability are able to contact the city to place their bins in the backyard instead of the curb.
Bids were opened on June 8, with Republic Services being the lowest bidder out of two responding companies. Funding for this contract will come from the city's solid waste budget.