Description
This is a picture of my neighbor's recycling can today after it was picked up. I understand that glass is picked up separately and that my neighbor may not realize this, but this does not seem like a logical place to put the glass. It should be placed on the grass or yard instead, laying down, so that it will not roll into the street and break.
I have seen a number of people post similar things, and I have a few suggestions. First, staff should have a pile of flyers with info on glass collection (could also include info on other issues that happen besides this) and should leave it at any houses where this is done, to ensure that residents understand. Second, if they notice that there is glass in the bin before they tip it, they should not collect the recycling that week - simply leave it, along with the flyer. Third, come up with a policy for what to do when glass is noticed after tipping the bin. If you have flyers, then I dont see any reason why you couldnt just put the glass back into the same bin. The resident will then know why it happened, whereas if you did that today, they'd be more likely to just be confused.
I really appreciate our city workers and certainly imagine that their job is not always easy, and I think for this issue, the city needs to help come up with a solution to make things better for them and for residents.
7 Comments
City of Decatur - P Merriss (Registered User)
City of Decatur- M Roark (Verified Official)
Acknowledged City of Decatur- M Roark (Verified Official)
Shawn (Registered User)
Closed Decatur Public Works - S Woodson (Verified Official)
Good Afternoon, and thanks for your input on the glass recycling and the collectors placement of glass that was mixed in with the other recyclables. When the City of Decatur Sanitation Department began collecting the recycling services in July 2018 after taking the contract over from the previous collectors we had noticed that there was a large number of residents still mixing their glass in with the regular recyclables such as cardboard, plastics, aluminum and tin cans etc.
In July 1, 2017 we started a strong campaign to educate residents to inform them that glass should be placed in a separate container by it's self and not it would contaminate the load of recyclables and not be accepted at our local Recycling Materials Facility.
So the City of Decatur Sanitation Department, placed information in the Decatur Focus on the City's website also mailing out a post card to all single-family homes in the City explaining that residents can use any type of container that they choose to place their glass materials in and place at the curb separate from all other recyclable materials for collection. The Sanitation Department has since purchased RED Bins for residents to use with Glass Recycling on the side clearly showing that these bins are for Glass Bottles Only. If any resident would like to receive a Red Glass Bin just call us at (404) 377-5571 and request a bin and we will deliver one within 7 business days.
We have left notices with residents, we have knock on the doors and spoke the residents personally reminding that glass needs to be separated at all times. We still find ourselves emptying bins and finding glass contaminates mixed in with other co-mingled recyclables. So we are continuing to make efforts to reach and educate residents that have not yet got an understanding of recycling in our community.
I wanted to answer your question or statement about the collector placing the glass that was contaminating the recyclables in container that shown in the picture you sent.
The reason for this practice is that the co-mingled collection vehicle has come through before the Glass collection vehicle so it is placed in clear sight so we make sure we get every bit of recyclable items collected and taken to the right facilities without any or minimal contamination.
We will continue to work together to make our Recycling Program a Success.
Decatur Public Works - S Woodson (Verified Official)
Good Afternoon, and thanks for your input on the glass recycling and the collectors placement of glass that was mixed in with the other recyclables. When the City of Decatur Sanitation Department began collecting the recycling services in July 2018 after taking the contract over from the previous collectors we had noticed that there was a large number of residents still mixing their glass in with the regular recyclables such as cardboard, plastics, aluminum and tin cans etc.
In July 1, 2017 we started a strong campaign to educate residents to inform them that glass should be placed in a separate container by it's self and not it would contaminate the load of recyclables and not be accepted at our local Recycling Materials Facility.
So the City of Decatur Sanitation Department, placed information in the Decatur Focus on the City's website also mailing out a post card to all single-family homes in the City explaining that residents can use any type of container that they choose to place their glass materials in and place at the curb separate from all other recyclable materials for collection. The Sanitation Department has since purchased RED Bins for residents to use with Glass Recycling on the side clearly showing that these bins are for Glass Bottles Only. If any resident would like to receive a Red Glass Bin just call us at (404) 377-5571 and request a bin and we will deliver one within 7 business days.
We have left notices with residents, we have knock on the doors and spoke the residents personally reminding that glass needs to be separated at all times. We still find ourselves emptying bins and finding glass contaminates mixed in with other co-mingled recyclables. So we are continuing to make efforts to reach and educate residents that have not yet got an understanding of recycling in our community.
I wanted to answer your question or statement about the collector placing the glass that was contaminating the recyclables in container that shown in the picture you sent.
The reason for this practice is that the co-mingled collection vehicle has come through before the Glass collection vehicle so it is placed in clear sight so we make sure we get every bit of recyclable items collected and taken to the right facilities without any or minimal contamination.
We will continue to work together to make our Recycling Program a Success.
Shawn (Registered User)