BonnerSprings.com

It has been nearly four years since curbside recycling was first offered in Bonner Springs, but not everyone in the city is taking advantage of this “green” service.

Rita Hoag, city clerk, says recycling bins have been issued to about 60 percent of residential addresses. But the city would like to see the other 40 percent take part in recycling, and the hope is that America Recycles Day, which was Tuesday, serves as a reminder of how important it is to recycle.

The total charge for Bonner Springs residents’ trash pickup with Deffenbaugh Industries is now $12.10 per month, and about one-fourth of that charge is for recycling, Hoag said. All residents are charged the fee, whether they recycle or not. When the city first brought on the service, it promoted recycling with fliers and at city events, and Hoag would like to see a larger percentage of residents taking part.

For the first time, Mayor Clausie Smith proclaimed Tuesday as America Recycles Day in the city in the hope that it would help bring awareness to the issue.

There are other, free options for recycling that some may be using, including residents of apartment complexes, the Bonner Springs Estates mobile home park and Lake of the Forest, all of which are not included in curbside recycling. Paper recycling bins found at many schools and churches also raise funds for those organizations, and glass now can be taken to the Ripple Glass bin at the Bonner Springs Price Chopper.

Glass also can be taken to the recycling bins at the public works department, 12401 Kaw Dr., from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Bins are provided for aluminum cans, glass, newspaper, steel cans, plastic grocery bags and plastic bottles Nos. 1 through 7.

The public works recycling bins, which are collected by Deffenbaugh, seem to get a lot of use, Hoag said.

“I know that those bins are used frequently by Lake Forest residents and commercial businesses, since the recycling is only for residential,” she said.

There has been a push in Johnson County to promote recycling in order to reduce the amount of trash going into the Johnson County Landfill, operated by Deffenbaugh. The county has changed its solid waste plan and cities have changed ordinances concerning trash pick up, requiring an extra charge for trash over a certain amount but allowing for unlimited recycling.

Hoag said such a move in Wyandotte County isn’t likely to be made soon. The current contract through the Unified Government with Deffenbaugh allows for an unlimited amount of trash to be placed out.

However, Wyandotte County residents may be affected by one part of Johnson County’s “green” initiative.

As part of Johnson County’s solid waste plan, yard waste will not be accepted at the landfill beginning Jan. 1, 2012. In Johnson County, residents are being encouraged to have compost bins at their homes and other composting options are being explored. Hoag said to date, the city has no new information about how Deffenbaugh will handle yard waste pick up in Wyandotte County.

Anyone interested in obtaining a recycling bin can contact the city clerk’s office at 667-1720.

Comments