City residents support recycling options, but not fee increases
Brendan Hoover
A majority of residents who responded to a survey authorized by the Mustang City Council said they would participate in a weekly curbside recycling program if it were offered by the city, but would not support an additional fee increase on their monthly utility bill.
Finance Director Brenda Wright presented the results of the six-question recycling survey to the City Council during their regular meeting on Dec. 19.
The surveys were mailed to residents in utility bills that went out from Sept. 25 to Oct. 16. Wright said the survey results included responses received through Dec 4. The city received 1,219 completed or partially completed surveys.
Mustang residents most enthusiastically supported the question about curbside pickup service, as 73 percent, or 881 of 1,212 respondents, said they would participate in such a program if it were instituted.
However, if weekly curbside pickup required an additional fee between two and three dollars per month on utility bills, 64 percent, or 781 of 1,219 respondents, said they would not support such an increase.
Mustang already has a free recycling drop-off location, located at 520 S.W. 59th St. The facility is comprised of three recycling bins, one each for paper, cardboard and commingled products, such as plastic, tin, steel and glass.
The results of the survey indicated that 59 percent, or 710 of 1,212 respondents, said they would use the facility.
Brian Figgins of Mustang Recycles, an organization commissioned by the City Council to promote environmental efforts, reported that 208 drop-offs have been made to the site since its opening on Oct. 21.
The recycling facility is open from 9-11 a.m. every Saturday, except holiday weekends, including Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. Figgins said that Mustang High School has started an environmental club called ECO, and students from the club will join adult volunteers at the facility as usage grows.
Figgins said the survey results are very encouraging.
“It shows that we have a lot growth possible in the drop-off facility,” he said. “The last weekend (Dec. 16) we were open before the Christmas/New Year’s holiday, we had 40 customers, and the survey shows that another 670 households are willing to use a facility. We just need to get the word out.”
Figgins also said the survey showed strong support for curbside pickup, and that the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality had some suggestions to drive the potential cost down to under two dollars per customer per month.
“They suggested providing an additional poly cart instead of the small bin used in Oklahoma City and Edmond,” he said. “This would allow the collection of recyclables to be automated, similar to garbage collections, reduce the number of employees needed to collect it, and mean less frequent collection.”
The results of the survey reflected that 89 percent, or 1,090 of 1,218 respondents would not support a “pay as you throw” trash collection program, where the city only picks up specially marked bags that would be bought from local retailers for $12.50 for a box of 10.
The city currently collects up to five plastic bags under 20 pounds on weekly curbside pickup in addition to one green poly-cart, or two carts for a monthly fee of $8.98.
The survey also asked respondents if they would participate and deliver hazardous waste, such as used motor oil, paint, lacquer, varnish, and expired household chemicals, to a disposal site in Midwest City, as Mustang does not have its own facility. To this question, 67 percent, or 727 of 1,091 respondents said they would not participate in such a program.
Wright said that as it is hazardous waste is probably being put into the landfill the city utilizes.
City Manager David Cockrell expressed concerned that hazardous waste was being deposited into storm drains in Mustang.
According to the National Recycling Coalition, recycling results in a net reduction in ten major categories of air pollutants and eight major categories of water pollutants.
Every ton of newsprint or mixed paper recycled is the equivalent of 12 trees. Every ton of office paper recycled is the equivalent of 24 trees.
It takes 95 percent less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to make it from raw materials. Making recycled steel saves 60 percent, recycled newspaper 40 percent, recycled plastics 70 percent and recycled glass 40 percent.
The Mustang Recycles website address is http://members.cox.net/mustangrecycles.
Brendan Hoover
A majority of residents who responded to a survey authorized by the Mustang City Council said they would participate in a weekly curbside recycling program if it were offered by the city, but would not support an additional fee increase on their monthly utility bill.
Finance Director Brenda Wright presented the results of the six-question recycling survey to the City Council during their regular meeting on Dec. 19.
The surveys were mailed to residents in utility bills that went out from Sept. 25 to Oct. 16. Wright said the survey results included responses received through Dec 4. The city received 1,219 completed or partially completed surveys.
Mustang residents most enthusiastically supported the question about curbside pickup service, as 73 percent, or 881 of 1,212 respondents, said they would participate in such a program if it were instituted.
However, if weekly curbside pickup required an additional fee between two and three dollars per month on utility bills, 64 percent, or 781 of 1,219 respondents, said they would not support such an increase.
Mustang already has a free recycling drop-off location, located at 520 S.W. 59th St. The facility is comprised of three recycling bins, one each for paper, cardboard and commingled products, such as plastic, tin, steel and glass.
The results of the survey indicated that 59 percent, or 710 of 1,212 respondents, said they would use the facility.
Brian Figgins of Mustang Recycles, an organization commissioned by the City Council to promote environmental efforts, reported that 208 drop-offs have been made to the site since its opening on Oct. 21.
The recycling facility is open from 9-11 a.m. every Saturday, except holiday weekends, including Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. Figgins said that Mustang High School has started an environmental club called ECO, and students from the club will join adult volunteers at the facility as usage grows.
Figgins said the survey results are very encouraging.
“It shows that we have a lot growth possible in the drop-off facility,” he said. “The last weekend (Dec. 16) we were open before the Christmas/New Year’s holiday, we had 40 customers, and the survey shows that another 670 households are willing to use a facility. We just need to get the word out.”
Figgins also said the survey showed strong support for curbside pickup, and that the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality had some suggestions to drive the potential cost down to under two dollars per customer per month.
“They suggested providing an additional poly cart instead of the small bin used in Oklahoma City and Edmond,” he said. “This would allow the collection of recyclables to be automated, similar to garbage collections, reduce the number of employees needed to collect it, and mean less frequent collection.”
The results of the survey reflected that 89 percent, or 1,090 of 1,218 respondents would not support a “pay as you throw” trash collection program, where the city only picks up specially marked bags that would be bought from local retailers for $12.50 for a box of 10.
The city currently collects up to five plastic bags under 20 pounds on weekly curbside pickup in addition to one green poly-cart, or two carts for a monthly fee of $8.98.
The survey also asked respondents if they would participate and deliver hazardous waste, such as used motor oil, paint, lacquer, varnish, and expired household chemicals, to a disposal site in Midwest City, as Mustang does not have its own facility. To this question, 67 percent, or 727 of 1,091 respondents said they would not participate in such a program.
Wright said that as it is hazardous waste is probably being put into the landfill the city utilizes.
City Manager David Cockrell expressed concerned that hazardous waste was being deposited into storm drains in Mustang.
According to the National Recycling Coalition, recycling results in a net reduction in ten major categories of air pollutants and eight major categories of water pollutants.
Every ton of newsprint or mixed paper recycled is the equivalent of 12 trees. Every ton of office paper recycled is the equivalent of 24 trees.
It takes 95 percent less energy to recycle aluminum than it does to make it from raw materials. Making recycled steel saves 60 percent, recycled newspaper 40 percent, recycled plastics 70 percent and recycled glass 40 percent.
The Mustang Recycles website address is http://members.cox.net/mustangrecycles.
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