Just to keep everyone in the loop on the curbside recycle issue I have provided quotes for the reasons to support or oppose curbside recycling. These all affect the decision process.
Typical of Dixon, people have strong feelings on both sides and very few in the middle. Nine strongly oppose the heavy hand of government forcing them to participate and pay for something they oppose and will not use.
Twenty Eight strongly support the program and feel government should have implemented this long ago and that the amount is fair or even a bargain and will motivate more to recycle.
Two are not sure.
Can we make everyone happy, no. Will the desires of the many over shadow the few? Can we have a discussion and avoid the argument? Perhaps we can strike a balance; if more input and discussion can be drawn out of the public. This is done via emails to the council, letters to the editor and discussions with your neighbor.
The curbside recycle question was raised by the people of Dixon, not the government, and it will be up to the people of Dixon to resolve it, if they want government to implement it.
Good Luck.
“The public is paid the deposit for a can or bottle and someone else makes money on the value of the aluminum, etc. Our philosophy of government is to make people pay so that they will do what is right. In the process, government generates more revenue for itself.”
“MANDATORY RECYCLING IS VIOLENT, INEFFICIENT, DAMAGING TO THE ENVIRONMENT, AND HURTS KIDS! The recylcing scam is just that - it WASTES more resources than it recycles. You know that because the garbage company has to CHARGE us, instead of PAYING us for pickup. It wastes fuel, trucks, and workers - increases air and noise pollution. VOLUNTARY recycling is fine. People have two options now - bring it to the recycling center, or sign up with the Boy Scouts or other civic groups the MAKE MONEY by picking up re-cyclables once a month.”
“I prefer to stick to the simple reason of freedom of choice and continue to push the optional nature I have endorsed from the beginning.”
“My opinion is let it optional, if a customer wants it fine if they don't - great.”
“I see this as a scheme to get more money from Dixon residents.”
“You are pricing normal folks out of our city with your lousy management.”
“Once we start down the mandatory road of recycling we will see nothing, but less service at additional cost.”
“I don't need it or want it. If I can't opt out, then forget it. This is still the same idea that has been steadily rejected over the last 6 years. Remember, we have to defeat it every time out.”
“Why should I pay around $1.50 extra for something that we already do.”
“And you want us to pay them to make more money? You must be joking. What about households that do there own recycling now would they have to pay for a service they don't use?”
“That's just what every house needs is another ugly garbage bin in it's yard.”
“I am so excited to hear that the counsil is considering implementing CURBSIDE RECYCLING! I think it is a wonderful idea! I don't mind paying the $1.81 per month. I will be able to recycle so much more than what is accepted at the Dixon recycling center.”
“Think how many people would recycle if they did not have to collect, sort, and transport their recyclables across town.”
“Please support this move to protect our environment even more than you do already.”
“While I personally have been sorting and delivering material to the Recycling Center and it is "fun" to get a few bucks for the effort, I would prefer curbside service. My time and effort is much more valuable than the few dollars I receive. More importantly, there is no doubt that the amount of materiel I would recycle would be greater.”
“I have been a homeowner in the city of Dixon for close to 10 years. From the day I moved to this town, I have been disappointed that we didn't have the option to recycle.”
“We currently sort and save most of our recyclables and make occasional trips to haul it to the recycling center, usually without collecting money for it.”
“Please count our family of 4 (3 voters) as wholehearted supporters of the curbside recycling plan. Our appreciation to Dixon Sanitary Service for putting together the excellent information sheet and plan.”
“Please know that our household would fully support the program and we like the idea of the 96 gallon containers. 10% increase is well worth the convenience and the environmentally friendly program.”
“I am strongly in favor of recycling, and consider the cost of less than $2 a month as totally a bargain. I feel that as a community we owe it to our environment to make this small effort to handle our waste in a more responsible manner.”
“Currently I’m saving all the types of recyclables listed in your letter and lugging them over to the recycling center. I would be happy to pay for the curbside pick-up service that is being offered.”
“We have been sorting into various bins, and hauling our recycling to the yard for years, and it is a pain in the neck.”
“When we move from Vacavillle 5 years ago, we were very suprised to find no such curbside recycling program in such a progressive town. Therefore, we would gladly pay the 10.1% increase for the convenience.”
“I think this service is long overdue in this city and hope that the proposal is approved and implemented as soon as possible.”
“I'm pretty dedicated about recycling and I have to admit that sorting everything and hauling it to the recycling center is a nuisance. It's worth the extra cost to me to have it picked up at the curb.”
“Dixon is the only city in Solano County that does not provide its citizens with curbside recycling. Rio Vista with a population much smaller than Dixon has curbside recycling! It is long overdue.”
“Curbside recycling will promote this activity by all occupants of the city which will in turn reduce waste in our landfills, conserve our natural resources, reduce emissions by companies that process our natural resources, reduce air and water pollution and generally bring Dixon into a greener age.”
Links:
Home Page: California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
California Department of Conservation - Home
Beverage Container Recycling - Local Government Agencies & Curbside Program
Curbside Supplemental Payments
Beverage Container Recycling - Home