(Please note that a special telephone number has been set up for checking on the availability of extra bins. It has been noted in the story.)
By Alan Scafuri
The new Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority (WWRA) recycling bins will be here within the next couple of weeks, and distributed to residents who have placed orders for them.
WWRA would like to express its thanks for the patience of people waiting for the arrival of these new recycling bins.
There will not be another bin order until September, 2014, but a few extra bins were ordered and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Please contact [email protected] or call 475-6160 to see if any are still available.
Also, please be aware that residents can use any containers for recycling and the crews will pick them up. There are currently about 100 households that prefer to use their bins and did not receive one of the WWRA bins. It’s OK to do so.
The bins are a convenience provided by the WWRA and are not part of the operational assessment or the bond assessment which each household pays on their winter taxes that will start being collected on Dec. 1.
The fact that the assessments are paid does not ensure a bin will be coming soon, however. The 2013 WWRA budget included a line item expense for the number of bins that we felt we could afford, but because of high demand, the board spent 50 percent more than was budgeted. This is the reason there will be a long delay in ordering more bins.
So, by all means, if you don’t have a bin, haven’t ordered one yet, or missed out on one of the extras, use your own containers.
Recycling reduces the amount of material going into the orange city garbage bags, and it will save you money.
Product (cardboard, plastic, glass, newspaper, etc.) volumes are up almost 100 percent over the last three years, so residents should be proud of their environmental efforts. Keep up the good work, Chelsea, and let’s continue to grow the volume, and reduce the amount of trash that goes to the landfill.
