Twice-weekly trash collection seen as wasteful

Changes are in store next week for every homeowner and renter in the city of Sarasota starting in September.

Garbage collection will be reduced to one day per week, and for many customers their collection day will be different than it previously was (download a map here).

The city will save about $700,000 due to the reduced collection service.

The solid-waste department conducted a study that showed only 64% of residents put their trash carts out on both collection days. And, of those customers, only 2% had a full cart on both days.

For any residents who feel they need a second cart, the carts will be available for $10 per month.
Customers will also see a change in the collection of their recyclables. Many more types of plastics will now be accepted.

The current system only allows the collection of types 1 and 2 plastics. But the new system will accept types 1 through 7 (see below).

Trash, recycling and yard waste will all be collected on the same day.

The city has been conducting a comprehensive campaign during the past month to make sure every resident is informed of the changes.

Two separate direct mail flyers were sent out, and trash collectors placed stickers on trash carts last week to let people know which day will be their collection day.

Solid-waste officials say the new service plan will not only save money, but will also be more energy efficient.

The city estimates more than 3,700 gallons of fuel will be saved each year, and carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 40 tons annually.

Residential bills will also be reduced, by $3 per month.

Call 365-7651 for more information.

RECYCLING RULES
There are seven different types of recyclable plastics. Most plastic containers and products display a symbol to show what type of plastic it is. Look for a triangle of arrows with a number inside of it. That number is the type of plastic the container is. The guide below shows some of the products associated with each plastic type.

Types and examples
1. Beverage bottles, peanut butter containers, ketchup and salad-dressing containers and frozen meal food trays
2. Milk, juice, water, shampoo and dish- and laundry-detergent bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, cereal-box liners and shopping and trash bags
3. Clear food and non-food packaging, medical tubing and construction products
4. Dry cleaning, bread and frozen-food bags and squeezable bottles
5. Ketchup bottles, yogurt and margarine containers and medicine bottles
6. Compact-disc jackets, egg cartons, aspirin bottles, cups, plates and cutlery
7. Three- and five-gallon reusable water bottles, sunglasses, DVDs, iPod and computer cases and nylon