Changes in recycling program underway

Crystal Springs residents will see some changes in their trash pickup effective January 1. Early in December aldermen voted to discontinue weekly curbside recycling pickup because of the cost involved. Other than recycling, garbage pickup will continue with no changes, and according to Mayor Sally Garland, plans are being made to continue a recycling program in the city. Officials intend to offer once a month pickup of recyclables and will determine how that is going to work and which week it will be done as soon as possible. Until those decisions are made, Garland encourages citizens to stay in the habit of recycling by taking their recyclables to a collection spot. There is a recycle station behind the public works department at 306 Harmony Road. To help with finding the location for those who remember, the building has previously served as a health department office and a dentist office. Once the details of the recycling program have been worked out, city workers will handle the pickup. Waste Management will continue twice a week garbage pickup in town. The city will continue to offer a limb route pickup every day. Limbs can be left on the curb for pickup by city workers with the limb truck. If limbs are cut to a manageable size, they can be stacked for Waste Management to pick up on their regular runs. In addition, up to five bags of leaves can be left with garbage cans for regular pickup. Garland also said “dumpster Fridays” will continue to be offered by the city. Larger items that do not qualify for pickup by Waste Management will be picked up by the city’s crew on Fridays. Items can include things such as mattresses, desks and other furniture and household items. Garland hopes citizens will continue to participate in recycling efforts now that weekly pickup of those items has come to an end. She encourages everyone to make the necessary changes in their schedules to keep this effort, that is so important to our environment, going in our city.