Recycling program planned to hit the curb in Coupeville

Environmentally conscious folks in Coupeville will soon have a new way to recycle.

The town is several weeks away from finalizing an agreement with Island Disposal for a curbside recycling program.

Mayor Nancy Conard said the town’s attorney and insurance company are currently reviewing the details of the proposed agreement. She didn’t have a figure yet on how much curbside recycling will cost the town and its residents.

The agreement had been delayed because both sides wanted to see if any changes will be made to Island County’s tipping fees that could be considered in its annual review, Conard said.

Bill Oakes, Island County public works director, said there are no plans to increase those fees and he’ll talk with town officials and Island Disposal leadership about the outlook for 2013.

Town officials have been working for years trying to implement a curbside program. They tried to work with Island Disposal and Island County to develop an island-wide program; however that effort stalled months ago and the town moved forward with its own  proposal.

The curbside recycling program is the latest of a series of environmental programs the town has implemented in recent years. Other programs include a phytoremediation project (a study to see if the town’s wastewater can benefit surrounding farms) and a law that allows properly outfitted electric golf carts to be driven on town streets.

Conard said residents within town limits will be required to participate in the curbside recycling program. The reduction in the amount of trash could offset the costs homeowners could face with the recycling program.

“There’s a great potential for people to reduce their garbage pickup,” Conard said. She added that residents could choose recycling pickups either every week or once a month. The Coupeville Town Council will talk about the curbside recycling program during an upcoming meeting.

 

Contact Whidbey News Times Staff reporter Nathan Whalen at nwhalen@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5058.

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