VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Syracuse rolls out new recycling bins and schedule
ZACH NEMIROVSKY: On Monday, the Syracuse Common Council gave final approval for the rollout of new lidded recycling bins.
Along with the new bins, residents will also have their recycling picked up every other week.
According to a study the city commissioned last year, less than half of the city actually recycles, so the hope is that this new program will spur greater participation.
ANN FORDOCK: “We feel like we’re going to see an increase in recycling. We really truly hope that’s a problem to have, which is too much recycling.”
NEMIROVSKY: Although there was concern among the community about recycling accumulation with pickup being every other week, Councilman Gethers, who chairs the Public Works Committee, says this shouldn’t really be an issue.
GETHERS: “The reason why it’s going to be every other week is because the household items that people mostly recycle don’t really pile up that much, but if we give it time, we’re trying to push more people to recycle.”
NEMIROVSKY: Despite flyers distributed to all households affected by the change, some residents like Celeste Craig still didn’t know this change was taking place.
CELESTE CRAIG: “I have as much recycling as I do trash. I mean, it’s nice that it’s big, but I feel like it’s going to stick around if it’s every other week. Why don’t they just do it every week like they do with the trash?”
NEMIROVSKY: Along with the new bins, residents should expect a pamphlet with more information about what can go in the bins and which weeks they will get recycling pickup.
By October 19th, the rollout should be complete, and every resident in Syracuse should have their new recycling bin.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — On Monday, the Syracuse Common Council gave final approval for the rollout of new lidded recycling bins. As part of the new program, residents will also have their recycling collected every other week.
Alongside the goal of reducing litter and strain on recycling collectors heavy lifting, another hope of the initiative is to get more residents to recycle. A study commissioned by the city last year revealed that less than half of Syracusians actively recycle.
“We’re hopeful we’ll see an increase in recycling,” said Ann Fardock, deputy commissioner of the department of public works. “If anything, we hope too much recycling becomes a good problem to have.”
The city has also optimized its collection routes, reducing the number from 15 to 12. This adjustment is designed to streamline operations, reduce delays, and allow the Department of Public Works to allocate staff to other vital services such as bulk pickups, elderly and disabled assistance and litter collection across the city.
When is my recycling picked up?
Though there has been some concern among residents about recycling buildup with the new biweekly schedule, the increased bin capacity from 14-gallon to 96-gallon containers should solve that problem.
“The reason for the every-other-week schedule is that most household recyclables don’t accumulate that quickly,” said Amir Gethers, the chairperson for public works on the Syracuse Common Council. “By allowing more time, we’re encouraging better recycling habits. Plus, the lidded bins will prevent litter from blowing away in the wind.”
In addition to the new bins, residents will receive a pamphlet outlining what can be recycled and detailing the pickup schedule. The rollout is expected to be completed by Oct. 19, by which time all Syracuse residents should have their new bins.
