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All hands went up in response to the question, "Who uses the recycling stations?"
"Looks like we're among friends," Joe Thallemer said at the beginning of the Warsaw public input session of the curbside waste task force.
More than 30 Warsaw residents attended the meeting Wednesday in the Center Lake Pavilion. Warsaw city council members Trish Brown, Jerry Patterson and Jeff Grose also attended, along with state Sen. Kent Adams.
As city councilman, Thallemer has headed the task force since February. Each city district is represented by a citizen: Mike Harstine, District 1; Julie Becknell, District 2; Luke Rankin, District 3; Mike DeWald, District 4; and Dick Boggs, District 5. Other members include Sue Studebaker, executive director of the Kosciusko County Solid Waste District; Lacy Francis, Warsaw public works superintendent; and a media representative.
Thallemer explained that Warsaw is considering a curbside recycling program because it is the largest municipality in the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District. Currently, Winona Lake and Etna Green offer curbside recycling services to residents.
"The city has a responsibility to work toward the voluntary waste diversion goals established by the state in 1993 to reduce landfill waste by 50 percent," he said.
The city's yard waste recycling program, established in 1991, diverts 20 percent of the "waste stream" from the landfill. Citizens simply rake leaves and other debris to the curb and it is removed to the city's compost yard on West Center Street.
Curbside recycling is seen as a complement and extension to the yard waste program, according to the findings of the task force.
Thallemer described a "two-point" separation system, with paper going into one bin and metal, plastics and glass going into another. Collection might be every other week. Ideally, recyclables would be picked up the same day as the trash.
The biggest challenge, Thallemer said, is to create a recycling agenda attractive to 4,000 city households. The service will be available to single family homes and housing units with four apartments or less.
The work is expected to be contracted by the city.
One woman commented that Warsaw is way behind the times regarding recycling.
"Even on little country roads, I see recycling containers," she said. "We need to be taking care of our Earth. I think the people in this community will recycle. And I'll be happy to take the information around to neighbors."
A question that was never answered was about specific costs of the proposed program. The service and bins would be financed through property taxes and not user fees.
Funding of the city's waste hauling service is provided through a city tax levy.
"As with the current garbage and yard waste program," Thallemer said, "the curbside recycling program will be supported by the tax base. It is assumed significant curbside recycling participation will increase landfill diversion and, thus, offset additional costs to the taxpayer.
"The CWTF feels that curbside recycling, yard waste recycling and garbage disposal are interdependent components and, although voluntary, require full participation of all three to be cost effective."
Direct savings can be realized from the reduction of tipping fees - costs per ton paid at the landfill - as well as transportation and handling costs.
Studebaker fielded questions about the anticipated removal of three recycling stations in the city, paid by solid waste district funds and operated by Stafford's Solid Waste.
She explained the district has experienced a cut in funding. There will be a station in the city, behind the district's office and collection center at 202 S. Union St.
She also explained that the district is a separate entity from either the city or county governments and is a taxing entity. The local district was recognized by the state in 1993.
Citizens' comments and task force findings will be taken before the city council for consideration. It is anticipated a curbside recycling service could be under way by March.
