By RICKY KERR
Hays Post
The City of Hays recycling program has made changes for collection of recyclable materials effective immediately, following the purchase of a newer but smaller truck.
“We ask our customers to break down the larger boxes,” said Solid Waste Division Superintendent Marvin Honas. “The main reason for that is the customers are leaving Styrofoam in these boxes and plastic wrap, neither of which is recyclable.”
Since the new recycling truck has two compartments instead of three, the program will not be able to sort plastic and Styrofoam trash from recyclable material.
“We had one compartment for paper and cardboard, one compartment for glass, plastics, tin and aluminum, and the third one we used if there was any trash,” Honas said.
The program chose to get a smaller, single-axle truck because it would be able to navigate streets and alleyways more safely.
“We cannot turn the (old) truck around in a cul-de-sac without backing up and turning around about three times,” Honas said. “Especially if there’s cars in that cul-de-sac. We usually have to pull the old truck in and just back out. From a safety standpoint, I don’t think that’s probably a good practice.”
Honas said the program no longer will be pick up trash from the yard, and asked that customers to bag cartons and other smaller cardboard boxes in plastic bags to avoid being blown around the yard.
“Time is a great essence right now and we don’t have extra personnel so we have to make do with what we have and manage those people the best way we can,” Honas said.
It was also clarified that plastic grocery bags are not recyclable in the program.
Honas was unsure if the changes will affect program participation, but acknowledged that everyone has a personal choice on whether to recycle.
“I don’t know how its going to affect our participation rate. Until we see where we’re at as far as if there is a decline, we can maybe evaluate that a little more,” he said.
The new recycling truck should see action within a few weeks, after trees have been trimmed to prevent damaging it.
For more information, visit the recycling program website.
Listen to the full interview with Honas below:
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