When Waste Management’s new single-stream recycling program in Fairfield, Iowa went into effect in late 2010, city leaders anticipated it would fulfill their goals established in the Go Green Strategic Plan to increase recycling and decrease the amount of waste to local landfills. The City of Fairfield’s Green Commission set goals for a 75% increase in recyclables processed with a corresponding 25% decrease in waste to landfill by December 2012. Thanks to fantastic participation from Fairfield residents and Waste Management’s single-stream collection, residents and businesses are well on their way to achieving that goal.
After two months of the new program, Fairfield residents participated in record numbers with encouraging results. Waste Management collected a record 46.93 tons of recyclable materials, which is a 67% increase from the monthly average in Fairfield. If the new collection rates continue, Fairfield will increase its tonnage recycled to a total of 563 tons annually – the equivalent of 83 cars permanently taken off the road, or a reduction of nearly 500 tons of CO2e from being released into the atmosphere.
“Fairfield has been a leader in recycling participation since we began the curbside program nearly 20 years ago,” responded Mayor Ed Malloy. “I am not surprised to see the strong showing for this next level of community participation. Our resolve as a community to conserve resources and protect the environment is a strong driver for this success. It is one of the foundations of our sustainability efforts”.
When first introduced, the single-stream program was met with mixed reactions from residents – mostly due to the size of the containers which allow for large amounts of recyclable materials. While many residents praised the ease and practicality of the containers, others found them to be too large or cumbersome. After two months of use, however, many residents are recycling for the first time, while others are recycling additional material they previously had thrown into the trash. In addition, Fairfield City Hall is now recycling enough paper to fill the bin weekly. And while Fairfield’s sustainability efforts also call for residents to reduce and reuse materials as much as possible – the new program is quickly reducing their contribution to the SEMCO landfill.
“Waste Management is proud to be a part of the Fairfield community and the single-stream recycling program,” said Carrie Spencer, spokesperson for Waste Management of Iowa. “It is encouraging to see the level of commitment to this program from families and businesses. We hope to see recycling rates increase even more as word spreads about the program.”
More information on single-stream recycling and what can be recycled is available at www.wm.com, www.fairfieldgogreen.com and www.cityoffairfieldiowa.com; as well as on display in the Fairfield Public Library.
I was under the impression that businesses cannot participate in this recycling effort. So . . . why does the City Hall get to recycle their paper and my business cannot??? I, alone , carry 4 to 5 large boxes of white office paper and all cardboard boxes to the recycling center every two months or so. It is HEAVY lifting and time consuming, but, as a retired environmental education teacher, I am committed. I would be delighted to put it all in a bin at my office. I see other businesses dumping all their cardboard and white paper right into the trash! Can’t we be a part of this too???
Hi Candace, Scott here – actually, we’re having discussions as to whether or not we should _require_ businesses to join the program. What’s your opinion? I am personally thankful for your efforts lugging those boxes of paper to the recycling center, and hope we can make it easier for you soon. I am happy to get in touch with Waste Management tomorrow and see what we can arrange. Please feel free to give me a call – 515-291-2560, and let’s see what we can do!
(as a former EE teacher myself…I appreciate your continued commitment!)