Recycling proposal before Boise City Council could mean cash savings and hope for cleaner environment

Boise - Tuesday night, the Boise City Council will have an opportunity to modify the contract with BFI to include a citywide recycling effort that would include the booming population of renters, resulting in long-term cost savings and a healthier environment.

Under the current fee schedule, home owners receive a $1.00 credit each month for participating in the recycling program, while apartment renters have to pay $1.72 monthly to participate in the same program. If the new proposal is adopted without the Green Party amendment, the apartment recycling fee will be increased to $1.81.

A proposal to eliminate recycling fees for apartments was submitted to the Boise City Council by the Ada County Green Party this summer and received positive public reaction, but was ignored by city leaders.

Several Green Party members will address the city council to again urge adoption of the Green Party proposal eliminating recycling fees. "All we are asking is that the city council agree to include the booming population of renters into the overall recycling effort," said Thomas McGuire, Idaho Green Party spokesman.

Green Party members are hoping that the city council will remove the fees. “This is a step in the right direction and removes a big obstacle for recycling in apartments,” says Elizabeth Wasson. “After all, we are all part of the same community.”

McGuire said if the city council fails to make the changes, tax payers may be faced with a threat to their savings as well as the environment. With no attempt to include renters in the city recycling program Boise is likely to face paying up to $30 million to construct a new landfill as early as 2009.

According to McGuire, representatives from BFI and the Public Works Department met with Green Party members to discuss the issue and found the idea of free recycling for all apartments to be feasible. Once signed contract with BFI is effective Jan. 1, 2003.

Background:

  • Fall 2001 through Summer 2002: Ada Green Party recycling committee researches recycling problems, costs, and develop solutions.
  • September 2002: Over 600 signatures collected at Hyde Park Street Fair for Four-Point recycling petition.
  • August 2002: Recycling proposal presented to city council, asking that new contract negotiations would require BFI and city to remove recycling fees.
  • September 2002: Several hundred postcards asking for support of the recycling proposal distributed to Green Party members and mailed to Mayor Brent Coles.
  • September 2002: Detailed proposal submitted on environmental pricing schedule to Boise City Public Works Department.

    Public Response:

  • Green Party wants improved recycling” (Idaho Statesman, August 8, 2002)
  • Boise to consider enhanced recycling program - Greens want publicity, end to apartment fees” (Idaho Statesman, August 12, 2002)
  • Our View: Greens offer constructive ideas about city recycling” - (Idaho Statesman Editorial, August 13, 2002)
  • Boise Council keeps recycling contract Greens wanted to eliminate fee for apartments” (Idaho Statesman, August 14, 2002)

    Links to above articles and more information about the Idaho Green Party at: www.idahogreenparty.org