Gary is revamping its year-old curbside recycling program, cutting back to a biweekly pickup schedule and placing an emphasis on reducing contamination of items placed in the bins.
“Recycling only works if it’s clean,” Public Works Executive Director Rachelle Ceaser told the city council on Tuesday. “We’re challenged by the integrity of the recycling. At least 80% of the loads we pick up have to be clean.”
The new schedule began July 1. Residents received a mailing of the new collection dates, she said.
The changes came after a review of operations and meetings with local leaders, neighboring communities and community groups.
Caesar said the approved recyclable items include paper, cardboard, plastic, metals and glass. If a bin contains unapproved items, a rejection ticket will be issued explaining the contamination. After three uncollectible occurrences, the recycling bin will be removed
“I can’t overstate how important compliance is. We’re asking folks to register for the program, so we can get some good data on the number of households who are participating,” she said.
All existing recycling customers must pledge to continue participating under the new guidelines. Residents are asked to notify the Recycling Department at 219-882-8445 by July 31. Residents can also sign the pledge online at gary.gov/recycling on the city’s website.
“Recycling just one of the initiatives to build out waste diversion and keep stuff out of the landfill. We’re proud of our plastic reduction,” she said.
Chief Operating Officer Michael Suggs said a new directive requiring residents to place their trash bins in front of the house, instead of in the alley, was triggered by complaints from utility companies. About 35% of residents use their alleys for trash pickup.
He said the city’s alleys have been neglected and overgrown with weeds making them impassable. He said the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. and the Indiana American Water Co. complained they couldn’t access some of the alleys to do maintenance.
The city asked residents to place their trash bins in front of their homes so the city can clean the alleys.
Suggs said residents who have difficulty moving their bins to the front of their homes should call 311 or 219-881-1311.
Also, the council unanimously approved a conditional use variance allowing Silvestray Social, a LaPorte-based nonprofit, to open a veterinary clinic at 563 Lake St.
The clinic is restricted from offering kennel services.
The council approved a variance allowing the Love Travel Stop, 3150 Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard, to install a compressed natural gas pump.
A representative said the gas is acquired from NIPSCO and compressed and stored. He said the fuel source is popular with fleet vehicles and over-the-road trucks.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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