In October, the City of Alcoa expanded its weekly curbside recycling program by switching to "single-stream" recycling that accepts a wider range of materials.

According to statistics provided by city officials, the amount of recycled waste diverted from the local landfill has increased anywhere from 55% to 67% since implementing the new program.

For the three-month period from July through September, 69.44 tons were recycled as compared to 116.05 tons for November through January, a 67% increase.

December is somewhat inflated, however, by the extra amount of household waste generated over the holidays. Leaving out December and comparing October, November, and January to the previous three months shows a 55% increase in recycling.

Overall, recycled waste for the six-month period ending in December (218 tons) was equal to 16% of the household waste going to the landfill (1360 tons), and 14% of the total household solid waste stream. Because the expanded program was only in place for half of that period, the percentage will more than likely increase for 2009, especially if more people participate.

The new program not only accepts more types of recyclable waste, it is easier for residents and collection crews because they no longer have to sort paper, glass, and plastic. All of the sorting is done at a central Knoxville location operated by Waste Connections, the city's curbside recycling contractor.

According to city officials, Alcoa pays Waste Connections $3.15 per household per month to operate the city's recycling program. That includes all collection, transportation, handling, and sorting. The city's weekly recycling program serves approx. 3100 households in the City of Alcoa.

There is no additional cost to residents for weekly curbside recycling, which is included with other city services covered by property taxes. The City of Alcoa property tax rate is $2.20 per $100 on 25% of assessed value, as compared to $2.30 for the City of Maryville which does not provide curbside recycling. (The rate in Knoxville, which charges an additional fee for curbside recycling, is $2.81.)

The city has not put a dollar figure on the landfill savings, but using the $32 per ton tipping fee as a guide suggests that the 148 tons of diverted recycled waste from October through January is the equivalent of approx. $4700 in tipping fees. This does not include offsets for collection and transportation costs, which are covered by the fee paid to Waste Connections by the city. It's difficult to place a dollar value on the environmental benefits, but every little bit helps.

We asked if Alcoa is planning to participate in the RecycleBank program, which lets residents accumulate recycling points redeemable for coupons and free offers from local merchants and national retailers. Engineering & Public Works Director Kenny Wiggins said "I think all of us would like to see the Recycle Bank program implemented here but I doubt that will happen due to budget constraints. The initial figures from Waste Connections indicated an increase to $4.62 per household per month."

In related news, the city is launching a new household electronics recycling program which they hope to have ready by March 1st. There will be collection centers where City of Alcoa residents can drop off old computers, monitors, printers, and other electronics. Alcoa has contracted with a company that pays the city anywhere from $.01 to $.10 per pound for recycled electronics (except TVs, which the city pays to have recycled). Details of the program are still being worked out and will be announced shortly.

Residents are responding to Alcoa's recycling efforts, and, judging from the numbers, the new single-stream program is getting more people involved in recycling more household waste. The City of Alcoa has done a commendable job implementing and promoting the program, and residents have stepped up to make it a huge success.

Thanks to City of Alcoa Public Information Officer Patricia Tipton, Engineering & Public Works Director Kenny Wiggins, and Engineering & Public Works Administrative Assistant Lisa Stremsterfer who provided information for this report.