(07/27/09) - After receiving post cards from residents who answered his call in the Akron City Magazine for inquiries about city operations, Mayor Don Plusquellic has received several dozen post cards, letters and e-mails about the lack of recycling opportunities for residents living in apartment buildings.

Deputy Service Director John Valle said that in buildings with more than four units, recycling has not---until now---been an option.  “The City of Akron’s current curb side trash and recycle program is for single family and apartments up to three units.  The mayor is making it possible for nearly everyone to recycle now.”

The majority of requests for expanding recycling to larger apartment buildings has come from residents of Highland Square and the west side of Akron, according to Valle.

Plusquellic has asked the fire department to be headquarters for the new household recycling customers.

“We have 13 fire houses in all parts of the City that residents can drop off their recyclable items,” said the mayor.  “It’s convenient for everyone.  They can now drop off their items in the back of the fire stations.  Signs are posted that read ‘Community Recycling’.” 

If residents have aluminum cans, they are encouraged to continue to place those in the special Akron Fire Departments Burn Unit containers on the site.  These contributions benefit Akron Children’s Hospital. 

White paper and magazines are not included in the expanded recycling program because of number of other recycling opportunities throughout the community for these items. 

Akron residents have doubled their participation in Akron recycling programs since the new automated trash collection program began in 2006.

 

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