Bedford considers replacing recycling bins with carts

The city is considering using carts for recycling instead of the blue bins that people carry to the curb.

Last August, Republic Services, which provides garbage pickup and recycling in Bedford, started a pilot program along two routes with 2,500 homes where residents were given 65-gallon carts with flip-open lids for recycling.

Jeri Harwell, a Republic Services representative told council members during the Feb. 24 work session that she was amazed by the positive response.

“I was absolutely shocked. I sent out 2,600 surveys and got 811 back; 97 percent said they wanted the carts,” Harwell told council members. “I believe that your residents are ready to move in that direction.”

Mayor Jim Griffin said he wants to move forward with discussions on the recycling carts and that it will be on an agenda this month.

If the council approves a plan to switch from using the bins to the carts, the new recycling option could begin as early as May.

Mirenda McQuagge-Walden, managing director for the city said Republic Services, proposed a rate increase of $1.67, which would mean the residential recycling rate would increase to $3.78, but the amount is still under negotiation, she said.

Although most residents who took part in the pilot program liked the carts, Hardlow said senior citizens did not recycle as much, even with the blue bins.

Hurst already uses recycling carts and has a program called Recycle Bank in which residents build up points toward magazine subscriptions and other items by recycling.

Euless has a hybrid recycling program in which people have the option of using blue bags, bins or carts, said spokeswoman Betsy Deck.

This story was originally published March 3, 2015 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Bedford considers replacing recycling bins with carts."