Four-Eight-Four [dot org]

Several times in the last few months, I’ve written criticizing the "improvements" to the city’s recyling program. My specific criticism was that the "improved" program will cost the same yearly as the old program.

Turns out that isn’t the case. See "Recycle Wednesday … finally!" at ChattanoogaIsHome.com where a reader corrected my error.

For 2007, the cost will be the same because of the cost of setting up the additional dropoff centers and other costs related to modifying the program; starting in 2008, the cost will actually be less.

So, I hereby retract my criticism of the cost of the "improved" recycling program, because it was based either on inaccurate information or my misunderstanding of correct information (perhaps both; I can’t find the articles that I read that were the basis of my criticism any more).

I’m still not happy with the monthly curbside pickup. I believe there are other, better ways to encourage more citizens to recycle as well as encourage those who do take advantage of curbside recycling to recycle properly. However, I do recognize that having staffed dropoff points can and will reduce the amount of trash that is taken in, which will in turn reduce the overall cost of the program.

One final thing … while doing some research this morning trying to find out if the "improved" program would indeed cost less for successive years, I found out that Mayor Littlefield is the one who initiated the curbside pickup program in 1987, back when he was the public works commissioner. So, I need to give him a bit of a break … and I will.