1. When did we discontinue two weekly garbage collections and start the once a week collection?
In July 2002. Pilot studies of 1 garbage and 1 recycling collection (“1 & 1”) were done in 1994 and 1997 and showed that once per week garbage collection was sufficient to meet the solid waste disposal needs of most families.

2. When did we start separate container collections; one for garbage and the other for recycling material?
The green 18-gallon bin collection of recyclables started in October 1992. At the time, this recycling effort was in addition to the twice per week garbage collection. As the larger, 90-gallon blue barrels were introduced, green bins were phased out and by July 2002, the City had a 1 & 1 collection program.

3. When did the $2.00 fee go into effect for garbage collection?
In July 2003. The $2 fee was for 'Brush and Bulky' collection. Had the $2 fee not gone into effect, the City Manager would have pushed for elimination of Brush and Bulky service due to costs.

4. When did the additional $12 fee go into effect?
In August 2004. This additional fee covers solid waste collection, recycling, remediation of old landfills as required by state and federal law, operating and environmental compliance of the Los Reales landfill, wildcat dumping cleanups, holiday tree recycling, and other services associated with EPA’s Clean Communities program.

5. What is the cost of the recycling operation?
The start-up cost for blue barrels and education regarding introduction of the recycling program was about $5.5 million. There is no additional collection cost for recycling, as the second garbage collection day was replaced by the blue barrel collection. If the City dropped the blue barrel collection, the City would have to go back to twice per week garbage collection per state ordinance. There would be no cost savings and the City would be out about $2.5 million that it saves and receives as net revenues from its recycling operations (see Answer 6 below).

6. Has the recycling operation been profitable?
Yes. The City earned $1.4 million (net) last year from the sale of recyclable materials (paper, plastics, metals). Additionally, the City also saved about $1 million in landfill tipping fees that would otherwise have been paid to dump recyclables in the landfill. And by recycling, the City is conserving energy and natural resources, creating jobs (more people are employed in the recycling industry in Arizona than in copper mining), as well as being good stewards of our environment and natural resources.