Mayor explains decision to halt Curbside Recycling

Earlier this month, a notice went out to all residential sanitation customers within the city limits of Seneca stating that in an effort to keep garbage collection fees as low as possible; the city would be halting the collection of curbside recycling on July 1.  Seneca Mayor Dan Alexander explains.  “When we were going through the budget process, in the Sanitation Department there was a position that had not been filled yet that had become vacant.  That position mainly dealt with residential recycling.  That person went to residential areas and picked up the little green containers on the side of the road.  After reviewing it we were made aware that about 95% of our recycling is done on the commercial side and the residential side is about 5%.” Because residential recycling numbers were so low, the city decided not fill that position, adds Mayor Alexander.  “We saw in our budget that the salary and benefits were around $45,000 that we could save in the budget.  We just felt like that was the right thing to do considering how much we were generating from picking up the residential recycling.” Mayor Alexander says that the city has established a drop-off site for recyclable items.  “We are not doing away with recycling, so, if that is something that you like to do or want to do, it is not something that you have to do, not now, but you are more than welcome to drop off recycling at a designated area by the city’s motor pool.”  That drop off residential recycling area is located at 298 East South 1^st Street in Seneca.  Office hours are 7am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday.  All other curbside services offered by the City of Seneca will remain the same.