Greenville City Council announces expansion of recycling program

By Paul Ploumis 16 Jun 2015 Last updated at 03:27:20 GMT

HARTSVILLE (Scrap Monster): The Greenville City Council has unanimously approved the operating budget for 2016 which includes major plans towards improvement of the city’s sanitation and recycling services. The operating budget passed Monday for $168 million includes funding for purchase of new trash and recycling bins and automated collection trucks.

According to City officials, nearly $3 million is being allocated towards purchase of new trash bins and larger 90-gallon recycling collection bins. These bins will be distributed to over 18,000 single-family homes within city limits. The equipment purchase is scheduled for the month of July this year. The rolling out process will take approximately four to six months, they added. According to Mike Murphy, Director of Public Works, the budget has also earmarked funds towards purchase of new automated collection trucks.

The bigger recycling bins are expected to make recycling easier, since residents would be able to recycle cans, plastic, bottles and paper in the same bin. The new bins will free customers from worries of sorting these items in order to be recycled. Furthermore, they don’t need to be separated on the trucks either. The new bins will ensure that more residents participate in recycling. The Greenville City officials expect the participation rates to jump significantly higher from the current levels of 48%.

The new system will result in an increase of $2 in monthly bill, thereby bringing it to $15.50 per month from the earlier $13.50 per month.