Abby directed to create recycling compliance plan
Abbotsford officials are looking at implementing a new system for making sure residents are complying with the city’s recycling rules — with the threat of citations being issued against those who repeatedly violate the ordinance.
According to a Jan. 11 letter from Rachel Stark, a waste management specialist at the Wisconsin DNR, the city has until March 1 to complete what’s called a compliance assurance plan (CAP) for its recycling program. The letter was sent as part of a routine DNR evaluation of the city’s local recycling program.
A CAP proposal, based on a model provided by the DNR, is included in the agenda packet for the city council’s committee of the whole meeting scheduled for tonight (Wednesday). The full council will be able to vote on it at its next meeting on March 1.
Three examples of common recyclingrelated problems are listed in the CAP, along with strategies for city officials to follow when trying to get residents to address those issues.
The first example involves properties that have no method of recycling in place. The proposed three-part response starts with the city administrator or clerk/treasurer sending a letter to the property owner, reminding them of the city’s recycling requirements and providing them with educational materials.
If no recycling activity is started, a second letter will be sent, giving the property owner 30 days to comply with the ordinance. Following the 30 days, a city official will inspect the property to see if recycling has been started.
Citations would then be issued by the Colby-Abbotsford Police Department if the property owner does not come into compliance with the recycling ordinance.
The second example deals with “unacceptable material found mixed with recyclables.” In these cases, the waste hauler will attach a note to the recycling cart, reminding the property owners about the proper recycling procedures.
If the problems continue, the city administrator or clerk-treasurer will send a letter to the property owner, outlining how to sort out waste from recyclables. Further violations will result in citations being issued.
The third example details the city’s proposed response to those who put recyclable materials in the trash. Just like the previous example, the response will start with a note left by the waste hauler and culminate with citations being issued.
Fines for violating the city’s recycling ordinance can range from $10 to $1,000, according to the enforcement section of the ordinance.
The ordinance also includes a list of recyclable materials that must be separated from regular waste, which encompasses everything from glass containers and paper products to major appliances and yard waste.
The Jan. 11 letter from the DNR said Abbotsford has a “well-run” recycling program, “as demonstrated by years of collecting more than the minimum per capita collection standard” of 82.40 pounds per person.
However, the letter also identifies the lack of a CAP as “an area of concern” for the DNR and asks city administrator Dan Grady to send a plan to the DNR by March 1.
Another “area of concern,” according to the letter, is the city’s lack of documentation when it comes to efforts to enforce the recycling ordinance.
“While you indicated you have not heard of many issues, keeping a log or having some documentation strategy, as well as a communication plan with your hauler, would meet this requirement,” the letter states. “The same is true for documenting responses to complaints regarding the recycling program.”
The DNR letter said the city also needs some kind of inspection process for multi-family dwellings and non-residential facilities to make sure they are following the recycling rules.
Wednesday’s agenda packet also includes multiple changes recommended by the Wisconsin DNR to the city’s Title 8 ordinance, which deals with recycling and other health and sanitation issues. Most of the suggested changes deal with eliminating outdated language and updating the statutory references.
