Aldermen Propose New Recycling Ordinance

By Kevin Robinson in News on Feb 4, 2009 6:00PM

46th Ward Alderman Helen Shiller, along with 1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores, proposed an ordinance Tuesday afternoon that requires new apartment buildings in the city to set aside space for recycling. New buildings with four or fewer units, which are served by the city's Streets and Sanitation Department, would be mandated to set aside space to sort and store recyclables and townhouses would have to have set aside space, either indoors or screened off outdoors for recycling. Buildings with five or more units, which are served by private waste haulers, would have to set aside space on each floor, or incorporate chutes to handle recyclable waste. "It's very difficult, right now, to actually comply with that ordinance, give that there is minimal space," Flores told the Tribune.

"I think it's hypocritical for us as a city to mandate other people do recycling while we sit on our hands," said 38th Ward Alderman Tom Allen, referring to the city's abysmal recycling record. "The recycling ordinances are outdated, and they need to be revised," deputy commissioner of the Environment Department Kimberly Worthington said. "This is a step in that direction."

Photo by Kookybites