The Ithaca_Journal  Date=12/28/1999  Page=2

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Haulers told to leave early bird recyclables at the curb

By HEATHER YOUNGMAN

Special to the Journal

ITHACA - Trash disposal and recycling crews have been instructed to halt the
trashing of recyclables, a problem that was called to attention after a city
resident videotaped crews doing so earlier this fall.

"(Crews) were formerly told to have The Commons completely cleared off by
the morning, so they would be ready for business," said Richard Ferrel,
assistant superintendent for streets and facilities in the City of Ithaca.
"That's what they were doing."

When crews for a private hauler threw Daniel Allen's recyclables in the
trash they were in violation of county recycling policies, but city
officials claim that Allen should not have left the recyclables there in the
first place.

"It wasn't a recycling week," Ferrel said.

Allen could not be reached for comment.

Ferrel said that although some businesses pay for weekly recycling, the
privilege is not given to all residents of the city. "Their recycling is
picked up every other week. That's the policy."

Allen, who lives in a fourth-floor apartment overlooking The Commons,
videotaped disposal crews earlier this fall throwing recyclables he had left
for pick up into the same truck that hauled away his garbage.

Now crews have been instructed to leave all recyclables on the street if it
is a non-recycling week. "It's the resident's responsibility to take care of
them now," he added.

Ferrel said that crews have been briefed on the situation and that those
found violating the policy will be subject to punishment.

"The first step would be a letter of reprimand. After that there could be a
series of unpaid suspensions."

Barbara Eckstrom, manager of the county's solid waste division that handles
Ithaca's recycling, could not be reached for comment.
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Copyright 1999