CLEVELAND — It's been over a year since the city's recycling program in Cleveland ended. Cost was a big problem.
What You Need To Know
- The recycling program in Cleveland ended in 2020 when the city wasn't able to secure a new bid
- Residents can now opt-in to the recycling program by Oct. 22
- The goal is to have the program up and running by the end of the year
"The first time we went out for bid, we didn't get any bids at all and the second time we got a bid, but the price was just too high," said Jason Wood, the chief of Sustainability for the city of Cleveland.
Now the recycling program is set to return. Residents can choose to opt in. So far around 11,000 of 150,000 eligible households have signed up.
"Early in the process, we saw a very large concentration on the west side of Cleveland. And about three or four neighborhoods saw a lot of concentration there. We're starting to see the opt-in spread throughout the city and it looks like we're seeing and uptick on the east side of Cleveland as well now," said Wood.
Cans, cartons and glass will be accepted. Cardboard and paper along with plastic bottles and jugs will also be accepted. The goal is have the program up and running by the end of the year.
"Once we pick the recycling up at the curb we have to have someplace to send it and somebody who will process and handle that material. Those bids are due this week and we'll go through the evaluation period and make a selection after that process and then that's kind of the final piece of the puzzle that we'll need to set that start date," said Wood.
Eligible residents have until Oct. 22 to opt-in.