By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – The Normal Town Council will decide Monday night whether local government should require owners of apartments and mobile homes to offer on-site recycling for their residents, or continue to encourage voluntary recycling.
The council considers an ordinance mandating landlords provide a place for residents to dispose their recycables and hire private contractors for weekly pick-ups.
The staff’s report to the town council said some owners of multi-family units voluntarily provide recycling, but most do not.
City Manager Pamela Reece said the town is aiming to reach goals stated in McLean County’s 20 year solid waste plan, which calls for a reduction in the amount of garbage taken to the landfill.
Reece said the mandatory program would start in August of next year.
“Property owners and property managers have 13 months or so to put together a program that makes sense for them, and frankly we just believe that a recycling dumpster could be placed next to a trash dumpster and give those residents who don’t have an opportunity to recycle today just the same chance,” Reece told Sam Wood on WJBC’s Afternoon Report.
Violators would be subject to $100 daily fines.
Backers of the ordinance acknowledge increased costs for providing recycling would likely be passed on to tenants, but Councilman R.C. McBride believes residents are willing to pay the extra cost.
Councilman Scott Preston agreed everyone should have access to recycling, but mandates should be a last resort.
The McLean County Landlord Association, representing 20 to 30 property owners in Normal, announced earlier this month it will oppose the ordinance.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].
