Fayetteville Council Votes for Curbside Recycling Program

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The Fayetteville City Council has tentatively approved a curbside recycling program. It is the last major city in the state without such a program.

Currently, Fayetteville residents who want to recycle have to drive to drop-off locations.

"I had to actually go out of my way to research where to find the recycling center and things like that," Fayetteville resident Chuck Tryon said.

Some residents say the absence of a curbside collection program discourages recycling.

Statistics from the North Carolina Division of Waste Management support their assertion.

Cumberland County ranked 85th out of the 100 counties in the state for recycling. The Division of Waste Management reports that in the 2005-2006 fiscal year, the county recycled an average of 40 pounds of material per person, which is well below the statewide average of about 111 pounds per person.

If approved, the curbside program would cost households in Fayetteville $30 per year.

City Councilman Keith Bates said the city plans an education campaign to increase the amount of recyclable material collected.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to use the education process and increase our tonnage (of recyclables) to where it'll pay for itself," Bates said.