October 7th, 2009
City offices turn green

STAFF REPORT

City buildings in San Marcos now get the benefit of the single stream recycling already available to residents. Due to a partnership with Green Guy Recycling, the city is also able to participate in this “green” process.

Recently, every city office received plastic recycling bins that can take an expanded list of recyclable materials. Additionally, stainless steel recycling cans have been placed in public ares and conference rooms of all city facilities so that visitors to the buildings can also recycle.

Each night, the office bins and cans will be emptied by the janitorial crew. Every building has a Green Guy recycling cart to consolidate the recyclables.

“By establishing single stream recycling in all of our city facilities, we will provide a great way for city employees and the public to help protect the environment, save natural resources, conserve landfill space and demonstrate our support for environmental programs,” San Marcos City Manager Rick Menchaca said.

Green Guy Recycling has a drop off recycling center located at 937 SH 80. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for accepting household materials and recycling items. For a full list of acceptable materials go to greenguyrecycling.net/index.html.

Green Guy also buys aluminum, copper and other scrap metals Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Last April, the city and Texas Disposal Systems instituted curbside single stream recycling for residential customers of solid waste services.  Since then, the single stream program has reduced San Marcos solid waste going to the landfill by more than 506 tons.  National studies have shown that a 30 percent increase in consumer recycling rates has been seen in the areas where single stream recycling is available.