January 24th, 2011
Single-stream recycling for apartments starts Feb. 1

SUBMITTED REPORT

The city of San Marcos will expand its single stream recycling service to include multi-family units on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Each apartment unit will be billed $5.53 per month including tax for the weekly curbside service. The San Marcos City Council passed an ordinance on Dec. 7 establishing single stream recycling for multi-family units in response to requests by apartment residents.

Single stream means that all the recyclables can be mixed in the same container without being separated. Over time, this service is expected to reduce the volume of solid waste collected in the community.

Texas Disposal Systems will provide 96 gallon recycling carts at each apartment complex and the carts will be rolled to their trucks for emptying. Residents should contact their property manager for cart locations and pick-up days.

“We are proud to be the first community in Central Texas to offer single stream recycling to all residents in the city, whether you live in a single-family or multi-family home,” Mayor Daniel Guerrero said.  “Bringing the curbside recycling to apartments greatly enhances the single stream program introduced in 2009.”

Single stream recycling allows participants to recycle more items and while not requirng that recyclables be sorted. Items accepted in the recycling carts include:

• Paper: Newspaper, office paper, junk mail, magazines
• Cardboard and Boxboard: Shipping boxes, cereal boxes, shoe boxes

Empty Containers made of:

• Plastic: Rigid plastic jugs, bottles and plastic containers numbered one through seven
• Metal: Food cans
• Aluminum: Soda cans
• Glass: Bottles of any color

Items not accepted in the carts include garbage, plastic bags, Styrofoam, pet food bags, pet waste, light bulbs, batteries, motor oil bottles, aerosol cans, coat hangers, clothes or garden hoses. San Marcos residents may continue to take items to Green Guy Recycling, Inc. at 937 Hwy 80, behind Hobby Lobby and Tractor Supply. Green Guy accepts metal, aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel and lead. They also accept printer cartridges, cell phones, batteries and Styrofoam peanuts. More information on Green Guy may be found through their web site.

A video will be posted online soon at the City of San Marcos web site with information about the new multi-family curbside recycling service, or residents may contact garbage@sanmarcostx.gov or 512-393-8026 for more information.