Released by the City of Simpsonville.
Simpsonville, S.C. — Due to the costliness and ineffectiveness of curbside recycling, the City of Simpsonville will discontinue the service this fall.
Simpsonville City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to end in September curbside recycling citywide to protect taxpayer money from an inefficient practice that continues to pile more and more trash in landfills. Mayor Paul Shewmaker said ending curbside recycling is the right thing to do.
“Recycling is not just about what it costs, but the inefficiency of curbside recycling is just not sustainable,” Shewmaker said. “We must be good stewards of the environment as well as good stewards of the taxpayers' money. By educating ourselves about the best ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, Simpsonville can make sure that we are part of the solution and not the problem. The City will continue to value sustainability.” While the City of Simpsonville once received cash for recyclables, taxpayers now pay an average of $4,500 per month for Pratt Industries just to take recyclables – and some months more than $5,000. Since a significant portion of those recyclables end up in landfills due to improper sorting and contamination, City officials believe taxpayers are not getting their money’s worth.
Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell said Council is disappointed that the dedication of Simpsonville residents to protecting the environment has been wasted on an expensive and ineffective system through no fault of their own.
“Because Council continues to value sustainability and good stewardship of the environment, the City is leaving behind the antiquated system of curbside recycling and moving forward with a community-wide effort to cut down on waste,” Campbell said. “By working with residents and businesses to raise awareness about proper recycling habits and the importance of reusing and reducing, Simpsonville can become even more sustainable than it already is.” An education campaign by the Public Works Department will inform residents about proper recycling habits and alternatives to curbside recycling as well as emphasize the greater impact of reducing and reusing.
