Kansas City Pieces Recycling Program Together

Lynn Schenkman

Kansas City, Mo., is considering a version of a pay as you throw (PAYT) program that would have residents using city-issued bins for recyclables and a finite number of stickers for trash. City Councilman Jim Rowland proposed that the city issue one bin and approximately 150 stickers per year to each household. The city would only collect bags of garbage and yard waste that have stickers. If residents run out of stickers, they would purchase more from the city for $1 each. Large amounts of refuse would require extra stickers.

Recyclables would be placed in the bins and collected every other week. The bins would cost $10. Residents in Kansas City have repeatedly voted against recycling programs, but Rowland’s plan would not require a vote.