Recycling positively affects the economy, the environment and the quality of life of Cincinnati residents. The City's elimination of the curbside recycling program would be neither constructive nor cost effective.

If the City discontinues the residential recycling program, the City would not save the full cost of the $2 million Rumpke contract. At best the City would save only about $1 million because the City would lose approximately $325,000 from the Residential Recycling Incentive Grant Program. Also, the City would have to pay additional tipping fee disposal charges of about $242,000 (annual tonnage recycled 11,000 @ $22 per ton). This does not include the additional cost of labor, fuel, and wear and tear of trucks traveling to the Rumpke landfill in Colerain Township. If Rumpke should increase the tipping fee per ton, not an unlikely event, even this $1 million savings would be quickly wiped out. The City would be left with no recycling program to help defray increased costs in solid waste disposal.

The City's participation rate was about 38% of eligible households until 2002 when it dipped to 34%. Participation rates are lower, generally, in Hamilton County communities where households contract for the service. The City contributes 34.35% of the residential recycled material in the Solid Waste Management District (SWMD).

If the City discontinues the residential recycling program, the jobs of collecting, sorting and transporting materials would be affected, many probably eliminated. A portion of those jobs are in the City which impacts the earnings tax. Rumpke employs over 70 individuals at its recycling facility; most live in Hamilton County. Their recycling annual payroll including temps is nearly $1.5 million per year. Hauling wages add another $2 million dollars.

In addition to affecting jobs, eliminating recycling in the City would affect a percentage of material used in local production and thus affect production costs. Use of locally obtained material in production of goods reduces transportation costs and can be less expensive than use of raw materials, e.g., aluminum, paper, steel. In this Southwest Ohio area, more than 15 businesses use residential recycling material in their production processes. (Attachment A) Products include paper products such as packaging and stationary and metal products; synthetic lumber is also produced locally. Recycling has a local economic development connection. Recycling could have a greater impact on economic development if more materials were recovered and local businesses encouraged to use this resource.

The City's elimination of the recycling program may result in Rumpke increasing recycling fees to cover revenue losses and other communities eliminating recycling because of passed on increased costs, a cascading effect. Rather, the City ought to be a responsible jurisdiction partner and contribute to SWMD required waste reduction percentages. It is known that other regions in the state are following this local situation. Cincinnati could provide leadership in the area of residential resource recovery.

There are ways to reduce the cost of the City's residential recycling program. Efficiencies in collection and sorting can be obtained while maintaining adequate value of the recovered material. Other efficiencies may be obtained following a comprehensive review of the whole program.

The City's participation rate indicates people want to recycle even in the absence of any promotion of the program. It brings a sense of being part of and doing something on behalf of the community. Recycling at home complements the practice of recycling at work places such as Procter & Gamble and GE. Higher rates could be attained if adequate, more available and frequently provided information was given to residents. Recycling is a way for residents to support the 'clean and safe' city agenda.

The City's recycling helps prolong the life of nearby landfills. When nearby landfills reach capacity, garbage disposal fees most likely will increase to cover the cost of transportation to more distant sites. This situation could occur within 3 years at current disposal capacity rates. Rumpke has requested an expansion to their landfill which if granted may extend somewhat the life of the landfill.

Recycling aids in conserving natural resources. A ton of recycled paper saves the equivalent of 17 trees; using recycled aluminum uses 95% less energy than manufacturing new aluminum from bauxite ore. Energy use and air pollution are greatly reduced by local resource recovery and especially when used to support locally produced products.

According to Grass Roots Recycling Network, sorting and processing recyclables sustains 5-10 times more jobs than land filling or incineration. A 2001 ODNR report indicates the recycling industry supports 4.3% of the jobs in Ohio and produces 3.7% of Ohio's gross State product. Direct and indirect recycling businesses generate $490.85 million in state taxes and with fees and miscellaneous revenues total $650.6 million in state government revenues.

We urge the City of Cincinnati to continue the curbside recycling program including adequate promotion under 'best practices' outreach for this part of solid waste service.

The League of Women Voters supports policies to reduce the generation and promote the reuse and recycling of solid wastes. The League has supported the City recycling efforts from the beginning as a means to reduce pollution and more responsibly manage our natural resources.