Fwd: [SB] Problematic Apartment Recycling in Blacksburg

[Angie De Soto]

FYI!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: G. William Claus <cla...@verizon.net>
Date: Thu, Mar 3, 2011 at 3:29 PM
Subject: [SB] Problematic Apartment Recycling in Blacksburg
To: sustainable...@googlegroups.com

SUBJECT:  Ordinance 1600 - An Ordinance to Amend Town Code Sections 20-130, 20-131, 20-142, and 403 Regarding Recycling Requirements

DID YOU KNOW THAT . . .

• About 50% of Blacksburg residents live in apartments or other types of multi-family units such as townhouses?
• And there are about 109 apartment complexes within our Town limits?  
• And our current Town Code requires that apartment complex owners provide recycling to its tenants, either through contracts with the town or a private business?  
• And our current Code also calls for centralized and organized on-site recycling facilities? 
• And that these recycling requirements have been part of our Town Code for the last 18 years? 
• And, of Blacksburg's 109 apartment complexes, about 80% are not in compliance with this part of our Town Code?  

It is obvious that our current Town Code is not working to provide convenient recycling opportunities for our residents who live in apartment complexes and other multi-family units, and something needs to be changed.

Over the last year, members from the Town Staff, Town Council, Sustainable Blacksburg, and members of the New River Valley Apartment Council have frequently met to considered ways that the Town Code might be changed to improve recycling opportunities for tenants living in Blacksburg's multi-family housing units.  Our Town Attorney has drafted changes to the Code and submitted the proposed amendments as Ordinance 1600 for Town Council's consideration.  A public hearing and vote is scheduled for Town Council's regular meeting at 7:30 PM, Tuesday, 08 March (Council Chambers, Blacksburg Municipal Building, 300 South Main Street).

Ordinance 1600, if approved by Town Council on 08 March, will require the owners of apartments or condominiums to . . .

• Work with their managers and maintenance staff along with the Town Staff to develop a thorough, written recycling program.
• Provide their tenants with  "… a centralized and organized means to collect and dispose of recyclable materials. The program shall include onsite recycling facilities, their safe and sanitary maintenance, and periodic collection and lawful disposal of recyclable materials."
• Report to Town Staff twice each year the results their recycling program.
• Report whether they will contract with the Town or privately owned haulers to provide recycling services at their property.
• Receive fines varying from $100 to $3,000 for not complying with this Ordinance.

IF COUNCIL PASSES THIS ORDINANCE, owners of apartments and condominiums will have 30 days to submit their recycling plans to Blacksburg Town Staff.

Let us hope that the remaining 50% of Blacksburg residents will soon be given an opportunity to recycle the same items that are now part of the Town's curbside recycling program for residents of single-family homes!  

OUR THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT SO FAR !!

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Angie De Soto
Campus Sustainability Planner

Virginia Tech Office of Energy and Sustainability:  http://www.facilities.vt.edu/sustainability/
30-B Sterrett Facilities Complex

Blacksburg, VA 24061

Office: (540) 231-7358

Cell: (540) 553-1512

ade...@vt.edu