EWS Helps Downtown DeLand Go Green!

The DeLand City Commission, MainStreet DeLand and Emerald Waste Services have kicked off a commercial recycling program for the Downtown area. The pilot program started June 22, and will run for 60 days.

“I have not yet heard anything but positive comments,” Becker said.

Tiffany Schroeder, a local green expert, said she was thrilled to see this implemented, and the best part was that the service was free, and offered a valuable service to local merchants. “This can really reduce waste-hauling costs,” Schroeder said.

Mary Thierry, administrative coordinator for the DeLand Public Works Department, said that during the first week of the pilot program, the city had eight recycling carts filled with paper, glass, metal and plastic. The carts were filled by Downtown merchants and residents. There was no contamination in the carts, which means no garbage, or non-recyclable material, such as food, had been placed in the carts. During the second week, there were 14 full carts, with no contamination from non-recyclable material. “They now have 45 carts total, 96 gallons each,” Thierry said.

The service is free and easy. The biggest requirements are that paper products need to be separated from everything else, and that no trash should be placed in the carts. Glass, plastic and aluminum all go into one recycling cart. If the carts are used for trash, the business will be given one warning. If it’s used as a trash can a second time, the cart will be taken away and placed somewhere else.

Thierry said right now all is well, but there is concern about special events, when there will be more people in the core Downtown area. “Even during special events, these are recycling carts,” she said. Recycling pickup is Wednesdays.

— jen@beacononlinenews.com