City paid $16,000 in fees in June
Albuquerque’s Solid Waste Management Department said not recycling could cost the city thousands.
The city has an agreement with a local recycler to bring in 3,200 tons of paper, plastic, and cardboard a month. When the city falls short, it has to pay out a shortage fee.
That’s why officials launched its “Two More Pounds” campaign in May, asking residents to recycle two more pounds each week.
So far there has been mixed results.
In June, the city came up short, so it had to pay about $16,000. In July, there was no penalty. But in August, residents were short again. There is no word yet on how much it’ll cost this time.
“There’s really no excuse for any of us not to recycle,” said Bobby Sisneros with the Solid Waste Management Department. “It’s easy, it’s simple, and it’s good for everybody.”
Sisneros said the fees are a waste. The department would rather spend that money on new equipment or facility upgrades to better serve to community, officials said.
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