THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 30, 1996 TAG: 9605300005
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 39 lines
Amonth after Virginia Beach said it was terminating its curbside recycling deal with Southeastern Public Service Authority because SPSA decreed a curbside-pickup recycling fee, the authority voted to cut the fee.
Virginia Beach is standing fast, however, refusing to rejoin the rest of the region in curbside recycling when the present agreement expires on June 30.
This is not the neighborly thing to do. Comprehensive waste recycling throughout the region is beneficial to all residents and the environment, but SPSA's largest customer seems intent on going its own way on this issue.
The city had been critical of SPSA's limited service long before the most recent stalemate. But it was a $1-per-house fee approved by SPSA in April that gave city officials a reason to bow out.
Since the announcement of a pullout, a recycling debate has raged in the resort city. City officials have repeatedly assured the public that curbside recycling will return - perhaps in a year - and it will be a far-better system than what SPSA offers now.
In the meantime, Virginia Beach is expanding its drop-off facilities and relying on the dedication of recyclers to do it themselves. Only the hopelessly naive believe recycling won't dwindle in Virginia Beach when curbside collection is scuttled.
But since the city seems unlikely to rejoin SPSA, it's up to residents to hold the officials' feet to the fire on this issue. The city has pledged to explore its own curbside-pickup recycling program. The public should demand periodic reports on the progress of this study and request updated estimates of when it will begin.
Unfortunately, the city's stopping and restarting curbside collection will cause many residents to get out of the habit of recycling. It will take time for everyone to get on board with any new curbside program.
Assuming there is one. by CNB