Shame on me for not following city business closer, and I know the City of Muskegon is in a tough position financially and has to make hard decisions. However, I was dismayed to learn this morning in a Muskegon Chronicle article that the city has cut its curbside recycling program. The fact that employees were also affected was not lost on me. I know there is a cost to this program and that recent market changes may have made the program more expensive. However, I believe recycling is an important service and that without this city program recycling will decrease in the city of Muskegon, due to the increased effort it will take to recycle (hauling to Community Recycling Services on Port City Blvd).
I believe many others agree that this is an important program. I am not sure of the process for the city to reconsider this decision but I believe a reconsideration is in order. To show that citizens care about this service I am asking people to add a comment to this blog post. If you care to also support efforts to reinstate the recycling program please indicate that, and then leave your full name, your address, whether you are a city resident or not, a dollar amount that you would be willing to have your taxes increased to enjoy curbside recycling, and any comment you have.
I plan to keep an inventory of supporters and attend a the next City Commission meeting June 23, 2009 at 5:30 and use the list of supporters as evidence that the city should reconsider its decision to cut curbside recycling.
For additional information on the benefits of curbside recycling programs please visit the Environmental Protection Agency website.
For more on the state of recyling in the Muskegon Area please visit a report prepared by the Muskegon Area Sustainability Coalition. PDF of report.
Thanks for your consideration.
Dan Rinsema-Sybenga
