City-wide recycling in Blytheville has been a long, slow process, but the July 1 mandatory date is creeping up quickly.
Blytheville City Councilwoman Shirley Connealy is expected to introduce an ordinance tonight that would officially establish a recycling program in the city of Blytheville.
The proposed ordinance says a recycling program would extend the life of the Mississippi County landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve the environment.
"Recycling will allow products to be manufactured from said recycling materials resulting in less pollution, lower trash bills and fewer trash pickups," the proposal reads.
Included in the recycling program would be cardboard, glass, tin, aluminum, newspapers, plastic and all paper products, if the proposal passes.
It would require each owner or occupant of a Blytheville residence to separate the designated recyclables from other refuse and deliver the recyclables to a designated drop-off site, determined by Public Works.
One recycling site would be provided by Nu-Way Recycling on Division. Paper products may currently be taken to Nu-Way or the Blytheville Courier News, located on Broadway Street.
The proposal says motor oil should be taken to Public Works for disposal.
Prior to the effective date, the city and Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce will educate the citizens on Blytheville on the recycling program, according to the proposal.
"This recycling is sort of like eating an elephant," Connealy said in March, speaking to the Blytheville Rotary Club. "You just take one bite at a time. There are so many things that you don't think about until you start getting into it. I've been in and out of this thing for about five years."
Kathy Cooper, who has been chairman of the Chamber's Pride In Property Committee, has been instrumental in the Chamber's push for recycling, an effort that began several years ago.
"We're laying ground work," Cooper said in March, noting then she envisioned the city have a wonderful recycling program one day.
The city will only take No. 1 and No. 2 plastics -- the type of plastic is identified inside the universal recycling symbol.
There are a variety of items that use No. 1 or No. 2 plastics, including water bottles, milk jugs, lotion containers, pill bottles and microwave dinner trays.
Some fast-food trays are recyclable, though the lids usually are not.
Cardboards include most any box, such as those for cereals, crackers, tooth pastes, aspirin, etc.
Connealy noted recyclable paper cannot get wet or soiled. Styrofoam is not recyclable.
Connealy said recycling will cut down on trips to the landfill, which costs the city around $200,000 a year.
Others items on the City Council agenda tonight include:
-- An ordinance extending the time limit for the DROP plan for police officers. If approved the DROP plan will extend from five years to 10 years. The DROP plan requires officers to retire after a certain time upon entering it.
-- An ordinance setting amounts for sprinkler and law irrigation systems.
-- A resolution condemning certain structures (621 Walnut, whose owner of record is Susan S. Zimmerman of Colorado).
-- Resolutions appointing Bruce Daniels and Lawana Jellison to the Blytheville Museum Commission and commending Curtis Walker and Courtney Fisher for their service on the board.
-- Resolutions commending Dana Austin and Ann Issacson for their service on the Blytheville Historic Commission. Both women's terms expired May 1.
-- A resolution supporting sustained and increased funding for Preserve America
-- A resolution reappointing Pam Blankenship to the Blytheville Historic District Commission.
The Blytheville City Council will meet at 5 tonight in the Municipal Courtroom.
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com