Recycling Changes Take Effect Wednesday

If you still haven't signed up for curbside recycling, have your plastic containers and cardboard ready to catch the last Saturday.

Currently, recycling bins are available to Oakland Township residents in the parking lot behind the each Saturday. Starting Wednesday, the township will limit the collection of recyclables to one Saturday per month.

In December, the Oakland Township Board of Trustees to save money. People misusing the recycling bins and nonresidents using the bins were also cited reasons for changing the program.

Trustee Kathrine Thomas looked into the alternatives and said the changes will save the township more than $23,000 compared to what it paid last year. Postcards were mailed to residents to inform them of the upcoming changes.

"Big things, big changes are going to save your township quite a bit of money," Thomas said.

Residents are advised to contact their waste hauling service if they have not already done so. Thomas found that five out of the six waste haulers that serve Oakland Township residents offer curbside recycling at no extra cost. Addison Disposal is the one trash hauler that does not. Township residents served by Addison will have to take their recyclables to Eagle Valley Landfill or the monthly collection bins at Township Hall.

"Hopefully everybody has checked with their trash haulers to see about recycling ... they're (already) paying for it so therefore why pay for your curbside while having your township pay for it, too?" Thomas said.

Need to know about new recycling program

• The issued to residents for use at Eagle Valley Landfill have been eliminated.
• Recyclables will be collected at Township Hall for four hours one Saturday each month and hauled away by a Waste Management compactor truck, as opposed to recyclables being collected weekly.
• The postcards that were issued are residents' key to dropping off their recyclables at Eagle Valley Landfill for free.
• Replacement postcards for residents can be picked up at .

The township signed a three-year contract with Waste Management for the amended services, and will also be continuing contracts with Waste Management to collect trash at , the on Rochester Road and the .

A schedule for the new township recycling dates is not yet available. For updates on the schedule, or for more information on the new program and licensed trash haulers, visit Oakland Township's website at www.oaklandtownship.org. Eagle Valley Landfill is located at 600 W. Silver Bell Rd. in Orion Township and residents can drop off their recyclables 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8-11:30 a.m. Saturday.