Refuse and Recycling Program (2010 LGAA)

City of Watervliet (Winner)
County: Albany County
Population: 10,001 to 50,000
City Hall: (518) 270-3800

The City of Watervliet, after decades of having its refuse and recycling picked up by outside contractors, felt the task could be performed more cost effectively and at a higher quality, and as a result started picking up its own refuse and recycling. The City appointed a committee of residents to write a new policy and implement the program.

The General Manager presided over six public meetings explaining the program, and the City then created the Department of Refuse & Recycling. The City now picks up refuse and recycling 4 days a week. Watervliet was the first municipality in the Capital Region to go to single stream recycling (all recyclable materials go in one bin), making it easier for residents to recycle. Recycling increased from 5 tons a week to 12 tons per week, and Watervliet gained control over refuse/recycling needs. Using its own employees the City was also able to add a personal touch to a facet of government that normally would be very impersonal.

As a result of the project, Watervliet's quality of life has increased dramatically. Forming the department of Refuse & Recycling allowed for the clean up of all parks, streets and public right of ways within the City. Refuse/recycling is collected Monday through Thursday, leaving Fridays to concentrate on cleaning the City. Residents have commented that parks are cleaner, streets neater, and public rights of way are pristine. Cleaner parks are utilized more by residents, and neater streets make a better impression on visitors.

Employees concentrate on picking up refuse and recycling, and the job is not rushed because their "customers" are only in the City. Missed containers don't have to wait for next week, since one call to the department informing them of the situation results in a truck going back to the resident to resolve the problem. The easier recycling is made, the more residents will recycle.

Finally, the City saved $96,362 in fiscal year 2009, the equivalent of a 3.5% tax decrease. Projected savings for the City over a four-year period are $421,630, since single stream recycling is a less expensive program to administer. The increase of six tons per week of recycling saved the City of Watervliet $16,848 in the first year. Municipalities that currently contract out for refuse/recycling pick-up can easily replicate this initiative in their own communities