Group seeks return of city curbside recycling

CHILLICOTHE – An online petition has been initiated as part of an effort by a group of citizens seeking the return of curbside recycling in the city that one elected official says he supports but stressed there are several factors officials must first consider.

The petition created on www.ipetitions.com is being supported by a group known as Citizens for Curbside Recycle Pickup in Chillicothe, Ohio, and hopes to reach 1,000 signatures. As of Sunday afternoon, 74 signatures had been collected.

Many comments listed on the website indicate a great need for curbside recycling, which once occurred in Chillicothe but was eventually eliminated.

“It’s been over a decade since Chillicothe had curbside pickup. Such a shame that the city’s leaders are so dense they don’t realize this is a huge problem,” one comment reads.

One woman, identified as Kayla Myers, also weighed in on the issue and expressed support for curbside recycling to make a return.

“Providing recycling options to the citizens of Chillicothe is the right thing to do. As citizens, we have a responsibility to the environment and future generations to preserve this planet of ours that we call home,” Myers said.

Chillicothe City Councilman Dave Tatman said he supports the proposed move and believes it is feasible, but he noted that the cost of working with Rumpke was too expensive for the city to pursue after initial discussions about curbside recycling were raised last year.

However, he stressed the city could perform the task itself but said the cost of getting it started would be difficult, as it would require special trucks to pick up recyclables in Chillicothe.

Regardless, Tatman said, “it should be done,” and he hopes it will be a major priority for the individual elected as mayor beginning in 2016.

The issue also is something Tatman thinks the city needs to revisit, he said, adding that the previous recycling program in Chillicothe was done away with because of the costs and a lack of participation.

“It’s going to take a better effort for the city and the citizens to get it done right,” Tatman said. “Something needs to be done. My hope is that we can get a program going.”

For more information on the online petition, visit www.ipetitions.com/petition/recycle-chillicothe.