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Voters Could Decide Whether to Mandate Recycling in San Diego

San Diego's Miramar Landfill is running out of space and time. More recycling would extend its life. But the city doesn't require people to recycle. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce says voters may decide the i

Voters Could Decide Whether to Mandate Recycling in San Diego

San Diego's Miramar Landfill is running out of space and time. More recycling would extend its life. But the city doesn't require people to recycle. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce says voters may decide the issue next year.

The San Diego City Council and Mayor Jerry Sanders have not agreed on a recycling plan. Now, City Attorney Mike Aguirre has proposed letting voters decide if the city should adopt mandatory recycling. A city council committee may consider that proposal later this summer. Aguirre's also crafted a recycling law. Councilwoman Donna Frye chairs the committee that considers that ordinance next month. She says the city's lack of recycling is embarrassing.

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Frye: This is not a surprise everybody knows about it. It's time to get serious about it.  And yes, if it requires mandatory measures, so be it.

Meanwhile, construction and demolition debris is not being recycled at the landfill. Mayor Sanders rejected a council mandate, calling it too expensive. While the Mayor and the Council continue talking trash, more of it piles up at the landfill. Ed Joyce, KPBS News.