City Proposes Mandatory Recycling for Residents and Businesses

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published August 30, 2007 at 11:14 AM PDT

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

Mayor Jerry Sanders recently announced his support for a proposal requiring San Diego residents to recycle their trash. We speak to reporter Alison St John and the city's recycling program manager abo

Tom Fudge: Recycling is the right thing to do. It's also state law. And today, San Diego barely meets the California mandate that it recycle 50 percent of its waste. In the near future, state law could become even more strict – requiring cities to recycle three-quarters of their waste stream. What's more, San Diego's Miramar landfill is running out of room. And it may close very soon if more waste can't be diverted to recycling.

This is why San Diego is working on an ordinance that would make recycling mandatory for homeowners, apartment buildings and businesses. The proposal recently got the mayor's support. City Attorney Michael Aguirre has been pushing for the law. Yesterday, KPBS reporter Alison St John attended a hearing where an outline for a recycling ordinance was discussed.

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Guests

Alison St John, metro reporter for KPBS News.

Stephen Grealy, recycling program manager with the City of San Diego's Environmental Services Department .