Sterling Heights

Recycle Sterling Heights touted in promotional campaign

By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

The city and its waste hauling contractor are encouraging residents to act now to ensure that a new curbside recycling service can start as planned this fall.

Waste Management has set a deadline of July 1 for enrolling 5,000 customers in the subscription-based Recycle Sterling Heights program to guarantee a September commencement date.

Patrick Greve, the company’s public sector solutions representative, expressed optimism that the city will meet the minimum threshold on schedule.

“We’ve had really good interest, I think,” he said in mid-June. “We’ve had about 1,500 people, residents, express their interest in it. I think we’re approaching 600 who have gone on the website and signed up.”

As part of a Waste Management-funded marketing campaign launched earlier this month, company representatives planned to attend various local events, such as Thursday night Music in the Park concerts, to interface with attendees, who can pick up informational materials and sign up on the spot.

“I think most people — who I talked to, anyways — were supportive of the program, glad it was available,” Greve said of the company’s first concert appearance June 7.

The city has displayed the information prominently on its website, and fliers outlining the details are available at all municipal buildings.

For residents paying annually, Recycle Sterling Heights costs $59.40, or $4.95 per month, plus a one-time $5 account set-up fee.

Quarterly billing is available, but residents choosing that payment method will incur additional administration and fuel surcharges, said Greve. The fees fluctuate based on postage and fuel prices; he estimated them currently at $1 and 80 cents, respectively.

Participants, who must commit to a minimum one-year term of service, will receive a 96-gallon cart in which to deposit recyclable materials for biweekly curbside retrieval. It’s single-stream, meaning all recyclables can be commingled in a single container.

Accepted materials include cardboard, paper bags, phone books, junk mail, magazines, catalogs, pizza boxes, newspapers, clear glass, grocery bags, metal pots and pans, cans and plastic containers.

Through an affiliated program, Recyclebank, participants can earn points redeemable for discounts at local and national retailers and restaurants. Points are allocated based on the volume of recyclables generated in the community.

According to Waste Management, the average Recyclebank member earns more than $150 per year in perks.

“I just think it’s going to be a very nice program for our residents,” said Community Relations Director Steve Guitar. “Curbside recycling has been probably the biggest request this Community Relations Department has seen over the years. It’s nice to finally be able to offer this program.”

Department of Public Works Director Sal Conigliaro agreed that the DPW has fielded abundant requests over the last several years, both from longtime Sterling Heights residents and newcomers relocating from cities where the service was standard.

“There’s a good portion of the population that’s has interest in it,” he said. “We’re excited to see this program go.”

The city’s three drop-off recycling centers — located on Clinton River Road, west of Schoenherr; on 15 Mile, west of Schoenherr; and on 18 Mile, west of Van Dyke — will remain operational even after the curbside service’s implementation.

“It offers the best of both worlds,” said Guitar. “Those who want to continue to use the recycling centers, the drop-off centers, can continue to do so, and don’t have to pay for this service. And those who want the convenience of curbside recycling can have it.

“The cost of less than $5 a month — you spend that much in gas, and your time” with the drop-off centers, he added.

It will be at Waste Management’s discretion whether to postpone implementation if enrollment figures fall short as of the stated July 1 deadline.

“We’d like to have those 5,000 by July 1,” said Greve, “but we continue to evaluate it with each passing day as sign-ups continue to grow.”

Guitar said he anticipates interest will continue to build, especially come fall, “when the trucks start rolling down the streets” and residents see the program in action.

Residents can sign up for the program by visiting www.sterling-heights.net or www.wm.com/wm/sterlingheights, or by calling (866) 797-9018.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1046.