Balanced Recycling in the City of Blue Ash

The City of Blue Ash’s strong residential recycling program has found a unique balance between curbside recycling service and drop-off recycling. Even though Blue Ash residents receive curbside recycling service at no extra cost in single-family homes, more than half of the residential recycling comes from their well-established drop-off program. Blue Ash offers four conveniently located drop-offs for residents in apartments and for residents with more recyclables that their bin can hold.

And the residents’ commitment to recycling has not gone unnoticed. In November 2008, The City of Blue Ash received the Best Community Recycler Award for achieving the highest recycling rate of any large community in Hamilton County during 2007. In 2008, Blue Ash increased their recycling even more to achieve a 24.97% recycling rate, the third highest recycling rate of any community in Hamilton County.

In 2009, Blue Ash has taken recycling even further by purchasing permanent recycling containers for their downtown area, city parks, and outdoor recreation areas. The City will also purchase portable recycling containers for their numerous city events. These containers will not only divert recyclables and reduce the City’s waste but will also communicate to residents and visitors, the commitment Blue Ash has for recycling.

Apart from the traditional recyclables, the Service Department offers expanded services that make Blue Ash unique. Residents can bring their hazardous materials, like automotive fluids and mercury, to the Service Department for proper disposal. The Service Department also provides curbside pickup of appliances with Freon and holds a semiannual clean up day for disposal of other items.

Blue Ash promotes recycling in their community newsletter and on their website.

City of Wyoming

Tucked away in the very center of Hamilton County, the charming City of Wyoming owns the distinction of having the highest recycling rate of any Hamilton County community in 2007, by diverting 25.02% of their waste stream.

Wyoming works hard to maintain the recycling rate by regularly promoting recycling in their monthly newsletter and at community events. They attribute their high participation to the fact that residents do not pay an extra fee for curbside recycling service. The recycling program also has strong support from City Council and committed residents who enthusiastically advocate for the program. Wyoming even hosts a website devoted exclusively to recycling that was designed by the city’s Solid Waste Commission.

The City of Wyoming was also one of the first communities in Hamilton County to join the Go Green Challenge. Wyoming has the goals of improving residents’ awareness of their environmental impact, maintaining the highest recycling rate of any community in Hamilton County, and reducing the impact of the city’s fleet on the environment. In 2007, the City of Wyoming recycled 1,018 tons of material. Congratulations to the City of Wyoming for their recycling achievements.