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Public Services Director Jon Eckel said this week that recycling in the city has increased more than 72 percent by weight since the new system - which involves separate wheeled toters for recyclables and trash - was inaugurated on Earth Day, April 22.
Prior to the new system, recycling in the city stood at 18 percent by weight; it is now at 31 percent.
"So everything we hoped to do so far is happening."
The system, which additionally uses automated trucks along with the toters, is expected to save the city $300,000 annually.
Eckel noted that Best Equipment, which is working with the refuse operation, told them this is "the smoothest operation and transition that they have ever seen in their history of doing business." The company was additionally impressed by the public relations and training efforts utilized to bring the automated system about.
