Recycle Ann Arbor's Drop-Off Station scales back hours to address budget deficit
A budget deficit has forced Recycle Ann Arbor's Drop-Off Station to reduce its hours of operation starting March 1, scaling back from five to three days a week, the city said.
The change will also lengthen evening hours to make the center more convenient, the city said. The nonprofit's new hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The center is located at 2950 E. Ellsworth Road.
Melinda Uerling is CEO of Recycle Ann Arbor
Recycle Ann Arbor CEO Melinda Uerling said in a news release that the center has been operating at a deficit for more than a year after losing funding from the county, city, and neighboring communities.
In January 2010, the Drop-Off Station implemented a $3 user fee, but revenues from that have not offset the difference, Uerling said. More detailed budget figures were not immediately available.
“The $3 entry fee brought in some revenue but also reduced customer traffic, and did not recoup the lost funds,” Uerling said in the release. “We attempted something unusual for a full-service, 5-days-per-week public recycling drop-off site — that is, operating entirely without public funding — but unfortunately, it was not a workable model.”
Uerling said she expects the Drop-Off Station to continue providing the same services, but on a more limited basis each week. Businesses and residents use the center to dispose of a wide range of papers and containers, as well as harder-to-recycle materials like electronics, Styrofoam, fluorescent light bulbs, Freon appliances, automotive fluids, rechargeable batteries, and hardcover books.
The location also accepts scrap metals, construction debris, yard waste and trash. It sells bulk quantities of municipal compost and wood mulch.
To help bolster use of the Drop-Off Station, city residents who are signed up for the new Recyclebank.com recycling rewards program are eligible to download two free passes to the Drop-Off Station as one of their reward options, the city said.
Details on the materials accepted and fees assessed at the Drop-Off Station are posted online at www.recycleannarbor.org or are available by phone at 734-662-6288.
Comments
Ron Granger
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 6:08 p.m.
@ poohbah: "You should know that if you are not paying taxes in the city where you're using the "free" recycling centers, you are iin violation of the law. What you're doing is called "larceny by conversion."" Nice try, but an incorrect assumption. The rules at the drop-off don't stipulate any residential restriction.
poohbah
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.
Ron... You should know that if you are not paying taxes in the city where you're using the "free" recycling centers, you are iin violation of the law. What you're doing is called "larceny by conversion."
Ron Granger
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 3:28 p.m.
The $3 fee was a terrible concept. And now it is a proven failure. What a surprise. It unfairly penalizes those with small cars. I have a truck, so that isn't a problem - except when it is. Like when I was recently cleaning out my storage unit and it mades sense to recycle my cardboard in two trips. I understand the intent of making the center self-sufficient. However, it is so *pathetic* that the city of Ann Arbor, with the high taxes, does not have a free recycle drop-off solution for tax-paying residents. For years, a friend in Dearborn would bring her recycling to Ann Arbor. Why don't we charge out of city customers more? I ended up recycling my cardboard in another city, in a self-serve drive up container. No lines, no hassle, and free. Way better than recycle ann arbor. The system of charging for bags of garbage also seems flawed. Highly compressible bags are charged the same as dense bags. And the per-bag charge is very high. In other cities, weight based charges seem far more reasonable. And the deep discounts (and priority) given to contractors, etc, seem unfair.
Carol
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 2:55 p.m.
My business, Encore Online Resale, has reused packing peanuts from RAA's drop-off center for years. RAA provided this service as a courtesy - they can not recycle peanuts or bubble wrap, so let those of us who could use them pick them up on a first-come, first-served basis. We bought an annual pass last year for the privilege. Since the institution of the drop-off fees, though, we've seen a big decline in supply. If you or anyone you know of regularly gets shipments packed in air packs, peanuts or bubble wrap and would like to recycle rather than throw them in the trash, please send them our way! Drop them off at the store (1958 S. Industrial Hwy, Mon-Sat. 10am-6pm), or we'll be happy to arrange to pick them up. Call 734-761-6187 for more info.
racerx
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 6:25 a.m.
LOL! Paying $3 to haul your own garbage to the Recycle Center, but leave it at the curb and its free?!? Oh this is sooo...rich!
limmy
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 1:30 a.m.
Sorry to hear this. I go there a lot and yes, I do pay the $3. Ironically, where I live, dumping everything in the garbage can is more cost effective. They only pick up recycling every other week and there is an extra fee. The recycle center is very well run and I am glad that it is there.
John of Saline
Mon, Feb 21, 2011 : 1:19 a.m.
Have they looked at sponsorships? I bet some local companies would pay to have a banner over the entrance: "This month's recycling visits FREE courtesy of (name here)" or something.
logo
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 9:10 p.m.
Too bad this is happening. The biggest drop off was in county funding last year but I would guess that with the great new carts in the city just about everything that will fit in one is being recycled. But the bigger stuff of course is another matter. Most recyclers that would make the trip are pretty dedicated, the $3 won't stop them. Then again city residents can use the free passes and the recycle center gets reimbursed by the company.
Linda Peck
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 10:42 p.m.
Free passes? Mmm, I am a resident and I pay $3 each time I drive through. Thanks for the tip. I will investigate.
snoper
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
I am shocked, shocked I tell you to learn that charging people three dollars to load their own cars up with garbage and drive it across town and unload it resulted in "less traffic". Who could have foreseen this? Anyone with half a brain. The bigger question is how much more stuff got dumped in the landfill that could have been recycled because people did not want to pay the three dollars.
Ann English
Sun, Feb 20, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
Thanks for the news on days open after this month, and no surprises are in store regarding the entry fee.