Westlake launches curbside clothing and soft recyclables program

Westlake residents will receive the announcement and recycling supplies for the new curbside textiles and soft recyclables recycling program before the start on Monday, Aug. 15.

The City of Westlake is launching a new recycling program to collect textiles and soft recyclables for its more than 32,000 residents on Aug. 15. Solon-based Simple Recycling will manage curbside pickup of the acceptable items on residents’ regular rubbish and recycling collection day. 

“We are aware that many residents may already donate their used clothing to charities and we would encourage them to continue,” said Mayor Dennis Clough. “However, as much as 85 percent of unwanted clothing often ends up in a landfill. This program is another way that we can help reduce this negative impact on our environment with minimal effort and at no cost to residents or the City.”

Residents are being notified by postcard this week. A packet containing the bags, labels and a letter from the mayor will arrive in homes the following week. Additional supplies will be provided as needed for those households participating in the program.

Acceptable items include men's, women's and children's clothing, shoes and slippers (in pairs), bedding, belts, books, fashion accessories, gloves, handbags, hats, kitchenware, linens, pillows, purses, stuffed animals, table linens, tools, towels and toys.

Unacceptable items are appliances, furniture, tires, paint, carpeting, mattresses, traditional recyclables (metal, glass, paper) and hazardous waste. However, some of these items are already collected in other City recycling or disposal programs.


New program joins city’s other recycling and safe disposal collections

“Over the years we have developed several programs for our residents to make it easier for them to recycle or properly dispose of items used in their homes,” said Paul Quinn III, Westlake’s director of Public Service. “We are using a variety of communication tools including signs posted in the City, the Mayor’s Newsletter, Nixle alerts, and our website as well as our Facebook and LinkedIn pages to let residents know when and how they can participate in each one.”



The Fall Computer Roundup from Monday, Aug. 15, to Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Service Center at 741 Bassett Road coincides with the launch of the Simple Recycling textile and soft recyclables curbside collection. The Fall Household Hazardous Waste Roundup runs Sept. 19-24. The spring collections take place in April and May, respectively. The parking lot at City Hall is the site of the annual Shredding Day held in June.

In addition to the new Simple Recycling curbside pickup program, the City’s Service Department conducts brush collection, Spring Yard Clean Up Days, Fall Leaf Collection and Christmas Tree pickups.

The leaves are taken to the Class IV compost site the City operates as a joint venture with the City of Bay Village. Approximately 58,000 yards of leaves are collected annually. The site processes and sells more than 6,000 yards of leaf humus and wood chips that are used in City projects.

Rumpke Waste and Recycling provides weekly curbside residential recycling, yard waste, some heavy and bulk refuse, and rubbish collection services for the City. Each residence can receive a free 18 gallon recycle bin for metal, glass and paper from the City or use its own container if it is clearly labeled “Recycling.”    

The Police Department participates in Operation Medicine Cabinet to collect unused or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. A locked container near its main entrance is provided. Liquids cannot be accepted; medications must be in solid form. 

More details about the Simple Recycling textile and soft recyclables program and other services provided by the Service Department can be found at www.cityofwestlake.org/service.

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Volume 8, Issue 15, Posted 9:05 AM, 08.02.2016