Rexburg recycling to expand

After a two-month trial period in two neighborhoods, the Rexburg City Council has approved moving forward with a city-wide curbside recycling program. The city will spend about $170,000 to buy a baler and household containers.

The program will expand city-wide after the equipment is on hand later this year.

Under a cooperative agreement, Brigham Young University-Idaho students will sort and transport collected recyclables. Revenues generated through the sale of those products will be used to hire student workers and pay transportation costs.

During a two month test period, BYU-Idaho project manager Eric Conrad reported 23 percent to 25 percent participation in a trial area. The program’s initial goal is 30 percent overall participation. He estimates recycling will save the city $90,000 per year by keeping recyclables out of Rexburg’s overall waste cycle.