Fort Mill rolls out new recycling service

A company contracted to run recycling for Fort Mill began delivering last week new containers to every single family home.

The 95-gallon roll-out carts replace the 18-gallon bins residents had to carry to the curb. Residents can use the carts to recycle an array of materials, from plastic and glass bottles and cans, to newspapers, junk mail, shredded paper and hard plastics.

For years, town Public Works employees ran the recycling program, but a company called Waste Pro took over the operation Oct. 1. The change was made to better serve a growing population, according to town officials.

“With the growth of the community, and to continue the quality services provided by Public Works, it was decided to contract the recycling services to Waste Pro in which they could offer a 95 gallon roll-out container with lid,” town spokeswoman Caroline Hasty wrote in an email.

No town employees who previously worked in recycling lost their jobs, Hasty said. The cost to homeowners for the enhanced service rose from $14 a month to $18 a month, she said. Hasty said the town would have had to charge more than that if it wanted to offer the same level of service on its own.

Approximately 4,100 homes are served.

“The response has been great,” Hasty said. “Residents calling in have said that they really like the roll-out carts because of their size and that they have a lid on the cart.”

Residents who did not receive a new container can call 1-855-738-6778. For more information, go to fortmillsc.gov.

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 9:55 AM with the headline "Fort Mill rolls out new recycling service."