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Despite cuts, many doubt recycling's demise

JANESVILLE — Most municipalities, especially larger cities, probably would continue to run recycling programs even if state funding is cut, a state Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman said.

Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget would lift the requirement that municipalities run recycling programs. The budget also would eliminate funding for local programs.

"Communities have been paying the bulk of recycling costs for a long time," said Ann Coakley, director of the state Waste and Materials Management Bureau.

Even though the requirement to run a recycling program would be eliminated, municipalities still might choose to provide the service, Coakley said.

"Recycling is well established in Wisconsin," she said. "Wisconsin has been a leader. We've been recycling for more than 20 years."

The recyclable materials are valuable and feed a system in Wisconsin that produces jobs, she said.

The proposed budget would not change laws that keep recyclable materials out of landfills.

Statewide, municipalities spent about $108.2 million on recycling in 2009, Coakley said. State grants covered 25 to 30 percent of that, reimbursing the 1,064 municipalities a total of $27.9 million.

Current law requires a separated collection for every community and mandates curbside collection in communities over a certain size.

Janesville's curbside, bi-weekly recycling pickup costs the city $800,000. That cost is partially offset by a $320,000 state grant.

John Whitcomb, Janesville's director of operations, said elimination of the mandate and associated grants would result in an interesting policy question for municipalities.

The decision would be left to Janesville's city council when it grapples with the 2012 budget.

Walker's budget would mean about $1 million less revenue for Janesville through cuts and caps. The city also is losing revenue in earnings from interest and building activity permits.

Julie Backenkeller, a member of the Sustainable Janesville Committee and longtime recycling advocate, said she didn't think people who recycle are going to stop recycling just because Walker is cutting funding.

Janesville's options range from keeping the status quo, changing the frequency of pickup, contracting with private services or requiring individuals to recycle themselves, she said.

"Everything's going to be put back on the table," Backenkeller said.

Milton, for instance, contracts with Waste Management, which picks up all garbage and then separates it.

Common sense tells people that recycling is a good program and should continue, Backenkeller said.

Walker's proposal is shortsighted, she said.

"Programs to protect the environment are not something to put on the chopping block, because once we ruin the environment, where is it that Scott Walker thinks we're moving to?" Backenkeller asked.