Title
To declare June 17, 2014 to be Refuse Collection Employees Appreciation Day in the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus Division of Refuse Collection has 217 employees who work diligently to provide weekly trash service to 334,360 households, collecting trash 52 weeks a year, regardless of the weather conditions; and
WHEREAS, last year, the Division of Refuse Collection disposed of 286,942 tons of trash at the Franklin County Landfill, replaced 7,140 refuse containers and repaired 6,212 more containers, and collected bulk trash on a total of 85,494 scheduled bulk collections; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Refuse Collection has fleet of 184 collection vehicles, including 85 automated side loading trucks, 25 rear loading trucks, 30 front box trucks, 14 manual side loading trucks and 13 knuckle boom trucks; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Refuse Collection also manages the City's contract with Rumpke to provide residential recycling. From the program's inception in June 2012 through April 30, 2014, the recycling program has recycled 52,419 tons of recyclables, saving $2.9 million in tipping fees; and
WHEREAS, in 2013 alone, 42,026 tons of recyclables and 31,245 tons of yard waste were collected in Columbus and diverted from the Franklin County Landfill; and
WHEREAS, as of June 1, 2014, approximately 201,093 blue 64-gallon recycling carts have been distributed to Columbus households for participation in the City's residential recycling programs; and
WHEREAS, each year, the Division of Refuse Collection collaborates with The Ohio State University to provide 16 free bulk trash drop-off locations in the campus area during the annual student move-out/move-in period. Last year, this service collected almost 2,000 tons of bulk items; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Refuse Collection has one Solid Waste Inspector who addresses illegal dumping in the City of Columbus. This inspector also supervises litter cleanups conducted by Community Service Workers. In 2013, the Solid Waste Inspector supervised 16 community-service-worker cleanups which included 69 workers who picked up 9.4 tons of litter and debris; and
WHEREAS, through these tireless and innovative efforts, the dedicated employees of the Division of Refuse Collection play an essential role in keeping the environment we live in clean and healthy. For their integral part in maintaining the public health, safety and welfare, refuse collection employees are indeed deserving of recognition; and
WHEREAS, whether it is picking up litter or actively recycling, residents must also have role in keeping our neighborhoods clean and our environment safe. On this day of special recognition and year-round, everyone should remember to follow City Code. Bag your trash before you put it in the container, don't put construction materials, furniture or yard waste in the trash container, and if you see litter on the ground, do your part and pick it up; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby honor and recognize the employees of the Division of Refuse Collection, and declare June 17, 2014 to be Refuse Collection Employees Appreciation Day in the City of Columbus.