DEBATE: COUNCIL EXAMINES TRASH LAW

The Cape Girardeau Public Works Department Monday defended its solid-waste and recycling efforts against criticism launched against the program since its inception last fall.

A report on the city's compliance with a Missouri law that limits the amount and types of waste permitted in landfills was included on the agenda for Monday's city council meeting.

But prior to the city staff presentation, Councilman Doug Richards questioned whether the solid waste law actually mandates efforts to reduce solid wastes, or merely "suggests" them.

The city last year implemented the recycling program as part of its plan to meet the requirements of the state law (referred to as Senate Bill 530), which apparently includes reduction of all waste going to Missouri landfills by 40 percent by 1998.

"Nowhere in Senate Bill 530 I've read it through I find nowhere where it says 40 percent is mandated by law," Richards said.

The councilman said he talked recently with an official at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources who also said the 40 percent reduction is merely a "goal" set for 1998.

But city staff and other council members questioned how the 70-page statute could be considered a goal or suggestion.

Assistant City Manager Al Stoverink said he's attended several meetings with the DNR's top officials, who all refer to SB 530 as a mandate.

Public Works Director Doug Leslie cited several items in the law that refer to a 40 percent mandate, and added that he's been told by waste management officials throughout the state that the items are required, not suggested guidelines.

"I don't feel the legislature would have devoted this much time and effort to a bill, then made it a statute, if it's just a set of suggestions," he said. "We do take this seriously and not as a pie in the sky goal that we can dismiss if we choose to."

But Richards said he wanted "a ruling from somebody. I personally don't think a 40 percent reduction is required," he said. "If there's a question on it, it should be answered because it's going to affect what we do."

Doug Kaminskey, the city's environmental services coordinator, gave the council a status report on the city's solid waste program.

He said residents have complied "quite well" with the city's new recycling program, which includes weekly curb-side recycling collections.

Kaminskey said common questions residents have had include the limited hours available for citizens to drop of recyclable material at the recycling center and whether the program could be run with only one recycling pickup each week.

He said expanding the recycling center's hours would require additional staff and might result in a glut of materials on those days. He said the center already is nearing capacity.

Kaminskey said maintaining weekly recycling collection assures greater participation and a steady flow of material throughout the month at the center.

Since recycling started in October, Kaminskey reported that a total of about 500,000 pounds of materials have been collected, which has generated $6,800 for the city. The solid waste division budget is $158,364.

Kaminskey said the figures represent a reduction of about 25 percent of the amount of wastes going to the landfill.