COMMERCE CITY – Recycle conscious citizens will no longer have to store their recyclables long-term in their garage or trunk once curbside recycling is implemented Jan. 1.

    Under a new contract with Waste Management, city residents will have free trash pickup and recycling in 2009. The new contract includes nearly 1,500 more homes that were not previously part of the city’s refuse collection program.­ Residents of apartment complexes and trailer parks are not included under the expanded program.

    Recycling bins will be distributed to residents in four phases, beginning Dec. 10. Included inside the recycling bins will be information on what to recycle and pickup schedules. The recycle program will begin in January, with pickup for recyclables every two weeks the same day as refuse collection.

     “Our residents told us they wanted a recycling option and City Council is responding,” Mayor Paul Natale said. “The city’s best opportunity to obtain a favorable rate for recycling was to include it in the overall bid for refuse collection.”

    Although the city is moving to curbside recycling it will retain its existing recycle drop off center at 7450 state Highway 2. Recycling services have been added to the city’s trash pickup service in response to feedback from residents who want more earth-friendly options for refuse collection.

    The additional recycling service will not be charged to residents next year; it will be paid for by the city, as directed by the City Council. While recycling is not mandatory, resident participation is strongly encouraged to ensure the city can maintain a cost-effective and responsible program long-term. City Council directed staff to monitor citizen utilization of the program in 2009 and evaluate the city’s ability to fully fund the program in 2010 and beyond as growth in the city occurs and costs increase.

    With the new program, residents will need to separate recyclables from other household garbage. The recycle program itself, however, is “single stream,” meaning recyclable materials such as plastics #1-7, aluminum and or various types of paper may be placed in one bin for pickup.

    Adding curbside recycling service is the latest in the city’s efforts to become more environmentally friendly. The city’s new Civic Center highlights other efforts. The center is built to silver LEED certification standards for a “green” building, and features savings in lighting, water and energy use.