Council Told City’s 60% Recycling Rate May Be State’s Best

A new waste-conversion program is doing so well that Villa Park may be the best recycling city in the state, a disposal company executive has told the City Council.

“Villa Park is now recycling 60% of its waste, and I believe that’s the highest for any city in the state and maybe in the entire United States,” said Dave Ault, board chairman of Anaheim-based Taormina Industries.

The company collects trash for Villa Park and seven other cities in Orange County.

Ault, in a recent report to the City Council, noted that Villa Park last year opted for a new “green-waste” recycling program in addition to its already established collection of recyclable paper, cans, plastic and bottles.

Green-waste recycling involves keeping yard, tree and garden trimmings in a separate container.

Taormina ships the green-waste recyclables to a commercial company that converts them into commercial compost and fertilizer.

Ault said that in the first three months of the new program in Villa Park, city residents cut landfill-destined waste almost in half.

“For those months--September, October and November--the city’s waste breakdown was 40% landfill-based, 25% regular recyclable and 35% yard waste [recyclable],” Ault said.

He added that the 35% of yard waste formerly would have been included with the nonrecyclable waste headed for landfills.

City residents now use three trash containers: one for nonrecyclables, one for paper, bottles, plastic and cans and one for yard waste.

Ault said he was amazed at the city’s quick, enthusiastic participation in the new yard waste diversion.

“About 98% of the city is taking part, and it’s a real, real solid effort by everyone,” Ault said.

He added that the recycling effort helps keep trash-hauling rates down since landfill costs must be passed on to homeowners.

Mayor Joseph S. Barsa said the city is pleased about its accomplishment.

“We’re really proud of this, and we think we’re way ahead of our time,” Barsa said.