The Decatur City Commission is considering increasing sanitation fees for residents to offset the costs of recycling glass.

Under a proposal being considered at the commission’s June 6 meeting, residential collection fees would increase by $25 to $275 per year. If approved, glass recycling products would be placed in a separate container, provided by the resident, for collection instead of being mingled with other recycling products.

“The primary reason for the increased fee is a direct result of the additional costs for handling glass in order to deliver it to the appropriate secondary processor in a condition they will accept,” a memo from assistant City Manager David Junger says.

During the March 21 City Commission meeting, Junger told city commissioners that Pratt Industries of Conyers, Ga. has informed the city that effective June 1 it will no longer accept recycling materials that contain glass. The city’s agreement with contractor Latham Home Sanitation requires pick up of glass recycling through June 30.

Other governments in the metro area are reconsidering their recycling practices in light of the problems associated with glass. DeKalb County recently signaled it may stop taking glass products. Avondale Estates has already stopped accepting glass. The problem is that broken glass contaminates other recyclable materials.

The June 6 City Commission meeting will be held at City Hall, located at 509 North McDonough Street. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.

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