CLEVELAND — Editor's note: The video in the player above is from a story published on June 21, 2021.
The City of Cleveland on Thursday announced that residents can now opt-in to a new recycling program after more than a year without a system in place.
According to a post made on the City of Cleveland's website, residents who are interested in partaking in the program must sign up by October 22 via the online form, or by calling (216) 664-3030.
“For more than a decade, my administration has worked to build and solidify Cleveland’s reputation as a ‘green City on a blue lake’” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “This opt in recycling program will help us to work alongside residents to establish a more efficient and sustainable waste and recycling collection process.”
The program was suspended in spring of 2020 due to a changing recycling market, as well as an inability to contract a recycling firm to take on the job, according to the city.
3News' Brandon Simmons spoke with several council members for the city of Cleveland in June about the issue, which they said at the time was unacceptable,no matter the reason.
"We don’t have time to waste with climate change and the environment. So we’ve got to figure this out and we’ve got to work with our community to properly recycle," says Councilman Kerry McCormack.
"Just about every other municipality is in the same boat. Everybody is trying to figure out what recycling looks like, how they’re going to go about it," adds Councilman Anthony Brancatelli.
You can enroll in the new recycling program, here.