One Week Into Savannah’s Recycling

It’s been a week since the City of Savannah kicked off its recycling program.
Last year, Savannah City Council approved spending close to two million dollars to start up the program.
For the past month, the city has been handing out recycling carts to those who live within city limits.
Last Monday was the first day for pickup but for some, carts were never emptied. Neighbors contacted News Three to find out what happened. 
We took their concerns to the city, who says they’re working out the kinks but a week later News Three is still receiving calls.
Some are confused about what day pickup is, and others like Kevin Jarriel are concerned about the mess it’s created.
He emailed us on our Facebook page, saying “I do find it very entertaining that in some neighborhoods the specified recycling trashcans are full of just normal trash.“
To address some of your concerns, News Three’s Community Reporter Alice Massimi sat down with the City of Savannah’s Head of Sanitation.

They now line the streets of Savannah.
Parked next to our garbage cans Savannah is officially a city that recycles.
“Week one was very challenging, very exciting. Also citizen participation has been great of course we had to make some adjustments to accommodate the increase in participation and those adjustments will be ongoing,” explains Stephanie Cutter the head of Sanitation.
So she is asking for your patience and says by following the directions it will all go smoothly.
One of the biggest things they want you to do, is just like your garbage cart, after it’s been emptied take it away from the curb.
That goes for the lanes also put your cart back in your yard unless of course they haven’t gotten to it yet.
“If we are behind schedule with recycling collection to leave them at the curb till we get there to service them.
Only put in the cart what belongs in the cart, there is a handy guide on top of each container detailing what can and can not go in.
“Keep only recycling materials inside of the recycling cart, garbage and yard clips should be kept outside.”
If garbage is put in a cart, like this one we found on 37th street it will not be picked up.   
“We will be leaving courtesy notices instructing the citizen as to what to do and inform them why their cart was not serviced.”
Just remember it’s a work in progress.
Now if you still have problems or questions about the recycling program you can call the City of Savannah at 3-1-1.