Twenty years after curbside recycling began in the Iowa Quad Cities, some major changes are in the works. This week, the Waste Commission of Scott County asked the county board for help in changing from a "dual stream" to a "single stream" system.
Commission spokewoman Brandy Welvaert says currently residents of Davenport and Bettendorf separate their recyclables - paper on one side or in one bin, and metal and plastic in the other. With the change, everything would be put in one container, and more types of plastic would be accepted.
Currently only number 1 and 2 plastics are accepted, but their goal is to add numbers 3 through 7.
Welvaert says the cost of changing to single stream would be about 10 million dollars, including new equipment, and 50,000 new carts for homes in Davenport and Bettendorf.
If county supervisors approve, she says the new system could start working next July (2016).
Residents of the Illinois Quad Cities already use a single stream system for their curbside recycling.
